Hello everyone! Just wanted to say I am very excited about the DLC coming out this October! What about you guys? Any who, this next chapter begins with Charlotte's steady transformation into a Lycan. While Alcina and her daughters' teach some of the maidens the severe consequences if they underperform. Never ever serve them cold blood tea. EVER.

Rowan stood with the stethoscope and listened to Charlotte's heart. He was monitoring her closely. Noting her eyes were changing color; her complexion paling, but not only that her physical appearance as well. She was gaining more muscle mass and getting taller.

"Rowan?"

"Take in a deep breath for me Charlotte," he directed, listening closely to a strange rumbling in her chest as she breathed in and out. "Good, open your mouth for me, my dear." Rowan examined her teeth, those too looking more dog-like than human.

"How am I?"

"Well, the only person who can answer that truthfully is you."

"To be honest, I am having trouble remembering things. I have such strange dreams that I become one of those monsters out there. A mindless feeding machine."

"Sounds like you are simply getting older to me," Rowan said, trying to liven up the mood.

"Doctor, you know what must be done. I am changing before your eyes. I will not risk putting you and your family in danger."

"You won't," he said. "You have lasted much longer than all the others I have treated, which shows me you will gain control of it."

Charlotte growled angrily. Sooner or later she would turn, but why Rowan seemed to be denying that fact was something she could not piece together.

"I will have Myra bring you some lunch. I'm sure you are starving."

"Doctor Rowan, wait!" Out the door he went, closing the door behind himself and leaving her alone once again. "I have to get out of here. I am starting to think I am becoming more of a project to him than a patient." Pulling the blankets off herself, Charlotte swung her legs off the bed, though she knew that was the easy part. "All right, Char, take a breath in and push!" She lifted herself off the bed and stood for a good minute before dropping back down on the bed. "Again." She took in a deep breath and pushed herself back up, maintaining her balance. "Good now to find—"

She stopped speaking, her body stiffening as she caught a scent she recognized. His foul odor. "What is he doing here?" she growled menacingly. "Lady Dimitrescu's lap dog, Rednic." She limped over to the window and opened it a crack, his scent much stronger outside. "What could he be up to? Taking more helpless children for Lady Dimitrescu's sadistic games?" She could feel a fire burning through her veins. This strong desire to tear him apart and eat his innards. "I am going to kill him!" her grip tightened on the windowsill to the point the window cracked. "Sorry, Doc, but you have done all you can for me. I must begin destroying all these pieces of filth before I lose myself to this curse!" Out the window she jumped, feeling the Lycan abilities starting to take over, but what Charlotte failed to notice was Katja. The child had been outside putting out laundry when she saw Charlotte escape out the window.

"Charlotte?" she said. "Wait!"

{…}

Preparations were well under way now, and all three girls were beginning to slowly realize their mother was plotting something. Bela trying her best to set a good example and ignore it all, could not help herself when Daniela and Cassandra would start theorizing. All three would be in the nursery and getting ready for bed when Daniela would ask the question.

"Do you think Mother is planning a party for us?"

"I'm sure she is," Cassandra said. "Why else would she be dragging us down to the Opera Hall and having us practice dancing."

"What do you think Bela?"

"I think you need to have patience and wait and see."

Cassandra snorted at her answer, rolling over on her side and pulling the blankets right over her head.

"Oh come on, Bela!" Daniela said, plopping herself down on Bela's bed. "You have to be a little curious about it, too. What do you think, honestly?"

"I do have theories, but I rather be surprised. Now get to bed. Pus-Pus is waiting for you."

Daniela sighed in frustration, leaping off her older sister's bed and climbing into her own.

"Good night, Sister."

"Good night, Dani."

"Good night, Cassandra," Daniela said.

Cassandra released a loud snore, making Bela roll her eyes and Daniela giggle.

Soon all three were fast asleep, not hearing their mother enter into the room to say her goodnights.

"It would appear I am too late," she whispered, going over to each bed. Bela always the first, she pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Next was Cassandra who was snoring loudly. "Oh precious." Alcina pulling down the blanket enough to place a kiss to her head, she walked over to Daniela who was sprawled out on her bed. Pillows on the floor, blankets hanging off the sides and the damn- "Oh gods!" Alcina pinched her nose just in time before she sneezed, quickly rearranging the bed for Daniela and then tucking her in comfortably. "What am I to do with you?" she said fondly to her sleeping babe, leaning forward and kissing her cheek. "Sleep well."

"Mother…" she murmured in her sleep, smiling.

Alcina could have remained with them the rest of the night. Watching them sleep like the sweet angels they were, but her instincts were telling her to go down to the Main Hall. Taking one final look at them, she ducked through the doorway and made her way down the halls. Wondering if Rednic had returned with the items she had written on the 'shopping' list.

When she reached the Main Hall all was in order. A fire roaring in the hearth; the chandelier dimmed and the servants all packed away in their sleeping quarters. Alcina was very much alone.

"It is too early for him to be back. Besides I had sent him out to do a few other chores. The man-thing should be occupied for the next few days before his return here." Alcina released a yawn, already having donned her red nightgown earlier on, she walked in the direction of her bed chamber. All the work for her children's celebration left her feeling that much more exhausted than before. "I will not be surprised if I awaken to find Daniela and Bela beside me." She chuckled. "I spoil them."

She got straight into bed, deciding to read her novella for a little while, she got through fifteen minutes and had to stop. Setting the book down, she scooted further into the mattress and closed her eyes. Sleep coming over her quickly, she had no idea of the time when she felt someone touch her arm. Alarmed by this action, Alcina extended her claws and was about to tear off the intruders head when she realized it was…

"Daniela? Dearest, what is the matter?"

"Momma," she whimpered, rubbing at her eyes. "I-I had a bad dream." She started to sniffle, tears filling her already red and puffy eyes.

Alcina scooting back so Daniela could climb into the bed with her, the two lay facing one another, Alcina's arm rested protectively around her waist.

"What did you dream?" she whispered once Daniela had settled.

"A creature had entered the castle and injured Bela…" Daniela bit her bottom lip, trying not to cry again.

"Dearest, you know that cannot ever happen," Alcina said, using her other hand to brush away the snot and rogue tear off her face.

"It hurt Cassandra, too, and… and…, it killed Pus-Pus."

"Shh, breathe, dear one."

"It was terrifying. I-I could do nothing to stop it. I kept calling f-for you, but you d-did not come. It then set its yellow eyes on me and that is when I woke up."

"You know that is certainly impossible. I will always come to your aide. No matter where I am. I will always protect you and your sisters."

"But there are times you cannot, like when Cassandra got hurt in the village."

"That is true, dearest, but I was able to save Cassandra in the end, yes?"

"Yes," Daniela nodded, lowering her head.

Alcina placed the tips of her fingers under Daniela's chin in order for her to look her straight in the eyes.

"You are my daughter, Daniela, and the scythe you wield represents the swords on our family crest, do you know what that means?"

"Feminine power?"

"Precisely. You and your sisters are more powerful than you even realize. There is no force on this earth that can defeat you. Nothing that can challenge your power. No matter what creature may try to do us harm, we stand united. Together. Always. No more tears. No more being afraid. We inflict fear unto others. We strike terror in the hearts of our enemies and carve it right out of their chests."

Daniela started to titter.

"We already carve hearts out, Mother."

Alcina chuckled softly, her lips curving up as she continued to look at her child. Did she understand her words? She hoped they had impacted her a little, but still. This dream she had had. The creature with yellow eyes. Could this be a form of premonition. That something dark was headed towards them just over the horizon, or perhaps even closer than that.

Charlotte…

The little wretch, where have you gone? Dead I hope.

Daniela's warm breath hitting against her skin pulled her back to the present.

"Sorry I woke you, Mother," she whispered, her eyelid's drooping. "I did not want to wake Bela and have Cassandra laugh at me for crying over a stupid dream."

"It is all right, dearest," Alcina whispered against her head. "I am glad you came to me. Never feel ashamed to tell me anything."

"Thank you…, Mother." Her breath grew steady, eyes finally closed as she fell into a tranquil sleep.

A tender kiss she placed to Daniela's forehead, stroking her digits through her child's hair and finding a few tangles. She worked them out and left the nests she could not untangle for the hair brush in the morning.

"Pretty girl." She murmured, Alcina's breath matching Daniela's as she, too, fell into a deep sleep. Her dreams of a life long passed. Sitting underneath a peach tree. The warm sun beating down on her head, forcing her to place her hat back on as she set up the lovely picnic.

'Girls!' she called out to them, she heard their giggling as they ran towards her. Five figures all wearing white dresses and holding hands as they approached her. 'My children. My beautiful children…'

{-}

The next morning Alcina was awoken at the feel of Daniela's arm slam across her face. The impact did not hurt, but it was startling. At first believing it was Cassandra once again waking her with a body slam.

"Daniela…"

Raising her child carefully and setting her down on the other side of the bed, Alcina got out as quietly as she could to prepare for the day. Anya already waiting for her with a bath ready and her dress laid out, Alcina relaxed down into her tub with a cigarette.

Once she had finished in the tub, three maidens were waiting to help her into her dress.

"Away with you," she dismissed them with a wave of her hand once they had finished, rising up to her feet and walking in the direction of the dining hall. Another busy day was ahead of her. The invitations had all been sent out and in four days' the castle would be abuzz with the celebration. Alcina already deciding what the food would consist of along with where the orchestra would be set up, all that was left was for Rednic to return with the things she needed.

"You clumsy wench!"

Alcina heard Cassandra shout from inside the dining hall followed next by a cry of pain. When she entered inside, Alcina observed Cassandra slashing a maiden in the face over and over with a knife. The girl shielding her face and receiving cuts to her arms and hands.

Bela; meanwhile, just sat in silence and was reading through an old newspaper clipping she must have found in the library.

"Good morning, Mother," Bela said.

"Good morning. Cassandra, may I inquire what this creature has done to incur your wrath?"

"The tea was stone cold! I hate the taste of blood tea cold, and as I was choking on the fluid, I noticed a grin. I swear she was hoping it would kill me."

"Bela, is this true?"

"The tea was cool. Unacceptable in my opinion."

Alcina clicked her tongue, staring down at the girl with a smile.

"I am afraid your services in the castle are now terminated. Cassandra take her down to the cellar immediately."

"With pleasure," she cackled, dragging the crying woman back into the kitchen. Her screams audible until she was abruptly cut off. Cassandra silencing her with a swift punch to the face.

Alcina taking her place at the head of the table, snapped her fingers at another maid shaking near the courtyard door.

"Fetch us a kettle of our blood tea, and you best be damned sure it is piping hot."

"Y-yes, my lady."

The woman scurried off into the kitchen, Alcina watching her go and then turning her sights on Bela, who was still concentrated on the newspaper.

"What are you reading so intently over there?"

"It is old history about a murderer named 'Jack the Ripper'. He was notorious for murdering many woman in a placed called, London."

"Yes she did."

"'She'? The paper claims it was a man."

"Do not believe everything you hear or read…"

Bela quirking a brow at her mother's comment, started to fold the paper up when Daniela came wandering into the room, rubbing at her eyes and yawning. She was still wearing her nightwear and her hair was a tangled mess. Bela gawked at her. How could she just wander in looking like that? Bela turned her eyes to their mother to see her reaction. There was no fathomable way she would tolerate this inappropriate appearance.

"Daniela, you do not look well," Alcina said.

"I am just tired."

"I can see that. So tired you appear to have forgotten half of yourself."

"Yes," Daniela said tiredly, clearly not understanding the meaning behind their mother's words.

Bela bit down on her bottom lip, wanting to help her sister out, but did not want to interfere with her mother's conversation.

"I insist you go back to bed. I will have something brought up to you."

"Okay."

Back out she dragged her feet, releasing a loud yawn just before the doors closed behind her.

"That child," Alcina shook her head, as the maids started to trickle in with the morning meal.

"Is she all right?"

"Oh yes. She did not sleep well is all."

"… Hurry up with that tea!" Crash! "You idiot! Look at what you did. Mother! Mother this idiot just dropped a plate! May I take her down to the cellar, too?" Cassandra came bursting into the room with the poor maiden whose hand was bleeding. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"No! No I did not! It was not my intention to break it. It was an accident."

"So you admit you did indeed break the plate," Alcina said.

The maiden nodded, bowing her head to her.

"Mother?" Cassandra said, her fingers wrapped tightly around the back of the maiden's dress.

"One cannot find any useful help these days' can we?"

"Does that mean she will be joining her friend below?" Cassandra could barely contain herself.

Alcina waved her hand.

"Down to the cellar with you!" Cassandra laughed gleefully, dragging her back out. "Another one bites the dust! You better hurry up with that damn tea! I want my cup full before I get back upstairs."

Bela growled softly, irritated by Cassandra's lack of control, though at least the fool asked Mother permission before she acted this time. Bela turned her attention to her mother and stopped her internal bickering. Once again she observed that faraway look in her eyes. She had gone elsewhere. How Bela hated the look. Afraid her mother would forever be lost in this place she went into.

"Mother."

"I know what you are going to say," Alcina said.

Bela was caught off guard by her words.

Alcina looked at her with a smile.

"I am too soft with her."

Bela opened her mouth to tell her mother that was not in fact what she was going to say, when the doors opened and in came the maiden with the kettle of tea. She was just about to pour the brew into Alcina's cup, when the matriarch snatched the girl's thin wrist and took the kettle out of her hands.

"Allow me," she hummed, not releasing the girl as she poured the brew directly on her hand. The girl screamed out in pain as Alcina kept going for another minute before stopping. The girl's hand already red with a blister forming. "Well done. You have prepared the tea perfectly. You may serve us now."