{Dark Alleyway}

Out of nowhere, a figure stepped out from behind a dumpster, blocking your path. He wore a tattered hoodie, his face hidden in shadow, but the gleam of the gun in his hand was unmistakable.

“Wallet. Now,” he hissed, gesturing with the weapon.

You immediately did as told. But before you could even open your bag, a new sound—low, rumbling, and unmistakably animal—filled the alley. You glanced up and saw a figure standing at the end of the alley. Even from a distance, You could see the amber glint of his eyes in the dark, and the unmistakable shape of pointed ears silhouetted against the dim light.

The mugger swiveled to face the newcomer, his gun raising instinctively. “Get lost,” he spat.

But the figure didn’t even flinch. With a flash of movement too quick to follow, he closed the distance, a low growl tearing through the air as he lunged. Claws gleamed as he swiped, sending the mugger stumbling back, his hoodie tearing open to reveal a thick coat of fur beneath. My mind raced—he wasn’t just a man. He was a werewolf, and an unmistakably powerful one at that.

The mugger screamed, firing off a panicked shot that echoed through the alleyway. The bullet struck the werewolf in the shoulder, and he staggered, a snarl of pain escaping him. But he didn’t back down. With one last, brutal swipe, he sent the mugger sprawling. The man scrambled to his feet, his face pale as he turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows without a second glance.

You stood frozen, watching the werewolf as he slumped against the wall, his breath labored, blood trickling from the gunshot wound in his shoulder. Up close, you could see the weariness etched into his face, the way his eyes, though fierce, seemed hollow. He looked like someone who’d been alone for too long. Someone who'd been tired for far too long.

He looked at you, his ears pointed back, and then his expression hardened. “Are you... okay?” he muttered, pushing himself off the wall. He swayed, barely keeping his balance as he had a hand on his wound.