"I never thanked you for your letter. It really meant a lot to me." Vianna told Alaric as they walked up the stone pathway to the castle entrance.
As agreed, their parents allowed them to play nearby the castle with a guard present. The children were simply happy to be outdoors.
"You're welcome. As annoying as you are, I missed you like crazy. I thought you would never talk to me again. Then who would I bother all the time?" Alaric said with a smirk.
"I still feel like this is all my fault, Al. My dad would be doing well if I didn't disobey. Now he might lose his wolf. His wolf is everything to him. It's his power and his bravery. I took that away from him. If he wasn't there that day…"
Tears brimmed her eyes at the thought of the attack.
"You can't think like that Ana. Bad things and good things happen to people. It's how you handle things is what makes you who you are. That's what my dad always says." He said.
"What if he never gets back his wolf, Alaric? He would never be the same. He probably won't be able to be the Beta anymore. I won't get to see you as much." She said, as worry consumed her.
Alaric looked at her pensively. He walked up to Vianna, wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big bear hug.
"That won't happen. Everything will work out Ana. There is no way my dad would remove your dad's Beta title. Just wait, you will see." He said reassuringly.
Alaric was such a wise young boy. He was a natural leader and such a caring one at that.
Vianna and Alaric walked into the castle for their lunch. They were starving after playing so long.
Vianna noticed a troubling air circulating in the castle as they walked in.
"Do you feel that?" She asked Alaric.
"Yes, something is wrong." He replied.
They went into the kitchen looking for Hannah.
The maids were in a huddle together looking like they were discussing something important.
Everyone disbursed and went back to their duties when Alaric and Vianna walk in.
"What's going on Hannah?" Alaric asked her.
Hannah took a moment to answer. She did not want to worry the children.
"There has been a breach in the castle walls. Your fathers are taking care of it. Until we know more, you both must stay inside. It is not safe outside." She warned.
"Yes ma'am." They said in unison.
"After lunch you may retreat to the library or one of the playrooms. A guard will accompany you at all times for the time being." Hannah said firmly.
"We understand." Alaric replied.
Alaric and Vianna took their meals to the lounge to eat.
"What do you think is happening?" Vianna asked Alaric.
"I don't know but I don't like the sound of it." He said, taking a big bite out of his sandwich. It was almost too big to chew.
"You look like a chipmunk!" Vianna laughed.
Alaric almost choked from laughing as well.
"Hey Al, can I tell you something." She asked as her face became serious.
"You can tell me anything Ana. You know that." He replied as he swallowed the remaining chunk of food in his mouth.
He quickly chased it down with a glass of cold water.
Vianna looked out the lounge window as though she wasn't sure of what she could share with Alaric.
"You cannot tell anyone about this, no matter how bad it sounds." She warned.
"What's going on Ana?" Alaric asked as he cocked his left brow examining her. His nerves began feeling unsettled suddenly.
"Don't look at me like that Al." Vianna said as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Aright, alright, get on with it." He said, rubbing his brows like his father did when he was frustrated.
"Ok. Something happened to me the day you gave me the letter." She said, taking her time with her words.
"You mean the day you totally ignored me after I poured my heart out to you." Alaric teased with slanted eyes glaring at Vianna..
Vianna rolled her eyes.
"I am serious Alaric. I am not going to tell you anymore if you don't stop teasing me." She cautioned.
Alaric made a motion of zipping his lips shut and began listening to her.
"Something happened that felt strange. I was in my room, and I had just read your letter. I wanted to see you so much after I read it, but I was so hurt and disappointed in myself. I just wanted to hide." She said.
Alaric remained quiet while she spoke.
"I saw a green sparkle, kind of like the sparkles we used to play with when we were smaller. It was in the middle of the room. I walked towards it." She said with a worried look.
"Why would you do that, Vianna??" Alaric said with frustration in his voice.
"Well, I wanted to see what it was. I thought it might be a magic fairy or something." She said.
"You watch way too many cartoons Ana." Alaric said shaking his head.
"When I walked up to it, it came straight to my face and disappeared. I ran to the mirror, and I looked like a fairy with bright green eyes and rosy cheeks. Then my eyes turned black, and I could see fangs. I heard a voice telling me not to be afraid and then my face looked normal again. After that, I was so tired, I just went to sleep." She said as she twirled her fingers together nervously.
"Ana, we need to tell our parents! You don't know what that could be with all the crazy things that have been happening." He said nervously.
"No, we can't say anything." She replied.
"Why? What if something else happens to you, Ana? What if it's a witch like the one who put a spell on your dad? You are putting yourself and others in danger." He said angrily."
"What if its not a witch!" She yelled. "I should have never said anything. You are supposed to be my friend!" Ana said frustrated at Alaric's response.
"Yes. I am your best friend and I care about you! I can't handle anything happening to you Ana! What am I supposed to do?" Alaric cried.
"You're supposed to just be my friend and show me that I can trust you!" She said.
"Of course, you can trust me! But, how can I say nothing when you might be in danger?" Alaric said as he briskly walked out of the lounge.
"Alaric!" Catelyn shouted as he walked right by her.
"What happened to him?" She asked Vianna as she entered the lounge.
"We had an argument." She replied.
"I am sorry sweetheart. Do you want to talk about out?" Catelyn asked.
"No! I hate it here and I want to go home!" She growled, knocking over her food tray, and storming out of the lounge.
Catelyn was in shock. She had never seen Vianna behave like that. Maybe she was still stressed. She was also getting to that age where her hormones would begin to become unstable. So many things ran through Catelyn's mind.
She had to keep Harold motivated, keep Vianna happy, and take care of the baby growing inside her along with her own health.
There was only so much she could take. She wondered how things would go with Marie and how long it would take.
She wondered if Harold and Sargon would get Answers out of the rogue that attacked the guards. Everything seemed like a big mess.
She became lightheaded at the thought of it all and lay down on the couch in the same lounge to rest herself.