Royal Hotel

Alex couldn't shake his concern for Linda. Deciding it was better to be nearby, he checked into the Royal Hotel. His plan was simple: to rest for a while and then be ready for Linda's mysterious meeting at 9:00 PM.

As Alex settled into his room, the exhaustion from months of nightmares and tension weighed heavily on him. He lay down, hoping for a brief respite. But sleep brought no peace.

Beep... beep... beep...

The incessant beeping of his alarm clock echoed in his ears, blending seamlessly with the distant screams of his comrades. The nightmare took hold of him again, more vivid and overwhelming than ever before. He was back in the heat of battle. Gunfire roared around him, and the screams of his comrades filled the air.

"Serge! Serge! Take cover!" Alex shouted, reliving the chaos and terror of that fateful day. He saw the lifeless bodies of his team, the ground soaked in blood. The sight was unbearable.

Alex’s body began to change. His eyes shot open, glowing a fierce, unnatural red. His nails grew into sharp claws, and his muscles bulged as he struggled to control the transformation. A deep, guttural growl escaped his lips as he felt the beast within him taking over.

"No! Not here!" Alex grunted, staggering out of bed. He stumbled towards the door, desperate to find a place where he could be alone, where he wouldn't hurt anyone. He barely managed to pull on a pair of pants before bolting out of his room and down the hallway.

He burst through the door to the basement parking lot, his vision blurred, and his senses heightened. The cool night air hit his skin, but it did little to calm him. His rage and fear fed the transformation, pushing him further towards the brink.He could feel the beast’s strength coursing through his veins, the primal urge to hunt, to destroy. His humanity was slipping away, buried under layers of instinct and fury.

As he reached the basement, Alex collapsed to his knees, his body convulsing with the force of the change. He let out a blood-curdling scream as his transformation was completed. The beast was unleashed.

In the dimly lit parking lot, Alex, now fully transformed, stood amidst a sea of parked cars. His massive frame was covered in thick fur, and his eyes burned with a wild intensity. His breaths were heavy, each exhale a growl.

He could still hear the screams of his comrades in his head, but now they were joined by the frantic beating of his own heart. He felt the overwhelming urge to destroy, to tear apart anything in his path.

Eventually, the rage began to subside. The beast, exhausted by its own fury, started to retreat. Alex’s breaths grew steadier, his vision clearer. Slowly, painfully.

As Alex gathered himself, he noticed Linda exiting the building, safe and sound. Relieved but still on edge, he crept in the shadows, following her to ensure her safety. As he did, a commotion caught his attention.

A lady, terrified and dishevelled, was surrounded by heavily armed men. Her long hair was scattered, and her eyes were wide with fear. She looked like she had been pursued for a while. The men in suits grinned maliciously, their guns trained on her, ready to fire.Without hesitation, Alex's protective instincts kicked in.

The sight of an innocent life in danger reignited his strength. He could see the intention to shoot in the men's eyes. With a burst of speed and power, he rushed forward, determined to save her.

The scene erupted into chaos as Alex threw himself into the fray, With a roar, Alex lashed out, his claws raking across the concrete pillars, leaving deep gashes. He smashed car windows and hurled debris, each act of destruction, his primal fury unleashed once more. The men were caught off guard, their bullets missing their mark as Alex moved with supernatural agility. He fought with a ferocity that only a werewolf could muster, his red-shot eyes and sharp claws turning the tide of the battle.

In the midst of the struggle, he shielded the woman with his body, taking blows meant for her. His anger, driven by the memories of his fallen comrades and the innocent lives at stake, fueled his every move.

Finally, after a brutal confrontation, the men lay defeated around him. Alex, breathing heavily, looked back at the woman. She was still on the ground.

Finally, after a brutal confrontation, the men lay defeated around him. Alex, breathing heavily, looked back at the woman. She was still on the ground, but her fear had given way to astonishment and curiosity. As the adrenaline began to fade, Alex felt the exhaustion setting in. He knew he had to leave before more questions arose.

"You are safe now," he said, his voice strained. Without waiting for a response, he turned and started to disappear into the shadows.

“Wait!” she called out, her voice filled with concern. “Are you okay?”

Alex stopped, surprised. He turned to see genuine curiosity and care in her eyes, not the fear he had expected. She pointed at the cuts and injuries he had suffered. “You’re hurt.”

"I'll be fine," Alex replied, his voice softening. He was taken aback by her reaction. Most people would have run away screaming, but she seemed more concerned about his well-being than the fact that a beast had just saved her.

The woman took a step closer, her eyes scanning his wounds. “Please, let me help you.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t need help. Just stay safe.”

Before she could protest, he turned away again, slipping back into the shadows.

As Alex searched the city streets for Linda, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. It was as if she had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only questions and uncertainty.

After a futile search, he felt the familiar tug of his human form returning. Relieved to be free from the beast's grip, Alex took a moment to catch his breath. He glanced down at his torn and tattered clothes, realizing he couldn't continue his search, looking like a wild animal.

With a sigh, he made his way back to the Royal Hotel, his mind racing with thoughts of Linda's safety and the mysterious events of the night. Sneaking into the laundry room, he found a clean robe and quickly changed into it, grateful for the semblance of normalcy it provided.

Dressed in the borrowed robe, Alex returned to his room to gather his thoughts. He needed to figure out his next move, but his mind was clouded with worry and confusion.

As Alex rang the doorbell of the O'Connor home, his heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and worry. He hoped to find Linda safe and sound, and perhaps gain some insight into the events of the previous night.

To his surprise, the door was answered not by Linda, but by O'Connor's daughter and their nanny. The nanny regarded him with a curious expression, clearly unsure of who he was.

Before the nanny could speak, Emily came bounding into the foyer, her face lighting up with recognition. "Uncle Alex!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug.

Alex returned the hug warmly, feeling a rush of affection for his niece. "Hey there, Emily," he said with a smile. "It's good to see you."

The nanny's confusion dissolved as Emily's enthusiastic greeting confirmed Alex's familiarity to her. "Ah, you must be Alex smith, Serge's friend," she said with a warm smile, stepping aside to let him in.

As Alex entered the house, he glanced around the familiar surroundings, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him. "Thank you," he said to the nanny, grateful for her hospitality.

Seated in the living room, Emily chattered excitedly about her day at school, regaling Alex with stories of her classmates and teachers. He listened with genuine interest, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with her.

Amidst the cheerful conversation, Alex couldn't shake the nagging worry about Linda's whereabouts. "Where is Linda?" he asked finally, unable to contain his concern any longer.

The nanny hesitated for a moment before responding, her expression thoughtful. "She mentioned she would be back in the morning," she explained, her tone gentle yet guarded.

Alex nodded, understanding. "Alright," he said softly. "I'll come back in the morning, then."

With a sense of determination, Alex bid farewell to Emily and the nanny.