THE ALPHA'S AWAKENING

r the light. Elena Hart, a twenty-four-year-old barista, wiped down the counter of the small café she worked at, her mind wandering into realms of folklore her grandmother had told

rupted into chaos. Lucas moved with lightning speed, intercepting the attack and sending the man crashing into a table. The sound of wood splintering echoed through the café, and Elena instinctively ducked, clutching the edge of the counter. "Run!" Lucas yelled, throwing a punch at another attacker, but the third man grabbed him from behind, wrestling him to the ground. Elena's heart raced as she watched the brutal struggle unfold. She was frozen in place, fear rooting her to the spot. But the instinct for survival kicked in, and she knew she couldn't stay here, not while they fought for her. She bolted for the back door, praying it would lead to safety. As she flung it open, the cool night air hit her like a wave. But before she could take a step outside, a sharp, guttural growl reverberated from the darkness. She turned just in time to see a massive, shadowy figure emerging from the tree line-a wolf larger than she had ever seen, its eyes glowing like embers in the twilight. Panic surged within her, and she stumbled backward, the door swinging shut behind her. "Get away from her!" Lucas shouted, breaking free from the grapple and charging toward her, but the wolf stood in his way, growling low and threatening. "Lucas, what is that?" she gasped, her voice trembling. "It's not here to hurt you," he said, but the wolf's posture was defensive, its gaze locked onto her, as if assessing her very soul. In that moment, Elena felt a strange pull toward the wolf, an inexplicable connection that made her heart race. Was it the adrenaline? Or something deeper? As the wolf stepped forward, the attackers took advantage of the distraction. The leader regained his footing and lunged at Lucas, tackling him to the ground once more. "No!" Elena screamed, feeling a surge of energy course through her veins. It was as if her very being resonated with the chaos around her. "Stop!" To her shock, the wolf paused, turning its head toward her. The air crackled with tension as the wolf's eyes held hers, and she felt a rush of power surging within her-a familiar energy she had never acknowledged. "Get back!" Lucas yelled, struggling against the weight of the man pinning him down. Elena took a step forward, and as she did, she felt the wolf's energy intertwining with her own, filling her with strength. "I won't let you hurt him!" she shouted, her voice steady now, even as her heart raced. The leader hesitated, confusion creeping into his expression. "What are you?" Before she could respond, the wolf lunged, snapping its powerful jaws just inches away from the leader's face. He cursed, stumbling backward and releasing his grip on Lucas for a brief moment. "Now!" Lucas shouted, and with an explosive burst o