"Do you think this is what? A college newspaper? This is The Urban Observer, we need exclusives and bombshells!" Catherine Howard's voice echoed through the office, her sharp gaze piercing Emily's skin like knives.
Emily Grey bit her lower lip hard, suppressing the urge to argue back. Three months after graduation, she had already learned that arguing with the industry's famous "Iron Lady" was pointless.
"I understand, Ms. Howard, but an in-depth report on urban planning also has value..."
"Enough!" Catherine interrupted, her slender fingers tapping on the desk, red nails like bloodied claws. "You either bring me news that makes hearts race, or you can write about lost cats for the community section." She pushed over a file, "Leaf Falls Town, three so-called 'beast attacks.' Police are being evasive, witness descriptions contradict each other. Go figure it out."
Emily took the file, her heart racing. This was her first important assignment.
"Deadline?"
Catherine's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: "Three days from now. Don't disappoint me, Grey." Her gaze slid over Emily, "You have potential, but potential needs to be proven."
That gaze sent an unusual shiver through Emily, both nervous and somewhat excited to be recognized.
Leaving the office, Emily took a deep breath. Colleague Jack passed by, patting her shoulder sympathetically: "Howard torturing the newbie again? Don't worry, she's like that with everyone."
"She seems to be specifically targeting me," Emily sighed.
"That means she values you," Jack winked. "Last intern who annoyed her got sent away before even entering her office."
Back at her desk, Emily browsed the case files. The claw marks in the photos were alarmingly large, and the victims' wounds were strange—not like tears, but... precise cuts?
Her phone vibrated, a text from her mother: "Darling, I heard you're going to Leaf Falls Town? Be careful, that place is... special."
Emily frowned in confusion. Her mother had always avoided talking about that town before she passed away.
During lunch, Catherine unexpectedly sat across from her: "Ready, Grey?"
"As much as possible, Ms. Howard."
"Call me Catherine, in private." The older woman's voice was much softer, "This assignment is special, there's a reason I chose you."
"What reason?"
Catherine's fingers lightly brushed Emily's wrist, the touch unusually warm: "Intuition. There's a... quality about you. Leaf Falls Town needs eyes like yours."
That touch sent a strange current through Emily, making her unconsciously hold her breath.
Catherine stood up, resuming her professional demeanor: "Departure tomorrow, expenses approved. Remember, I want exclusives."
While packing in the evening, Emily discovered a never-opened box among her father's belongings. Inside was an ancient silver necklace, with a wolf-head pendant whose eyes were embedded with amber gems. On impulse, she put it on.
Her reflection in the mirror seemed subtly changed, her eyes gleaming unusually in the twilight. Outside, the new moon had just risen, and in three days it would be a full moon night. Emily had no idea that this simple assignment would completely change her life, and that wolf-head necklace was just the beginning.