"These wounds are not normal wounds." Dr. Brinks said, inspecting Harold carefully. His short, chubby frame stretched over Harold's large body as he examined him.
Dr. Brinks was a human but had extensive experience treating wolves. He was one of the Alpha's most trusted doctors. He had attended to Sargon several times and was always readily available when he was called.
When the Alpha called him about Harold, Dr. Brinks arrived at Harold's home immediately. He was one of the few people the Alpha trusted.
Sargon leaned on the wall across from Dr. Brinks and Harold, with his arms across his chest. If anyone could figure out what was happening to Harold, it would be Dr. Brinks. He was one of the most talented doctors in the kingdom.
"He was attacked by rogues Doc." Sargon said, giving the doctor as much information as he possibly could. "He has fought off many rogues in large numbers before, but he was never debilitated like this." Sargon continued.
"Yes, the wounds are clearly from rogues but there is some kind of poison or liquid that was transferred to Harold while he was bitten. The liquid is prevalent in each wound. Look how the edges of the wounds are discolored." He pointed out to Sargon as he lifted a bandage off one of Harold's wounds.
"Whatever the liquid is, seems to be what is preventing him from healing. I suspect that the rogues weakened him with each poison laced bite. Harold is not easily weakened so this has to be an extremely strong contaminant." He said worriedly.
"What could cause something like that?" The Alpha asked with a furrowed brow.
"Well, there are some things out there that bring much uncertainty to me. I have seen something similar to this many years ago and it was puzzling then as it is now." Dr. Brinks said pensively.
"What do you mean doctor?" Sargon asked.
"Many years ago, a few wolves had similar symptoms. Because wolves are natural healers, no one could understand why their healing power was reduced. Many tests were done, and many doctors were called in to discover a reason for the delay in healing." He said, in deep thought as the words seem to take him back to that disturbing time.
"There was a possibility of bringing in a sorceress to consult with but due to the poor relationship between the two worlds, the wolves were against it.
Sargon looked at Dr. Brinks thoughtfully. "How did the wounded wolves survive and heal?" Sargon asked.
Dr. Brinks looked at him quietly for a moment then looked down at Harold. "They didn't heal, nor did they survive." He replied.
Sargon's face was washed with worry at the doctor's revelation. He looked at Harold's motionless body as his chest barely rose and fell with each shallow breath. His skin was pale and he had not woken up since he fainted in his wife's arms.
"This is not happening. We must find a way to help him. I don't care who you have to call in." Sargon said getting frustrated.
Dr. Brinks looked at him with uncertainty as he sighed and walked over to Sargon. He placed his hand on Sargon's arm and looked up at him. "I will try my best. You know I will, Sargon." He said, giving him a promising look.
Harold and Sargon were friends since they were kids. Becoming the Alpha was Sargon's destiny and his Beta was set in stone by default. The Beta just happened to be one of the most powerful beasts that could complement the Alpha and run the kingdom with a powerful rule.
They had been through it all. They went through training together, got in trouble together, ruled the kingdom together and so much more.
They had lived like brothers their entire lives, so losing Harold was not an option. It was like losing his brother.
Sargon thought about Vianna and Catelyn as his heart ached. This was not how it was supposed to go.
Harold lay on the hospital bed as stable as can be considering the poison that permeated through his veins. There wasn't much time.
"I will Call a couple of my associates to help me decode the patters in the contaminant. Maybe they have had more interactions with this recently as well. It's worth a shot. I will also set Harold up with fresh blood to clean his own. Whatever is in his system will need to be cleaned out as much as possible until we find a better solution. " Dr. Brinks said, pulling Sargon out of his thoughts.
"Yes. Do what you must. Just try to be discreet. We don't need everyone knowing the rule has been weakened. Our enemies will become brave very quickly and I need to be able to help Harold as much as I can. His family will need protection in his absence." Sargon said.
"Of course, Alpha. I understand." He replied.
Sargon placed his hand on Harold's shoulder for a moment and looked at him. "You can beat this brother." He said in a low voice, then turned to walk out of the room.
As he turned to walk down the hall, he saw Vianna sitting on a Victorian style bench with her knees pulled into her chest and her head buried into her arms. Her disheveled hair fell over her like a blanket.
She lifted her head slightly at the sound of the Alpha making his way towards her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. His heart ached at the sight of her in such a state.
"It will be alright Ana. Your father is strong." He said trying to sound convincing instead of afraid at the possible outcome.
Vianna looked deep into the Alphas eyes with her red, swollen eyes. "This is all my fault, isn't it?" She said as tears streamed down her face and her body shaked.
Her eyes and lips were swollen. It seemed as though she hadn't stopped crying since the incident. She lowered her head back into her arms without waiting for a reply.
"Do not blame yourself for this, Vianna. It is not your fault." Sargon said.
"Yes, it is!" Vianna shouted as she lifted her head up to look at him. "If I would have just listened, my dad would be ok. I should have never gone into the forest. My mom warned me. I just wanted to make some friends!" She cried, allowing her head to fall into her arms once again. Muffled cries escaped her.
The alpha moved his hand right below the nape of Vianna's neck. He could feel her anger. He then realized what she said.
He sat down beside her on the bench. "What new friends are you talking about Vianna?" He asked carefully not to frighten her.
"Nothing." Vianna said, turning her head away, realizing she had let her secret out to the Alpha!
"Vianna. What is going on?" He questioned her. "Nothing Alpha." She said as she ran away downstairs nearly knocking Catelyn over as she crossed her pathway.
"Vianna!" Catelyn shouted. She did not stop or look back.
Sargon sat there for a moment, processing what had just happened. Who was Vianna trying to meet in the forest? What friends were she talking about? He thought.
"Let her go Catelyn. She needs to feel her emotions. She blames herself for her father's condition." Sargon said as he stood up and approached Catelyn. She nodded her head in agreement.
Sargon did not mention what Vianna had said to him about "new friends". He did not want to worry her mother any more than she already worried.
"What did the doctor say, Sargon." She asked hesitantly as she twisted a napkin between her fingers nervously.
Sargon could tell she was holding back tears and trying her hardest to be strong. His gaze fell to the ground.
Sargon took a deep breath and let it out to prepare himself to respond. He looked Catelyn in the eyes as stressed consumed him.
"Well, for now he will be given fresh blood until the doctor can find a way to reverse whatever the poisonous liquid was designed to do. He is no better or worse for now. We just have to move quickly before he takes a turn for the worse." He said truthfully.
"I understand. Is there anything I can do to help?" Catelyn asked, feeling hopeless as she wrapped her arm around her stomach to calm her nerves.
"For right now, just keep yourself and Vianna healthy. I will arrange for you both to come stay at the castle. Harold will be set up there as well. It is the only way I can keep you all safe. I am not sure if this was a direct attack or not. I cannot take a chance. I will also have my security check your home daily to make sure it is secure." He said, leaving no room for Catelyn to refuse his help.
"As you wish, Alpha. Thank you for your kindness. I don't know what we would do without you." She said as she bowed her head slightly and head towards the room where Harold lay, fighting for his life.