The Dormant Queen of the Hybrid

Book 1,Chapter 7 Asterids

It was a good morning and a regular day of the week. Asterids wore a light gray T-shirt with her favorite band’s logo ‘Disturbed’, black jeans and High-top sneakers. She was going for a smart casual, bringing a tailored jacket but she remembered that it’ll not be appropriate for the activities of the day. Aritha and Sarah agreed with her. Asterids yawn and stretched her arms like an eighty year old man. She’s thinking of putting lipstick on but decided against it. Coffee is ready and hot at the right side of the table. Her computer is all set up and connected to the company’s intranet for any private important file transfers. And more importantly, there should be no plastic plants in her cubicle. The blue prints and tracing papers are being stored in their proper places, drawers and cabinets. Only the necessary tools like pens, sticky notes, tapes and other materials will be taken out when needed and will be put back to where it came from. Order shall be the first priority of her own little office space.

“I was like you when I first worked here.” Mr. Tony waved at her from the other side of the room. What a pleasant smile he have, only if it wasn’t covered by a stack of old paper documents. He looked like a hoarder with all the rolled printed plans around him which in any minute now should start an avalanche. Asterids decided to say a small prayer for his survival if that would happen. The chubby guy is thirty nine years old with kind eyes and a balding head. Wearing a polo shirt casual formal attire just like his boss, president Dook. Mr. Tony, a human, is a skilled secretary and one of her mentors in the office. He was originally Dooks secretary in his Rosario Pasig branch office. After taking over this office in Manggahan Pasig , Dook also brought Mr. Tony here. Ms. Park , President Edward’s secretary is currently working in the Rosario Branch with a new temporary boss. Mr. Tony would take calls, make appointment, set up meetings with important clients and collaborate with the other department about the supply of the construction materials, progress of a project etc. setting up their meeting with the boss to provide the said report. He is basically one of the important people here. “Alright time to earn the bacon.” He would say before taking the first call in the morning. Ironically, he cant eat meat because of his heart disease.

“Hey Tony is it true that we won the bidding for Star Hotel Project?” Asterids has read a lot of documents but she would still need to know more about the ins and outs of the firm.

“Yes and no.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“We didn’t get one hundred percent of the project. The interior design will be managed by the DMDR Contractor Company.”

“Oh wow, I guess we’ll have to work with them during the construction.”

“Isn’t today your first time going on site? You be careful okay? Some of them are jerks.”

*** *** ***

By eleven a.m., Asterids is done with gathering the new proposal plans for different clients. That’s how the company works. They compete with other firms, contractors, companies gathering new clients. They provides the best design, as well as feasible and cheaper cost estimates. Her father Edward Madrigal provides the supply of the construction materials while Dook provides the manpower or labor. With their strong connection or networking , the E.D. Construction Company has become the main builder for multiple cities across Metro Manila and Luzon. Their specialty is mid to high-rise buildings in the business central districts.

After lunch break, Asterids went straight to the EDSA district for the Star Hotel project on site visitation. Few of their architect’s assistant came with her to take some pictures and talk to the on site people. They will meet the project manager assigned by Dook. The project is part interior renovation of an existing structure and construction of two more thirteen-story Annex buildings. Asterids will have go through the existing main building before she can reach the back side where the excavation is taking place. Today, they’ll pour the cement to lay the foundation and columns.

Inside the main building is a huge lobby with a beautiful sky light at the ceiling of the fourth floor. The lobby hall is full of scaffolding. The interior wall claddings are being removed to be replaced by modern tiles or wood planks. The client wants to achieve high end design that can guarantee him the approval of rating the hotel to a four or even a five star rank. Asterids noticed that a lot of DMDR Contractor company workers are taking their break under the scaffolding while there were no nets installed above them. This is hazardous because there might be some debris or rocks that can fall and injure them.

“Sh*t! Look up!” Someone yelled from above them. Asterids immediately pulled the hands of the guy before the falling big can of blue paint hit him in the head.

“F*ck! The hell! What’s wrong with you Aston?!” the guy said, after seeing the blue paint spreading on the chipped floor.

“Sorry!” Yelled the guy from the fourth floor.

“ Good thing this beautiful lady saved my life.”

“No worries. Just be safe next time.” Asterids said and was about to go on her way out to the excavation area of the annex building when the guy stopped her.

“I noticed that you’re eyeing me earlier. Give me your number.”

“Oh no, I was not sir. Just surveying the area doing my job.” Asterids smiled politely. She heard the other workers trying dispel the tension, trying to stop the guy with his goading. This made the guy adamant to stop his pushiness.

“Come on. I’m sure fate brought us together. Are you single?” He smiled at her. “Are you a virgin?”

“Dude no!”

“I like you hot stuff. So feisty.”

“Dude where’s your safety officer? I’m going to report you if you don’t stop.”

“Your not my boss hot stuff.” The guy squeezed Asterids arm smiling. She was about to crack and strike the guy where the sun don’t shine when a hand stopped the construction worker from harassing her.

“Stop bugging the lady.” His voice is but a whisper but threatening.

“What? Is she yours?”

“That’s none of your concern. Shouldn’t you be working right now?”

“F*ck off!”

“You okay Asterids?” He was focusing on his assistant and was about pretend the guy does not exist, stepping away from trouble when the construction guy deck Dook in the face. It did not do much besides aggravate the alpha.

“Don’t start a fight that you’ll regret.” Dook’s eyes went wild. It’s turning into a cat slit fluctuating back to a normal human eyes, and vise versa. Asterids noticed him clenching his hand to control his temper. The construction guy would be much in trouble if he kept on triggering her boss and so Asterids held Dook’s hand so they can step away from the main hall. Suddenly the construction guy attacked Dook but it hit Asterids’ temple instead. She fell on her knees which made Dook lose the very thin temper he got left for the construction guy.

“F*ck! F*ck! It’s not my fault since she got in the way! I’m not afraid of you tiger. Your not the only shifter here.” The construction guy promptly shift into a giant brown bear. Apparently he is also an alpha of Ursinthrope species. This kind of explain his selfishness, but not his lack of brain.

“Stop!” Dook commanded. His voice is a combination of growling and of a human’s. His eyes are shifted to a tiger’s and he’s emitting a massive white aura to influence the unruly alpha shifter, to calm it down. A unique ability of every born leader alpha. But it seems that his commanding growl and aura does not affect the alpha bear shifter. He tried to dial something on his phone to call the Magical Creatures, Control and Defense Squad, but the bear started trashing around. People begun scattering away, saving their life. On the other hand, the Alpha Tiger went straight and charged the bear in his human form. By the time a contact was made, his body is already transformed into his Full animal form byakko. Mustering control over himself, Dook roared thunderously. Suddenly he emits electricity which shocked the bear, making it roared, scratch and swipe Asterids’ boss in return. Even though the bear is twice the size of Dook, the white tiger is faster, so by the time the bear gets on his feet, Dook is already engaged in biting him on the neck and giving him a high dosage of electric shock. The bear went limp and lost consciousness.

A few minutes later, the ambulance came together with the rushing safety officer of the DMDR contractor co, assisting the pushy construction worker, sending him to the hospital and maybe later to jail. Asterids went looking for Dook and found him in the middle of the excavated lot at the back of the hotel, still in his full animal form. His back is facing her. Asterids can see how even in his animal form, his boss still have that gravitas of a great Alpha that can attract loyalty among his clan. She noticed the creature’s platinum white furs with black stripe pattern and appreciated how beautiful it is. Meanwhile, the tiger stands on four legs, wagging its two set of tails, while his eyes of crystal silver, is squinting, as if he’s tired. It’s body also continuously emits a fluctuation of electricity. A hybrid. In mythology, the white tiger Byakko is associated with autumn, metal, or wind elements. Dook have the element of thunder. As far as Asterids know, reading from those history books, thunder is not a common element that a Byakko species have. Byakko is a guardian. A protector. The one who keeps order and justice among the shifter world. Some even worshipped them as the god of righteousness. They are also viewed as the king of animals. But then Dook the tiger, as he looked back onto her, what Asterids saw is viciousness. Dook seems feral, as if he lost any sentiency or awareness. “Shoot! It’s the Outburst.”

*** *** ***

“MC Control has reached the vicinity over. Yes. Agent Code CX654. Over. White Tiger.” The agent then stopped using the walky-talky-like-phone to face Asterids and ask her for the name of the white tiger in the excavated lawn.

“Dook Sordlak. Shifter. Category A. Hybrid. Yes. Electricity.” Asterids had to report back to the office about the incident following the safety protocols of her job. Now they called for the MCCDS. The Magical Creatures Control and Defense Squadron. It’s a government-funded police agency that aims to protect both the Magical Creatures and the Humans, restoring the social order. Being that they were established by the United Nations, human government, Asterids wont hold her breath for them. Their branch here in the country, is also the same office who has been ignoring the Madrigal Clan killings in the past years.

“Okay Team. Dispatch.” The group is composed of five people. Two wielding transparent shield. One has a huge heavy net. The others have tranquilizer guns. They immediately surrounded the tiger in all exit point.

“Easy tiger ,” one of the agents said smiling, “Get it? Cause he’s—"

“Shut up Alex and focus,” said by the teammate. Suddenly, the two shield guys was thrown backward by a blast with one roar from Dook. They flailed in the air and hit the soil with a thud losing consciousness. Their blood splattered on the tiger’s face. The gun agents begun firing continuously but Dook’s surge of electricity blocks and disabled the tranquilizer bullets. Swearing out of frustration, they threw the heavy net capturing Asterids’ boss unsuccessfully since the tiger is much faster and flexible than their human motor skills. What a whimsical waste of time. Nevertheless, with agonizing exhaustion, the three uninjured agents did not give up and went shooting the tiger which is currently dashing to a nearest road. One of the agents hurled a black object near the exit. It exploded and leaked tranquilizing gas which immediately covered the vicinity. The agents wearing a protective mask was able to mobilize and check if the target has been disabled. Dook immediately jump on them swiping the agents with his claws. Two of them went flying straight to the building wall five meters away, grunting in pain. Chest bleeding from the clawmarks. Thank gods with the protective gears they wore. With the last agent standing, Dook growl and was about to tear his head off when suddenly Asterids intervene, pushing agent Alex away, saving his life from gruesome death.

“Boss, Please stop it!” She untied the ring necklace and held it in front of her boss’ face. Dook stopped moving as if smelling and analyzing the item the woman is showing to him. Yes the ring should be able to stop the boss. It has the curse to prevent whoever wields it to connect to its inner animal self. It prevents shifter transformation.

“F*ck! You!” Agent Alex hissed. This made the white tiger growl and roar, emitting and exploding another surge of electricity. Agent Alex was thrown back followed by Asterids, her head slamming on the agent’s stomach because of the uncontrollable impact. Asterids stands up staggering from the combined effect of his boss attack and the leaking gas bomb. She covered her face using her hand and noticed that she is no longer holding the ring which sent her in panic. Dook went closer towards them.

“Fight it boss. fight it.” Dook is silent, analytical, checking whether the woman in front of him is a prey or not.

“It’s okay. I’m not afraid. I know you’re in there, buddy.” Asterids is shaking though.

“Please.” She pleaded. The tiger growl weakly.

“Dook.” Asterids inched closer. She was about to touch his face and make a connection to soothe her boss, when another team of MCCDS arrived, the agents aimed at them and was about to fire. Dook Strike back emitting another wave of electricity.

“No!” Panic, adrenaline rush, fear, or wanting to protect the tiger pushed her to the limit that day. Being she doesn’t have the curse ring around her neck, in an instant, Asterids’ eyes transformed into a cat slit of ocean blue pupils.

“No more,” Asterids firmly said. She showed them her claws, blocking both party from approaching each other. Dook the tiger, stepped back and stared at the lady facing him. Asterids offered her hand to the tiger, facing him once more. Her aura is of a dignified leader of her clan. The Madrigal clan. She felt that she is no longer afraid of the creature in front of her. She felt strong. Almost complete. She touched Dook’s face, caressing, soothing and feeling his soft furs.

“Comeback to me my child.” Asterids voice is gentle, but of a low guttural growl.. And then both of them lost consciousness.