ABBY

Chapter 10

Lawrence Collard is fuming while glaring at the ancient witch sitting on the in front of him. His green eyes turning a darker hue as he feels the hair at the back of his neck stand on end. This is not the first encounter between the two of them. "You poisoned me!" She screeches at the top of her lungs, making the windows vibrate and the hallway of the Slate Hospital echo. "And don't you glare at me like that, Pup. I'm as old as the mountains and far wiser that you can ever be..." She sneers. And blind as a bat, too.

"Mrs. Parker, please keep your voice down." Dr. Hugh says calmly as he stands across from Lawrence, throwing him a sympathetic glance. The old woman huffs, crosses her arms over her chest and leans back against the pillows with a thud. Childish.... Lawrence thinks to himself as he pinches the bridge of his nose. Dr. Hugh snickers where he stands next to the bed earning him a deadly glare for Lawrence.

Fortunately, the young woman who came in with Mrs. Parker, explained the whole situation. Mrs. Parker is among the elder Witches in the coven and her eyesight is busy declining, but she has a stubborn streak in her. She's adamant to mix her potions and ointments herself, becoming a danger to herself and to others in the process. She gets confused with her herbs and poisons, blaming the younger witches for messing with her bottles and sachets.  

Sighing, Lawrence looks down at the old woman. He won't win this fight. Just like he didn't win the previous ten. "Mrs. Parker, you'll have to stay in bed for at least two days to let the side-effects wear off. In the meantime, please refrain from using any herbs, or any of the ointments that you mixed in the last week. We need to make sure they are safe." He tries to explain, but the look the old hag throws him, silences him instantly. The last thing he needs now is an angry witch casting a spell on him. Possibly turning him into a frog or something outrages.

Dr. Hugh clears his throat and looks at Lawrence, saying: "Lawrence, I'll handle Mrs. Parker. Please go and do some rounds. We're pack this week." Nodding, Lawrence takes his leave, thankful to Dr. Hugh for saving his hide yet again from the scorn of the old witch.

Stepping out into the hallway, a feint, yet familiar scent fills his nostrils. Dean, his wolf, is up in arms and excited. Following his nose, the scent becomes stronger till he reaches the reception. Another scent then also hits him. "It's not a rogue." Dean's voice rings out in his mind. "Maybe a Wanderer from the old Castelena pack. Remember the stories Gramps told us." He answers as his eyes land on a broad back, standing tall in front of the tiny receptionist, who's looking up at the huge man. Ash pale...

By his dress code, Lawrence can see he's a seaman. "Can I see Dr. Hugh, please?" He asks in a gruff voice. Peaking his interest, Lawrence steps closer. As he reaches the counter, the big man turns around. He's holding a small woman in his arms. By her pale skin tone and small sweat beads on her forehead, Lawrence can tell she's sick.

The smell for Jasmine fills his senses. "Law, it's her." Dean says, wagging his tail. Lawrence approaches the sailor, cautiously. He seems protective of her. "He's a warrior, Law. Careful." Dean says as he retreats again to the back of his mind. "Ashley, what seems to be the problem?" He asks, catching a side glance of the tiny figure in the warrior's arms.

Ashley gulps and diverts her eyes from the big man. "Uhm....He want to see Dr. Hugh. She's been poisoned and needs help." Ashley manages to squeak in a tiny voice. Lawrence looks up at the man. Recognition in his eyes. This is a warrior Lycan standing before him. Strong as ever. "Can I take a look at her?" He asks, almost cautiously. He's still a Beta in the rankings, his twin brother, Dominique the alpha. So, he still is in control. At least, he hopes so.

Samuel looks down at the pup in front of him. There is strong blood running in his veins and he's screaming Beta status, but Samuel is still reluctant to let Abby go. "Lead the way, Pup." He says in a low growl. His chest vibrating. The receptionist gulps and cringes into herself, but the young doctor doesn't bat an eye as he leads them to a nearby consulting room.

Laying Abby on the bed, a soft whimper escapes her lips. A shiver runs down Lawrence's back.

Straightening himself, Samuel throws the doctor a glance. A warning to stay in line. Since he's a Wanderer, rank doesn't apply. One wrong step, and Samuel will do everything to protect his captain.

Lawrence doesn't react. He focuses on the petite woman laying on the bed. She's really sick and he's feeling nausea pushing it's way up from his stomach. "Hello, Sweetheart." He says as he checks her vitals. She opens her eyes, and Lawrence is met with a pair of sky blue eyes. Her angel face framed by blond waves of hair.

A moment passes as the two of them keep eye contact. A coughing fit causes Abby to cringe into herself as the pain shoots through her entire body. She's weak and the herb solutions Joseph mixed, did bring relief, but it was not the cure and the poison still spread. Covering her mouth with her hand, it's covered with blood as she lays back against the pillow. Looking up at Samuel, she sees concern and fear in his eyes.

"Sam, don't worry so much." She says weakly, a feint smile almost reaching her lips before she slips into unconsciousness. Lawrence feels panic rise in his gut.  Running out the door, he makes a beeline for Mrs. Parker's room. Bursting through the door, the old witch starts to cuss, but Lawrence zones in on Dr. Hugh. "We have an emergency, Doc."

Following Lawrence down the hall, Dr. Hugh glances over at the young doctor. He's known the twins since birth and this is a first. He senses panic and fear in Lawrence. Something the Collard twins rarely shows. What is this? 

Walking in behind Lawrence, Dr. Hugh is met by a huge Warrior Lycan, ready to fight. "Stand down, Warrior. We're not here to fight." He cautiously steps closer to the tiny figure laying on the bed. A low growl makes him stop in his tracks. Looking at Lawrence, the young man's eyes turned gold. A warning. "Law, I have to look at her to help her. Or we'll be having a dire situation on our hands." He explains, cautiously.

Lawrence shakes his head. Dean jumped forward without warning. The young woman on the bed is their mate and no-one is allowed near her. He's fighting Dean to back off and give Dr. Hugh a chance to examine to woman. What a day this has been so far. First the old bat accused him for poisoning her. Then a huge Wanderer steps into their territory and now he's found his mate. And she is need of some miracle.

Dr. Hugh sees Lawrence relax and he steps forward once more. Looking closer at her, Dr. Hugh recognizes the young woman. Her blond hair and delicate features are a dead give-away. He knew she went after her father and thought she was lost at sea. At least that is what the rumors in the streets said. That she went down with a ship during battle and yet. Here she lays on the hospital bed in front of him. Alive...as far as alive permits by the look of things.

Abby...