Streak And Pack

Chapter 3 - Friendship

The ground shook and a bright light surrounded them. Zarina's mask dissolved. In fear, Dracyian released Amaris and she ran towards Zarina. The roar's power reached him and he felt like he was burning.

His body began being covered in burns and he became almost deaf. Amaris stood in shock, looking at her best friend fighting for her. After the roar, there was a complete silence.

Dracyian was so weakened and frightened that he didn't take another glimpse to look at Amaris, even at Zarina. His eyes went blurry, his skin was disfigured and his clothes are torn. He ran away like a wolf with his tail between his legs as he uses the remaining strength he has.

Amaris was in shock of everything that happened. Zarina fell on her knees and Amaris supported her. Zarina's glowing stripes began fading. Her necklace also stopped glowing. Amaris saw a glimpse of it.

"Z-Zarina... you're..." Amaris tried to complete the sentence while struggling. "A shifter, an Ailuran." Zarina panted, not daring to look at her friend. "W-Why did you hide this f-from me?" The young Lycan asked.

"I was told to keep my identity hidden from anyone, as possible as I can. I found out that you are a shifter on our way here. Through your scent, I found out that you are a Lycan, an enemy of the Ailurans. You are capable of... betraying me. I may be scared of that but the fact that they can come after you after all of this and you being hurt is what scares me the most. I couldn't show them what I truly am while they know that you're my friend because i'm sure, they will come after you too. But I had no choice. You're my friend and I have to save you from Dracyian." Zarina said.

"What more are you hiding from me?" Amaris asked, tears welling up in her eyes. "I am what you are assigned to look for. That someone they are talking about. I am that child who is favored by the heavens." Zarina revealed.

"Y-You are?" Amaris said, her face going pale as tears ran down her cheeks while Zarina nodded sadly. "Yes, I thought you knew when you told Dracyian that I am the one you're looking for." Zarina replied.

"And that? That necklace?" Amaris pointed. "It's from my mom. I believe that the Lycans are looking for this too." Zarina added.

Amaris embraced Zarina. "I wasn't betraying you. I will never! I was just trying to trick him but I didn't know what you really are when I said that you're what we're looking for! I am your best friend, Zarina! Best friend! And I don't care if they will hurt me because of you. They will not get any information out of me, especially about you. Though, I know that they will do what it takes for me to speak out about you." The young Lycan said.

"That's what I don't want to happen to you! I just can't live my life freely while you are being hurt and tortured because of me!" The Ailuran's tears rolled down her cheeks. "Then you should not live your life freely." The Lycan said, boldly.

Zarina just stared at her in confusion. "I feel it. It's only a matter of time before the queen knows about this and they will search for me. If I ever ended up being tortured to death, don't worry. This might put pressure to you but... your streak needs you, the Ailurans need you. You have a huge responsibility now. Don't just fight for me. Fight for them." Amaris added.

"I... No... I-I don't think I can fight for them. I'm weak and all of that is a huge responsibility." Zarina said, doubting herself entirely. "Zarina, look at me. You are the child who is favored by the heavens. There's feud on the shifter world and you alone can fix that." Amaris said.

"But I don't want that! I didn't choose that life! Can't they fix it themselves?! I'm a coward and I am not a queen!" Zarina angrily shouted to Amaris and there was a long silence between them. After saying those, Zarina felt like she betrayed her mother. She promised her to be the queen she's supposed to be but she's nothing close to that at the moment. She instantly regret saying all those to Amaris and Amaris understood Zarina's silence. "You're realizing something huh? Hm. I always know that realization face of yours." Amaris plastered a soft smile.