Face to Face
479 Words
# Chapter 7: Face to Face
The engine of the black SUV roared as it sped toward the quiet town.
Alpha Damon sat in the back seat, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
His wolf had been restless ever since Beta Ryan brought him the news.
**She's there.**
**Go to her.**
Damon clenched his fists.
"What if I'm already too late?"
Ryan glanced at him through the rearview mirror but wisely remained silent.
---
Meanwhile...
The bakery was unusually busy.
Elena greeted customers with a warm smile, trying to push away the fear that had lingered since the attack in the alley.
Mrs. Margaret noticed her distant expression.
"Why don't you take a short break?" she suggested. "You've been working since sunrise."
Elena nodded gratefully.
"I'll be back in a few minutes."
She stepped outside, breathing in the cool afternoon air.
The town square was peaceful.
Children laughed as they chased one another.
Merchants called out to passing customers.
For the first time in days, Elena allowed herself to believe that everything might be alright.
Then...
A familiar scent drifted through the air.
Her smile disappeared.
She knew that scent.
She had known it for years.
Slowly, she turned around.
Standing on the opposite side of the street was Alpha Damon.
Their eyes locked.
Time seemed to stop.
The bustling crowd faded into silence.
Damon stared at her as if he couldn't believe she was really there.
"Elena..."
Her name escaped his lips like a prayer.
Elena's heartbeat thundered in her ears.
Every painful memory came rushing back.
The rejection.
The heartbreak.
The lonely nights.
The tears she had cried for the mate who had abandoned her.
Without saying a word, she turned and walked away.
"Elena, wait!"
Damon pushed through the crowd after her.
She quickened her pace.
"I don't want to hear anything you have to say."
"Please."
His voice cracked with regret.
"Just give me one minute."
She stopped but didn't look at him.
"You already had your chance."
Her words cut deeper than any blade.
Damon lowered his head.
"I know."
"I'm sorry."
Elena laughed bitterly.
"Sorry?"
"You rejected me in front of the entire pack."
"You destroyed my life."
Her eyes filled with tears she refused to let fall.
"And now you suddenly want to apologize?"
Before Damon could answer...
A deafening explosion echoed from the end of the street.
Boom!
People screamed and scattered in every direction.
Several black-cloaked warriors charged into the square.
"There she is!"
One of them pointed directly at Elena.
"Take her!"
Damon's instincts took over.
He stepped in front of Elena, his body shielding hers.
"No one touches her."
His silver eyes blazed with Alpha authority as his aura swept across the street.
The attackers hesitated.
Then their leader smiled.
"So... the Blackwood Alpha found her first."
The battle for Elena had begun.
**End of Chapter 7**
- Writer
