Side effects
970 Words
Drake–POV
Seeing Yuri plummet from the towering mountain height, I instantly shifted halfway, unfurling my dragon wings. I caught her weary form in my arms, simultaneously dodging the laser beams aiming at us. Her unconscious state, etched on her battered face, stirred a pang of guilt within me. Anticipating the next laser beam, I retaliated with magical fire from my palm, dispelling the threat before we took to the skies.
As the truck carrying a mixture of hybrid creatures slipped past the security post, relief washed over me. Solomons and Mac had been tasked with its removal, and their success showed that my preemptive elimination of the guards had paid off.
Urgency overtook me as I pushed my wings to their limit, desperate to get Yuri to the Silver Canines pack for immediate medical aid. Her wolf energy was alarmingly absent, replaced by the distinct scent of wolfbane. I spotted an injection mark on her neck and cursed inwardly. Ted would pay for his merciless actions. Regret gnawed at me as I pondered over the thought that Yuri would have been spared this suffering if I had trusted my intuition and stayed with her at the mountain cave.
Seeing the hybrid truck reach the Silver Canines Pack ground brought a sliver of comfort. Silas was aiding the hybrids alongside Mac as I landed. Their expressions turned to horror upon seeing Yuri's unconscious state.
"Yuri!" cried Markus. "What happened to her?"
"I'll explain later. Right now, I'm taking Yuri to the infirmary," I answered, and with supernatural speed, I whisked Yuri away to the doctors. Mac, Markus, Nedra, and Nexus soon joined us, and I relayed the event, explaining the wolfsbane used to block Yuri's wolf side.
"Damn it, I should have been there to take Ted down," Mac growled.
"We need to help Silas with the hybrids," I responded. Mac hesitated, not wanting to leave the infirmary. "Yuri's father is here. She's in the Silver Canines pack, not the Night Pack." Mac finally relented, albeit reluctantly, and followed me out of the infirmary.
"Mac, Drake, I can't thank you enough," Silas said.
"Don't mention it, Silas," I responded. "We can't ignore that these human hybrids have some dragon powers. I would appreciate it if they could stay here for a few days while I arrange a place for them and plan their shifting training."
"Don't worry about it, Drake," Silas assured, his voice laden with genuine emotion. "You've already helped so much, especially with saving Yuri, who is like my sister. Mac, can you check on the hybrids? I'll visit Yuri before heading home. Drake, rest in my manor." I nodded in response.
After lending a hand with the hybrids, Mac and I moved towards the infirmary. Mac turned to me, a deep sadness clouding his eyes. "Drake, I don't know how I would have coped if we'd lost Yuri. Thank you for saving her."
His words stirred a question within me. "Mac, why are you so concerned about Yuri? Is she your mate or something?" I asked, inexplicable anxiety bubbling at the thought of Yuri being attached to someone else.
Mac sighed, his eyes clouded with confusion. "It drew my wolf to Yuri, but I can't confirm if she's my mate," he admitted. Jealousy flared within me, puzzling me. Why did Yuri's potential relationship affect me so much?
We entered the infirmary, where I saw Elena and Silas's mother, Emily, by Yuri's bedside. Nedra, Nexus, and Markus stood at a distance.
"Drake, I need to speak with you," Elena said, motioning for me to follow her.
"Are you certain these people are Yuri's family?" Elena asked as we stepped outside. I confirmed and elaborated on how we came to know. "I needed to confirm, as Yuri hadn't given me precise details. Since her mother's death, her emotional stability has been shaky."
"I understand your concern, Elena," I began, "but my instincts tell me that Markus is her father. If you're still doubtful, we could do a DNA test to get certainty."
Elena nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That might be a good idea. It's better to be certain before I trust them and let Yuri be around this family. If Markus is Yuri's father, maybe Emily could help break Yuri's curse." I nodded in agreement.
Elena then shifted her attention to me, her gaze scrutinizing. "How are you holding up, Drake?" she asked, catching my distant expression.
I was jolted back from my thoughts. I met her eyes. "I'm alright, Elena. I'm just trying to anticipate what's coming."
Elena sighed. "Drake, I can read your thoughts, you know. So, you've encountered the son of Xac, the dragon villain who's been looking for you."
"It's not exactly a polite habit to read people's thoughts, Elena," I countered, frowning.
"I'm concerned about you, Drake. You've been distant, always worried," she said.
"I have to be," I replied, my tone sharper than intended. "I have new responsibilities now: looking after the hybrid dragons, finding them a place, keeping myself alive, and planning revenge on my enemies."
Elena didn't flinch. Instead, she offered a look of understanding. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. But remember, you've always been there for us, my husband and this pack. We've got your back, Drake." She left after her reassurance, going straight to Markus to voice her doubts and request a DNA test.
Anxious, I waited for the doctor to appear and update us on Yuri's condition. When he finally did, his news was grim. "Alpha Silas, Luna Elena, and Yuri arrived in critical condition. Her wolf power saved her from dying from the brutal attack and the poison in the wolfsbane injection. However, the wolf's power is now depleted. I'm afraid Yuri won't be able to shift again. She can't be a wolf shifter."
- Writer
