He didn't know why he agreed to come on this particular mystery. His grandmother had warned him about the fae, the other-worldly, the creatures that inspired horror movies. She had warned him to stay away from such beings yet, here he was lying hurt on the ground as one examined him. He would've been reassured had he not seen the dark coloration of her wings. Oh, yes there were two kinds of fairies. The light benevolent kind and the dark malevolent kind who were known for trickery and mischief. The fairy that hovered over him was the latter. She bore pale skin and wings the color of dark crystals that shimmered purple sparkles. She pressed a hand to his head making him shiver at her ice-cold skin. The being retracted her hand only to lift him from the ground and carry him into the barren field before them. Shaggy wanted to fight, wanted to struggle but he couldn't the pain of his injuries was too much for him and he passed out.

…...

When Shaggy woke next he found himself on a bed that wasn't his own. Maybe Daphne's? But when did Daphne own pink covers? Usually, they were a deep purple. And where did the patchwork quilt come from? Shaggy tried to sit up but froze when someone gently pushed him down into the silken sheets again. Shaggy paled when he saw it was the same dark fairy from before.

"P-please don't h-hurt me,"

"Shh, you've been injured and you need rest,"

"You're, you're-"

"You've no reason to fear me. My parents raised me to be kind-hearted," she told him as she pulled a lavender robe over the cream nightdress she was wearing.

"Dark" Shaggy rasped before the creature shushed him once more and pressed water to his lips.

"Drink," she coaxed.

Shaggy having no other choice drank from the crystal glass, happy to find it was merely water. Surely he had wound up in the other world. The world of the creatures, beings that weren't human. His grandmother had told him of this world and how it was a reflection of their own. How these beings lived here to escape the humans that hunted, captured and killed them for sport, for profit.

Shaggy watched the fairy very carefully, afraid she might be lulling him into a false sense of security.

"Your injuries are very bad. You'll have to stay here until they heal,"

That was the last thing Shaggy heard before passing out again.

…...

When he woke again it was night time instead of morning. Had he slept all day?

He tried to look around but it caused pain to shoot through him. He remembered. He had fallen from the window of the building they had been searching. Then as he was laying there in intense pain the fairy came and took him away.

Now, he could hear a crackling fire and feel it's warm heat but he couldn't turn to see it. He tried to study the things he could see from where he was. The fire had cast a warm glow on the wall before him, allowing him to see the painting that hung there. It depicted a field of wildflowers. Shaggy squinted. Were they moving? He then watched as a butterfly fluttered into the painting. Magic, it must have been magic he decided. Under the painting, he spied a bookshelf that seemed to be overflowing with books. A family of rag dolls and a teddy bear with a ribbon around its neck were perched on top of the bookshelf. Did this fairy kidnap children? Did she eat them?

Shaggy heard the door open and expected the fairy to come but he was alarmed to hear the tell-tell sound of nails on hardwood floors. A monster had arrived to eat him he supposed. He screwed his eyes shut and prepared to die. He tensed when he felt something-the monster-jump on the bed. It was getting closer. He could feel the warm breath on his face. It oddly smelt of kibble.

It licked him.

Shaggy's eyes shot open.

There was a Golden Retriever sitting on his chest. A puppy from the looks of it.

Shaggy watched frozen as the puppy climbed off of him and crawled onto the pillow next to him, curling up by his head. Shaggy recalled when Scooby used to do the same as a tiny puppy/

wait.

Scooby.

The gang.

Oh, no. They must have been worried sick over him.

The puppy nuzzled him as if sensing his stress. Shaggy felt tears coming. Hot sticky tears. His grandmother had also told him how hard it was to get out of the realm. The door creaked and Shaggy watched as the fairy entered the room. Two wolves and a cat trailed behind her. Huh? She stepped over to the bed and reached down to scoop the puppy up only to freeze at the sight of his tears. She gently wiped the tears away.

"I know you're missing your friends. Don't worry, they're okay,"

"They'll be looking for me,"

"I wouldn't be so sure. Time here works differently. A few minutes here could be a few months there or a few months here could be a few minutes there,"

"I-I have to go home," Shaggy choked out.

The fairy looked sad.

"I'm sorry but the portals won't open back up for at least a year,"

Shaggy cried.

"Why'd you bring me here?"

"If I hadn't you would've died,"

Shaggy cried harder. He was trapped here for at least a year. If what the fairy had told him was the truth he would return to a much-changed world. He'd miss his sister's birthday. His high school graduation. Everything. He neglected to think that just the opposite could be true and he wouldn't miss any of those things. He also didn't register that the fairy had saved his life. He was too worked up to think straight after all.

He stiffened as the fairy laid a hand to his head. She truly was wicked ripping him away from everything and he told her just that. She retracted her hand and left the room quietly. Shaggy noticed how deflated she looked. Like she had just been punched in the gut or told that her pet dog had died. Was it possible for her to feel sadness after all?

He fell asleep pondering this.

…...

Over the course of the next week, the fairy continuously cared for him despite what he had said. He suspected he had hurt her feelings since she barely spoke to him. When Shaggy was well enough to sit up and stay that way without causing his head to swim he grabbed her arm.

"Wait,"

She turned to him.

"Like, I'm sorry,"

She said nothing. She just watched him with big brown eyes glassy with unshed tears.

"It was like, wrong of me to call you wicked when you are like, trying to help me,"

"I won't say it's alright because it isn't but I accept your apology,"

As she turned to leave again he asked her to stay

"It gets boring staring at a wall even if that painting does change,"

"Yes, I suppose it would,"

"What's your name?" Shaggy asked upon realizing that he did not know her name.

"Christina,"

"I'm Shaggy,"

As they talked Shaggy couldn't help but eye the toys on the shelf. Christina seemed to notice this and brought the bear over to him.

"Whose are they?" he asked as she set the beardown.

"Mine,"

It finally dawned on Shaggy that he had been sleeping in Christina's room. In Christina's bed. Then where had Christina been sleeping? He wanted to ask but thought it might be an awkward question so he let it die a quiet death. Instead, he watched as Christina took care of him changing his bandages and making sure he was okay.

"Do you think I can get up now?" Shaggy asked quietly curious about how this fairy lived. His grandmother had said this world was a reflection of theirs but she never said to what extent it was.

"Yes, but you can't be on your feet for very long,"

Christina helped Shaggy to his feet and guided him into a cozy looking living room. Honestly, Shaggy wasn't sure what to expect. Going on his grandmother's stories he had expected a very old castle but Christina lived in a house. A rather big house but it was still a house. Shaggy observed the warm inviting colors and décor of the living room. The soft browns and oranges of the paint. The sofa that faced the lit fireplace with photos and fresh flowers on the mantle/ the coffee table where books were stacked neatly.

Christina continued to guide him on a tour of the first floor of the house. Showing him the professional kitchen, the spacious dining room, her small library, and her little art studio.

"If you can't find me in either of those places I'm in the garden," she explained as she brought him back to the bedroom.

No sooner had she put him back in bed did he pass out.

…...

Christina had always possessed a kind heart. So when she had found Shaggy laying hurt on the ground she knew she had to help. She knew bringing him to her world the day before the portal closed wasn't considered very smart by some but she couldn't just let him die! Her parents had raised her to be better than that. So, she had brought Shaggy home quickly healing most of his injuries and cleaning him up. Sure, she supposed it would have made more sense to put him in one of the scarcely used guest rooms but her room was closest at the time. Over the course of a few days, she watched over him while he remained unconscious. When he first woke Christina could see the fear. She knew he like most humans had probably heard of what the humans liked to call mystical beings, fae, and other names.

It had broken her heart when he called her wicked. Causing the painful taunts of her childhood to resurface but she never stopped caring for Shaggy. She decided to press on. It proved to be a rewarding task as he soon apologized. Now, Christina stood over Shaggy pulling the blanket snug around him before leaving him to sleep in peace. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and went to her temporary room. The one that reminded her of her parents and how they would have loved this house. If only they were still there with her.

...

"Run, Christina, Run,"

"I can't leave you-"

"Christina, we'll always be with you but you need to run. The portal will close soon,"

"But-"

"GO," Radu shouted as the hunters advanced.

…...

Christina shook her head to rid herself of the painful memories it did no good to dwell on the past. It only brought her sadness. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand and checked the time. It wasn't late. It wasn't even noon yet. She had to find something to do seeing as she had already cleaned house and taken care of Shaggy. Her garden had already been tended to and she didn't want to sit around all day long. Luckily, the answer to her question provided its self.

Christina, can you watch Tannis for a few hours? Cleo had texted.

Sure. Christina had replied.

Five minutes later she got a similar text asking if she could watch Winnie.

When both girls arrived Christina sat them down to explain about Shaggy.

"Okay, you two, you know how I go on my trip every year?" Christina asked gently once both girls were seated.

"The one we aren't supposed to ask about?"

"Yes,"

the two nodded,

"Well, I brought something back with me this time,"

"What?"

"A guest,"

"A HUMAN?"

"Shh, he's sleeping, Winnie,"

"Sorry,"

"Why, Christina?" Tannis asked her big blue eyes going straight to Christina's heart.

"Because he was hurt and needed help, Tannis."

"You're always helping," Winnie sighed.

"Well, that's the way I was raised,"

The two girls waited with baited breath hoping that Christina would tell them a story of her childhood. Maybe about her days at Grimwoods. Christina didn't speak often about her childhood or her parents and the two girls always wanted to hear about that time. They often asked their families about Christina and her parents but all they were willing to disclose was that Christina's parents had died a few years before the two were born. Silently, they waited. Luckily, it paid off. As Christina soon launched into a story.

"I was just around your age,"

…...

Christina woke up excitedly. Today, she was five! She was a big girl now! Or at least that's what her daddy had told her. She slid out of bed and rushed to the closet where her mother took her measurements. Christina wanted to see if she'd gotten any bigger. she stood on her tip-toes and tried to see if she had grown any but she didn't realize she wouldn't be able to tell on her own. She was just so excited. When the door opened, Christina abandoned her quest and rushed into her father's waiting arms.

"How's the birthday princess today?" Radu asked happily as he spun his daughter around and around.

"Am I bigger yet Daddy?" Christina asked her eyes round with curiosity that never wavered.

"Why don't we take a look?" Alissa asked as she swept into the room.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

"And suddenly, Daddy doesn't matter," Radu chuckled as he passed his daughter to his wife.

"You matter, Daddy but I haven't seen Mommy for a long time," Christina informed him with a giggle.

"I put you to bed last night my little butterfly," Alissa reminded her daughter as she took her measurements.

"Do I get presents today?" Christina asked bouncing up and down after Alissa had finished.

"Yes, you do," Radu laughed as he and Alissa took Christina to the living room where a giant box was waiting in the middle of the floor with a giant bow on top.

Upon seeing it Christina broke free of her parent's grip and rushed to the box. She tore at the shiny wrapping paper with gusto and lifted the lid before tossing it to the side. the box was so big she had to climb inside it to get to her gift. She squealed excitedly upon seeing the two tiny wolf pups. They hadn't been in the box for very long at all only under a minute

Alissa helped her daughter out of the box while Radu retrieved the cubs before setting them on Christina's lap.

"They're going to protect you sweetie and make sure you stay safe,"

"Why?"

"Because that's their job,"

"Why?"

"Because you're special,"

"Why?"

"Because people might not think that when you start school,"

"What are you going to name them?" Alissa asked brushing the hair from Christina's face.

Christina laughed as the black pup licked her fingers.

"Thunder,"

"What about the other one?"

"Fluffy," Christina decided.

…...

Tannis laughed as the wolves climbed onto Christina's lap. After Christina had told them the story she had let the girls color in her art studio while she tried to finish her latest sketch. She had a deadline to make. Of course, it didn't help that she was trying to illustrate three children's books at once. With a sigh, Christina pushed her pets away. They were persistent however and climbed back onto Christina.

"I don't think they're going to give up," Winnie giggled.

"Lay down," Christina ordered firmly.

Winnie's mouth hung open as she watched the wolves jump off of Christina's lap and curl up in a corner.

"I stand corrected,"

"yes, you do,"

…...

Shaggy woke to the sounds of laughter and merry-making. He laid still trying his best to discern what was going on outside of the room. It sounded like children were playing. What was going on? The door creaked open and Christina stepped inside carrying a tray of food. Shaggy sat up to eat and that's when he noticed Christina wasn't alone. There was a tiny mummy with her. Shaggy watched as the little mummy hid behind Christina when she passed him the tray.

"Who's your friend, Christina?" Shaggy asked.

"This is Tannis. I'm watching her and her friend Winnie for a few hours," Turning to Tannis Christina said," Go ahead and grab the dolls Tannis,"

Tannis scooped the ragdolls off the shelf and hurried out of the room.

"She's just nervous. Humans aren't very common here," Christina explained.

Shaggy could understand. He was nervous too. Nervous about returning to a world where everything had changed. That thought did more than make him nervous. It downright terrified him.

"Like, do you think I can like, sit in the living room when I'm done?"

"I don't see a problem with it,"

So, after he had eaten his meal, Christina helped Shaggy to the living room where Tannis and Winnie were trying to teach Christina's puppy how to balance a treat on her nose. When the two girls saw Shaggy they froze.

"It's alright girls," Christina reassured the two.

Tannis slowly reached for the dolls and started playing family after deciding she wasn't going to be scared. Winnie, on the other hand, stared at Shaggy. He wasn't entirely human and she smelt it. It might have been dormant in the human realm but come tonight the wolf that waited inside would wake. Who knew how this human would react to the knowledge that they really weren't human. Rather than tell Shaggy this Winnie kept her mouth shut and went back to playing with Christina's pets. When it came time for the girls to leave Winnie had forgotten to tell Christina. Which was a mistake.

…...

Shaggy woke that night to the feeling of being stabbed by a thousand needles. He didn't know what was happening and it scared him. He writhed in pain as his teeth sharpened themselves and his nails extended into claws. Then it stopped. Only for a moment as his heightened senses kicked in and a plethora of new instincts and ideas flooded his brain. Shaggy sat up. His sight now allowed him to see everything in the dark down to the tiniest detail. Shaggy stiffened as new scents slammed into him.

One scent, in particular, intrigued him. He had to follow it. See where it led him. What was it that drove him to do it he didn't know. He left the room and followed the strangely intoxicating scent up the stairs and down a hall to a room he hadn't seen before. The door was ajar and Shaggy slipped inside quietly. He found it. Or rather found her.

The scent belonged to Christina.

Shaggy was in a daze. He had to get closer. Shaggy moved closer to the bed. Closer and closer.

Then the wolves woke.

All of their barking, snarling and howling put Shaggy on the defensive

all the noise woke Christina who sat up with a start.

There was a werewolf in her bedroom.

A werewolf was in her bedroom.

WEREWOLF IN HER BEDROOM!

Christina grabbed her wand from the nightstand and prepared to fire.

She was stopped when Sandy jumped from the bed and trotted over to the strange werewolf.

Wait.

That werewolf was SHAGGY.

Christina sat frozen, wand still in hand. Shaggy was a werewolf. A werewolf who seemed ready to tear her pets apart. That thought spurred Christina to action.

"FREEZE"

Everything except Christina froze in place. She leaped from her bed and bolted to the library. There were a few ways this could have happened but at that moment Christina knew that out of all the possibility there was only one explanation. Upon entering the library, Christina rushed to the shelf farthest from the doorway. Running her hands along the books in the middle she found a black book in the dead center and gave it a sharp tug. The shelf flipped around revealing a shelf full of magical books that Christina kept hidden so that they couldn't be stolen. On the very top shelf resting on a tiny stand was the Grimness Book of Records. Her uncle had entrusted it to her a few years back saying that he was going to give it to her father but-

Christina reached up and grabbed the book. Now was NOT the time to go down that road. Now, was the time to figure out what was going on.

"Show me the next destined werewolf," she ordered the book.

The book sparked to life. Its pages flipping open their own before landing on the werewolf prophecy.

Just as she thought.

It was Shaggy.

Being in this realm must have awakened the wolf.

Armed with this knowledge and the book Christina left the library but not before correcting the bookshelf. She marched back up the stairs. When she reentered the room she sat down before undoing her freezing spell. Instantly, the wolves and Shaggy went back to their standoff.

"HEEL," Christina cried before the wolves could so much as bite Shaggy.

The wolves sat down and Shaggy calmed. He was still in a daze though as Christina had expected. She grabbed the dog whistle and blew as hard as she could.

"OWWWWWWWWWWW,"

Once Shaggy got a good look at himself in Christina's vanity mirror he freaked out. He spun around to face Christina who knew that he thought she had done this. Rather than be hurt like before, Christina opened the book and pointed to what she had discovered.

"I know you're confused and scared. You probably thought I did this but I haven't as you can see it's out of my hands,"

"So, I'm stuck like this forever?"

"In wolf form? No, you'll change back in the morning but yes, you are stuck with these abilities," Christina explained gently as Shaggy crumpled to the floor.

"Like, I-I C-can't-g-go home," Shaggy cried.

Christina's heart shattered. It was true. A werewolf in the human world would be hunted for sport, caught and skinned or used as a freak show attraction. Christina set the book down and rose from the bed before dropping to the floor beside Shaggy who was crying relentlessly. She wanted to comfort him but she highly doubted that he would let her. So, she just sat there with a box of tissues on her lap. Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed her, clinging desperately to her. Little did she know just how comforting Shaggy thought she was. He clung to her, focusing on her and her scent.

Christina froze but only for a moment as she wrapped her arms around him. He was clearly very distraught. He sobbed into her shoulder and she just let him. When he finally quieted down he just sat there holding onto her.

"Christina?"

"Yes?"

"Can-can I stay with you? For good?"

"Yes," Christina said without much hesitation.

She knew the fear most of her kind had of humans. It wouldn't be wise for her to just send Shaggy away even though he was pretty much healed due to that night's events. Besides, she could use some help around the house.

…...

The next day, Christina moved back into her bedroom while Shaggy took over the room she had been in the night before. After that, they sat down to breakfast where Christina explained what needed to happen now that Shaggy lived there.

"I need to go into town for groceries today, do you want to come with me?" Christina asked.

"Sure,"

"Okay,"