"Vianna! I need to speak with you." Dr. Brinks knocked at her door. He waited a moment for her to respond. After a few minutes, he realized something wasn't right.
"Hannah, would you go into the child's room and wake her? She needs to eat and shower after I speak to her. I trust you will handle that." He said.
"Of course, doctor. Give me a moment to wake her and have her wash her face and teeth." Hannah said as she reached for a key from her pocket.
She turned the key in the lock and slowly opened the door, knocking on it one more time before she fully entered.
Hannah walked slowly towards Vianna's bed. The room felt cold compared to the rest of the castle. It was a strange feeling. She began getting goose bumps.
Vianna was covered in her bed, motionless. Her shiny red and gold hair was draped over her face and her pillow while she slept.
"Vianna." Hannah sang, gently moving Vianna's hair from her face. She did not move.
Hannah reached for her blanket and pulled it off of her slightly. She was sweating. Hannah checked her temperature, and she was burning up.
"Dr. Brinks, come here quickly!" Hannah shouted at the doctor who was still standing outside the door.
When Hannah looked back at Vianna her eyes were open and staring at her. They were pitch black surrounded by her pale face. Hannah gasped, falling backwards on the floor.
"Are you alright?" Dr. Brink's asked her while he reached for her arm and helped her up. When she looked at Vianna again, her eyes were their normal grey-blue color. Hannah shook her head.
"I am fine doctor. I just slipped." She replied.
"Are you sure?" Dr. Brink's asked.
"Yes. I believe I may be a little tired. That is all. I called you because Vianna seems to have a fever. She was also sweating under her blanket, yet her room is nearly ice cold." She informed him.
"The room does feel rather chilly. Let me check her quickly." Dr. Brinks said reaching for a thermometer.
"Vianna. How are you feeling?" He asked her.
"I am a little tired and hungry" She replied.
"Well, hungry is good. Let's go get you something to eat! We have all your favorite foods and snacks." He said as Vianna smiled.
"I have some good news for you also. You father is doing much better. He should be awake soon." Dr. Brinks told her.
"Daddy is getting better?" She asked, wide eyed and excited.
"Yes. We had a friend come by and she helped us heal him. He is not out of danger completely, but we will get him there." Dr. Brinks said, trying to find the best way to keep Vianna's spirits up.
"Ok." Vianna said a little less enthused as before.
"Don't worry little one. It will all work out. You will see." He said with a smile as he took his finger and tapped the tip of her nose. She gave a crooked smile and crossed her eyes.
"Can I see my dad?" Vianna asked.
"Sure, you can. After you shower and we get you fed, you can go see him. He should be up by then." He said.
"Yay! I am going to get ready now!" She said jumping off the bed and running towards the bathroom.
"Hannah, are you ok staying with her until she finishes? Dr. Brinks asked her.
"Uh, sure doctor. I will take her to the kitchen and let her help me make her dessert after she eats her meal. She will like that." She said.
"Perfect. Bring her to see Harold when she is finishes." Dr. Brinks said.
"Yes doctor." Hannah replied as the doctor left her to attend to Vianna.
Doctor Brinks made his way down to the dining hall to catch up with the Alpha. Entering the room, he saw Sargon and Marie finishing their meals and chatting.
"So, have we decided what happens next?" He asked them both.
"Yes. Marie leaves in the morning unless she changes her mind and stays an extra day." Sargon said, looking over at Marie with his hopes high.
"Well, it is best to go as soon as possible but if you need another day to gather yourself, I don't see it hurting Harold's progress. He is doing very well right now. His vitals are much more improved." Dr. Brinks said, noticing something more than just business between the two.
"Well, I can spend one more day here, but I must leave right after, No excuses!" She said firmly.
"Fantastic! If you are finished, we can go see Harold and introduce you before I take you to your room." Sargon said, satisfied with Marie's decision.
The three walked out of the dining hall and head straight to Harold's room.
Outside of Harold's room stood two guards. Sargon decided it would be best to have more than less, just in case.
The guard's opened both doors to his room as they walked in. To their surprise, Harold was awake and sitting up.
"Harold, you are awake!" Sargon said, excitedly as he reached for Harold, giving him a firm hug.
"Hey Sargon. Hey doc." He replied groggily. Dr. Brink's immediately began assessing his progress.
"Harold, this is Marie. She is who helped us. Apparently, a witch cast a spell so that when the Rogues attacked you, the wounds would not heal. The spell was supposed to kill your wolf and then your human side." Sargon said, trying to fill Harold in as much as possible.
"Thank you for your help, Marie. I don't know how I will ever repay you." He said, as he reached for Marie's hand and gently kissed her knuckles.
"Well, I guess all wolves are charming here." She teased as Harold chuckled.
"You're welcome, Harold. I am happy to help. There is more that you need to know though." She said, as she looked at the Alpha before continuing. Sargon, nodded for her to continue.
"I am leaving the day after tomorrow so that I can find a few witches to help me with the other part of this. Your wolf is dormant right now. It is the only way I could keep you alive. I have to find the witch who cast the spell in order to break it or you will lose your wolf permanently." Marie said simply.
Harold's expression changed the more information she gave.
"How long before I lose my wolf?" He asked with concern in his voice.
"I am not sure. It could be months or a year. I am not taking any chances. That is why I am leaving so soon. All you need to do is take care of your health, stay safe and understand that you cannot shift." She said.
It seemed like a long list of instructions to Harold, but he nodded in compliance.
"Thank you again for all that you are doing, Marie." He said as she smiled in return.
"Well Harold, you are doing much better. Your wounds are almost like they never happened." Dr. Brinks said.
"Daddy!" Vianna said as she pushed through Sargon and Marie and ran straight to her father. She climbed on the bed and threw her arms around him as tears streamed out of her eyes.
"Oh Princess, I am so sorry." Don't say that daddy." Vianna said, holding Harold like she would never let go.
Marie's eyes began to tear at the sight of this little girl who nearly lost her father. She quickly wiped away her tears. Even more now than before, she knew she had to help him. This little girl needed her dad.
Sargon looked at Marie in his peripheral vision, admiring her and how big her heart was. Who was this woman and how did they get so lucky to have her helping them? He wondered.
"Good evening everyone." Catelyn said softly as she walked into the room. Everyone became quiet as soon as she spoke. Sargon and Marie moved aside to give her a clear path to Harold.
Catelyn slowly walked towards Harold as her eyes became moist with tears. She placed her hand over her mouth and began crying.
"Mommy, don't cry." Vianna said as she sat back and Harold reached for Catelyn's hand, pulling her close to him. He held the back of her neck and kissed her face and lips.
"I missed you, beautiful." He whispered in her ear as she held him tightly.
Marie motioned for Sargon to leave the room as they quietly left the family to be reunited.
"I don't know what I would do…" Harold stopped Catelyn before she could finish.
"I am not going anywhere. I never was. I love you." He said as Catelyn and Vianna hugged him.
"Good! You better not!" She warned. There is something I need to tell you." Catelyn said, breaking their embrace.
"What is it, love?" He asked as he took both of her hands in his.
"Remember when we kept trying to have another child after Vianna?" She asked, nervously.
"You're pregnant? He asked, excitedly. Catelyn shook her head to respond as Harold pulled her in again, hugging her tightly.
"Doctor, we are going to have a baby!" He said, beaming with pride.
"Yes, you are. Congratulations to you both." Dr. Brinks said.
"Mom, I am getting a brother or sister?" She asked, just learning about the pregnancy for the first time.
"Yes, sweetheart." Catelyn replied, giving Vianna a little squeeze. Vianna was delighted at the news.
Satisfied with Harold's assessment. Dr. Brinks left them to enjoy the news of their new addition to the family and finally get himself some rest after the long tiring day.