The dim, smoky haze of the "Moonlit Howl" bar was Zara's second home. The clinking of glasses, the murmur of hushed conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter provided a comforting rhythm to her evenings. Tonight, as she wiped down the counter, her mind wandered. Tonight, she felt a bit restless. Something is akin to happen. But she blamed the unsettling feeling on the full moon.
Tonight is no different with the other night. Regulars come, tipping her good tips, enough to help with her college. So, she would not depend too much on her aunt. Her aunt (her mother's sister) had been raising her since her parents died ten years ago in a car accidents.
She'd always felt a bit different, a bit...otherworldly. A strange pull to the moon, an inexplicable strength, and an acute sensitivity to certain smells were just a few of the quirks that had marked her life. But she'd chalked them up to odd genes or a vivid imagination. Even her aunts said, she is a special child, she got her good genes from her parents.
A sudden commotion near the entrance jolted her back to reality. A group of burly men, their faces etched with menace, had stormed in. Their leader, a hulking figure with piercing eyes, demanded a private room. The bartender, a nervous wreck, quickly obliged.
Zara watched the group with a growing unease. There was something about their aura, a predatory intensity that sent shivers down her spine. As they disappeared into the private room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she should do something.
Later that night, as she was closing up, she heard a low growl emanating from the private room. Curiosity piqued, she cautiously approached the door. Through a crack, she saw a monstrous creature, towering over the others.
Suddenly, the door burst open. The creature lunged at her, its claws outstretched. Instinct took over. She dodged the attack, her reflexes sharper than she'd ever imagined. A primal strength surged through her, and she retaliated with a ferocity that surprised even herself.
The creature howled in pain, its grip loosening. In a flash, Zara had pinned it to the ground. As she gazed into its fear-filled eyes, she realized the truth: she wasn't just human. The moon, the strength, the heightened senses – it all made sense now. She is not just a mere human.
Just as she was about to deliver the final blow, a deep, authoritative voice echoed through the bar. "Enough."
A tall, imposing figure emerged from the shadows. His eyes, a piercing shade of gold, held an ancient power. He was different from the creature, more refined, more controlled. As he approached, Zara felt a strange connection to him, a recognition that went beyond words.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"I'm Zane," he replied, his voice smooth and confident. "And you, my dear, are much more than you think."