The weight of the Onyx Moon enveloped New Orleans, its eerie glow stretching shadows unnaturally across the cobblestone streets. The French Quarter buzzed with laughter and jazz, yet beneath it all, there was an unmistakable heaviness in the air—an electric presence that set the night apart. For those attuned to the supernatural, this moon was like a silent drumbeat, awakening instincts long buried.
Inside Opium, the nightclub thrummed with restless energy. The bass from the speakers rattled glasses and made the dim, violet lights tremble. Isolde Winterbourne stood behind the bar, her small frame almost lost in the chaos. "Just tired, I guess," she muttered to Jamie, her coworker, trying to explain her unease. But the truth was, the Onyx Moon pressed on her more forcefully than usual, stirring something sharp and urgent within her.
The doors burst open, and the noise in Opium faltered as Alex Kane made his entrance. The Alpha's mere presence commanded respect; his broad shoulders and piercing blue eyes seemed to dominate the room. He moved with quiet confidence, his presence louder than any shout. Every wolf in the room instinctively lowered their gaze, not just out of respect but fear.
Alex approached the bar, his gaze sweeping over the patrons before pausing on Isolde. Her heart skipped a beat, and she focused intently on the glass in her hands, hoping to remain unseen. The air around him rippled with authority, and "Whiskey," he ordered, his tone clipped. She let out a shaky breath as Jamie hurried to comply, grateful for the reprieve from his intense gaze.
Isolde's thoughts drifted as she continued her work. She had been at Opium for three years, and Alex Kane had never once spoken to her. His reputation for ruthlessness was well-known, and she was content to remain in the background. Yet, the Onyx Moon's pull was undeniable, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.
The night wore on, and Isolde worked diligently to remain unnoticed. Alex eventually turned his attention elsewhere, and the room slowly returned to its usual rhythm. But the weight of the Onyx Moon lingered, promising that this night was only the beginning of something far more profound.
