CHAPTER NINE – THE WEREWOLF RETURNS

Karina walked quickly down the dark city streets, hot tears still stinging her eyes from her fight with Matthew. She just wanted to get home as soon as possible. Seeing a familiar alleyway up ahead, she decided to take a shortcut. As she turned into the dank passageway, she noticed a small food cart set up towards the end. An elderly vendor sat behind it, clouds of steam billowing up around him. "Excuse me!" Karina called out, her voice echoing off the brick walls. "Are you still open?" The vendor looked up in surprise, giving a friendly wave. "Of course, of course! Please, come get some hot tea to warm you up." Karina gratefully accepted a steaming paper cup from him, dropping a few bills into his tip jar. She took a seat on an upturned milk crate, sipping slowly. The warm liquid helped soothe her frayed nerves. Suddenly, a deep, guttural growl sliced through the still night air. Karina froze, her breath catching in her throat. She looked around nervously. The vendor's head whip