Chapter five

The Hotel Lycan(Ragal’s POV)

“Morgan!” I yelled from the hallway after the lady had left, scanning the hotel corridor in search of my Beta.

He scurried quickly toward me, his back leaning against the hotel doors as he bowed.

“Yes, Lycan.”

“What is this that I hear?” I moved closer to him.

“It’s about the… informant,” he stammered, face still bowed.

“Morgan, how many times have I warned you about being incompetent?” I slurred, letting my words sink in before I pounced.

“Many times, my King, I swear. I-I-I tried to—” he gripped his pants hard. He knew how much I hated incompetence, especially from him or anyone else working under me.

“Tell me you know what happened to her.” I flexed my fist at a trembling Morgan.

“Sh-she was brought to the pack clinic… in bad shape,” he replied with a shaky voice.

“Oh, so you don’t know.” I laughed coldly. “How wonderful.”

I grabbed him by the collar, his legs dangling in front of me.

All my years of being king, I fed off people’s fear. They called me monster, beast—and that made me feel respected, feared, honored.

I could feel his fear now, and my hands begged to tear him apart.

*Punish him,* my wolf Leo growled. *He’s too incompetent.*

My human form weakened as Leo fought to take control.

“Enough!” I snapped, and Leo slipped back inside—raging. I hated how he always tried to influence my decisions.

I flung Morgan to the floor. His slouched figure lay there, his pants soaked. He had probably pissed himself.

This is unlike you, Ragal. You’re getting weak,Leo nagged.

I knew what he meant. Years of being cold, detached from this world honoring my commitments to the packs all out of fear.

What was happening to me?

Was I becoming soft? First, it was the omega disguised as my informant. Now Morgan.

*Soft means weak,* Leo whispered again before disappearing.

Morgan looked up at me, eyes wide with shock. He knew I wasn’t one to forgive easily.

“Take me to the pack clinic and hope that saving you was worth it.”

“Yes, Lycan!” He stood quickly, knowing I could change my mind at any second.

Ever since I was a boy, I had watched my father be a good lycan, husband, and father and none of it ended well for him. Instead of being honored, he was betrayed and left for dead.

I grew up with one belief: Never trust anyone. Not even your closest friend.

And it had stuck with me. I won wars. I ruled packs. Even at the expense of friendship.

It didn’t matter that I was alone as long as it kept people at bay.

******

We drove quietly through the entire journey, Morgan behind the wheel while I looked out the window from the back seat.

There were no cars on the road. The streets looked deserted. Too quiet because it was late.

The silence crawled under my skin. My mind wandered again… to that omega at my hotel.

Her long hair, trembling hands, and cute eyes kept surfacing in my head.

Who is she?I whispered to myself.

I vaguely remembered her saying she was a stripper. That only fueled my curiosity more. Strip clubs were forbidden under my rule, but somehow the Blood Moon Pack kept flaunting my orders.

That’s why I had hired an informant,to gather more evidence to bring their leaders down and replace them. I never acted without evidence but even that seemed impossible now.

The moon glistened on the dark streets, calling to me, tempting me to shift and revel in its glory, my skin itching. It was hard not trying to shift but duty was above pleasure for me.

Secondly my informant is lying on the hospital bed,sick all because of me. I gritted my teeth in anger.

Who tried to kill her?

And who was that omega that came by the hotel instead of my informant? Is she also a part of this conspiracy?

I need more information to bring the leadership of the blood moon pack to its knees.

“Morgan, I want every resource we have to find that girl from my hotel.”

“Yes, sir,” Morgan nodded, eyes on the road, avoiding my gaze.

Suddenly, the itching started again. This time around stronger than last time and each wave burned me.

I was tempted to rip my shirt apart. This was my curse as a Lycan—having little or no control over my abilities.

I hated it.

Leo was having the time of his life trying to resurface. I gripped the seat, my claws digging into the car leather.

Fuck you Leo this is a new car . I cursed seeing the claw imprints on the leather.

This time Leo didn't listen and only fought harder to control me. Our fight was usually like this but he was different today.

Was it the moon or something else was triggering him. Perhaps the smell of a werewolf in heat or blood war which I knew he couldn't resist.

I sniffed the air,pain rolling through my body in waves as I fell to the car floor in mercy of my wolf.

My heart pounded fast. I wasn’t in control and if I didn’t jump out soon, Leo might kill Morgan or someone else.

Leo, stop messing around,I snarled, fighting to hold him back.

Morgan’s pale face looked at me through the side mirror. His fear was palpable. Leo was out of control.

I saw my eyes in the mirror dark with a shade of red. My arms grew hairy, my clothes ripping to shreds.

“Arghhh!” I screamed as pain shot through my spine. The vehicle screeched to a halt.

Leo was unstoppable.

He was in control of my senses and I couldn't even form a thought.

I didn’t even know where I was. There was no forest nearby. I couldn’t allow myself to kill an innocent werewolf.

*Leo, stop!* I yelled, frustration surging as my shirt tore apart and my arms twisted in agony.

Transformation wasn’t usually this painful. But since I was resisting trying to stay in control it became worse. We were fighting each other.

Morgan kept staring his hands frozen at the car wheel. He didn't know how to help me and his fear was feeding Leo, making him stronger. And Leo wanted to punish him

I wouldn't let him touch my Beta.

“Save yourself, Morgan! Run!” I yelled, feeling Leo take over my mind bit by bit

The moonlight feeding him more strength.

Never had Leo overpowered me like this. Never.

And I hated not being in control of this side of me.

Morgan stood stiff for a moment before replying, “I can’t leave you here, Ragal…”

“You silly boy! This will be your death!” I growled loudly, just as Leo took over fully with one dreaded word from his lips.

Mate.