MOONLIT RECKONING

Augie Rodriguez stepped out of the rain-soaked night and into the dimly lit bar, the neon signs outside casting a gaudy glow on the wet pavement. He scanned the room, his eyes adjusting to the smoky atmosphere, and spotted his contact in the corner, nursing a whiskey on the rocks.

Augie made his way through the crowd, his movements fluid and deliberate, earning a few curious glances from the patrons. He was a tall, imposing figure, with sharp features and piercing green eyes that seemed to bore into those he met. His dark hair was cropped short, revealing a scar above his left eyebrow, a souvenir from a past encounter.

The contact, a scrawny man named Vinnie, looked up and nodded curtly as Augie approached. "Augie, thanks for coming," Vinnie said, his voice laced with a nervous twitch.

Augie slid into the booth, his eyes locked on Vinnie. "What's the job?" he asked, his deep voice firm and commanding.

Vinnie hesitated, glancing around the bar before leaning in closer. "We got a rogue alpha on our hands, Augie. Been terrorizing the countryside, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake."

Augie's expression turned grim. "What makes you think I'm the right man for the job?"

Vinnie shrugged. "You're the best hunter we've got, Augie. And this one...this one's different. It's like nothing we've ever seen before."

Augie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Vinnie leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's like it's toying with us, Augie. Leaving clues, taunting us. And the bodies...they're not just killed, they're mutilated. Like it's trying to send a message."

Augie's grip on his glass tightened, his mind racing with the implications. He had dealt with rogue werewolves before, but this sounded different. This sounded personal.

"I'm in," Augie said finally, his voice firm. "When do I start?"

Vinnie nodded, relief etched on his face. "I'll give you the details. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight."

Augie nodded, downing his whiskey in one swift motion. He knew what he was getting himself into. He knew the risks. But he also knew he couldn't walk away. Not from this. Not from the thrill of the hunt.

Augie stepped out of the bar, the cool night air a welcome respite from the smoky atmosphere. He lit a cigarette, taking a long drag as he gazed out into the darkness. The rain had let up, leaving behind a misty veil that shrouded the city.

He thought back to Vinnie's words, the image of the mutilated bodies etched in his mind. He had seen some gruesome things in his line of work, but this sounded different. This sounded calculated.

Augie's phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the spell. He answered, listening intently to Vinnie's voice on the other end.

"Augie, I'm sending you the details now. Be careful, this one's got everyone spooked."

Augie nodded, even though Vinnie couldn't see him. "Got it."

He hung up, pulling out his phone to scan the files Vinnie had sent. The photos showed a trail of destruction, bodies torn apart with surgical precision. Augie's gut told him this was more than just a rogue alpha - this was something sinister.

The files also included a location, a small town a few hours outside the city. Augie memorized the details, his mind already racing with strategies.

He arrived at the warehouse just before midnight, the building looming above him like a specter. Vinnie was already there, pacing nervously in the shadows.

"Augie, I'm glad you're here," Vinnie said, his voice tight with anxiety. "We need to get this done quickly, before it's too late."

Augie nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "What's the plan?"

Vinnie handed him a folder filled with more photos and notes. "The alpha's been spotted in the vicinity of the old mill on the outskirts of town. We think it's hiding there."

Augie's grip on the folder tightened. "Let's get moving."

The drive to the town was silent, the only sound the soft hum of the engine. Augie's mind was focused on the task ahead, his senses on high alert.

They arrived at the mill just before dawn, the sky lightening in the east. Augie could feel it, a presence lurking just out of sight.

He motioned to Vinnie, who nodded and fell back, giving Augie the lead. Augie crept forward, his gun at the ready, his heart pounding in his chest.

The mill loomed before him, its windows shattered, the door hanging off its hinges. Augie approached cautiously, his senses on high alert.

And then, he saw it. A figure, tall and imposing, standing in the center of the room. Its eyes locked onto Augie, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

Augie's finger tightened on the trigger, but he hesitated. There was something in the alpha's eyes, something that gave him pause.

The alpha took a step forward, its movements fluid and deliberate. Augie could feel its power, its dominance.

And then, just as suddenly, it vanished. Augie was left standing there, his gun still raised, his heart pounding in his chest.

He knew, in that moment, that this was far from over.

Augie lowered his gun, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the alpha. But it was gone, vanished into thin air. He cursed under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities.

Vinnie emerged from the shadows, his eyes wide with excitement. "What happened?" he whispered.

Augie shook his head. "It was here, and then it just disappeared."

Vinnie's face fell. "We need to get out of here, now."