Chapter 2

The Crescent Moon was werewolf territory, a club that pulsed with supernatural energy and barely contained violence. Luna felt every eye on Marcus as they entered together, his vampire nature marking him as both predator and prey in a room full of wolves.

She'd chosen her outfit carefully—a black dress that hugged every curve and would scandalize the pack elders while making it clear that Marcus was under her protection. Let them talk. She was done hiding what she wanted.

"You came," she said, appearing at Marcus's side.

"I gave my word."

Luna led him through the crowd to a private booth in the back, sliding in beside him instead of across from him. Her thigh pressed against his, and she felt the tension radiating from his carefully controlled form.

"The missing females," she said without preamble, "they all had one thing in common. They were all seeing vampires."

Marcus tensed beside her. "You think this is about mixed relationships?"

"I think someone's targeting couples like us." Her hand found his thigh under the table, and she felt his muscles turn to stone beneath her touch. "The question is, are you willing to play bait?"