Her hands were shaking.

Shaggy knew even though she tried hiding it, keeping her focus on chase and the increasingly long note that was being passed between them in conversation.

He knew why she was nervous.

Clawdeen was coming and could arrive at any moment.

With every moment that passed, she grew more and more nervous.

What could he do? What could he say?

"Like, you got nothing to worry about, Christina", Shaggy said reassuringly. "Clawdeen isn't just the Alpha, and she isn't just my cousin. She's, like, also the one who took it upon herself to look for a way to make peace. I, like, know for a fact that she's grateful to you and your cousin for making it possible to end the war peacefully."

"Thanks, Shaggy", the hybrid said. "I needed to hear that."

"Plus, did I tell you that her brother and your cousin are, like, coming with her?"

"Really?!", she squealed happily while Chase clapped.

"I can't wait to meet your cousin!", Sugie yipped happily.

"Looks like you won't have to," Shaggy observed, watching the carriage pull in front of the manor.

Now, I can talk with her, Shaggy silently added.

When the doors opened the first thing Shaggy saw was a pink blur.

"LAURA!"

Christina and Chase were pulled to the ground by the pink vampire, who couldn't help the tears that rolled down her face.

Shaggy and Sugie watched with smiles, not wishing to disturb the touching scene before them. the same could be said of Clawd and Clawdeen who watched from the doorway with the same smiles. After the last of the joyful tears and been cried and their faces dried the trio stood up with apologetic smiles.

"I'm sorry," Draculaura said softly, "I was just excited to see them both,"

"It's alright," Shaggy smiled, "We understand,"

Clawd and Clawdeen quietly joined the group.

Christina's stomach was in knots once more. Thankfully, Draculaura was more than capable and happy to introduce herself to Shaggy and Sugie while she tried to still her shaking hands. It wasn't until Shaggy grabbed them, however, did they stop. After a few fleeting moments, he let go and finally made the introductions.

"Christina, these are our cousins, Clawd and Clawdeen," he smiled, "Clawd, Clawdeen, this is Christina and that's her brother Chase,"

"Hello," Christina whispered.

Chase waved meekly before ducking behind his sister.

Christina didn't have time to apologize for Chase because Clawdeen swept her into a grateful hug which she awkwardly returned.

"Thank you," Clawdeen said, happily.

"You're welcome," Christina said quietly.

Luckily for Christina, the hug didn't last much longer as Clawdeen stepped back to hug both Shaggy and Sugie hello. Clawdeen had barely hugged Shaggy when he told her as quietly and urgently as he could:

"We need to talk, like, now,"

After making a feeble excuse Shaggy pulled her away. Leaving Clawd to twiddle his thumbs watching as Christina and Draculaura spoke rapid-fire, catching up with each other.

…...

"What's the matter, Shaggy?" Clawdeen asked, watching him lock the doors.

"Something happened,"

"With Christina? Whatever it is I'm sure we can-"

"I imprinted!" Shaggy threw himself into the nearest chair.

"You too?"

"What do you like, mean?"

"Clawd imprinted on Draculaura," Clawdeen smirked, "Now you're going to tell me Sugie imprinted on Chase," she added jokingly.

"Well, um-"

"No!" Clawdeen gasped, "Really?"

"Yes," Shaggy exclaimed, "What do I do?"

"There's nothing you can do. Just let it grow-"

"But she like, doesn't know and is like, already quiet and fragile and I don't want to mess up!"

"You have to tell her Shaggy!" Clawdeen insisted, "It's her right, her life!"

"But she could entirely freeze up! I'm like, already having a difficult time getting her to open up,"

"Hm, are you really trying?"

"YES!" Shaggy snapped, irritated," Sorry," he amended quickly.

"It's okay,"

"What do I do?"

"Take it slowly and more importantly, tell the truth,"

"Like, I guess that means Clawd told Draculaura?"

Clawdeen looked uneasy, "Not yet, fraidy wolf,"

"Like, why do I have to go first then?"

"This isn't a game, Shaggy. There is no first or second but you both need to tell the girls the truth,"

"But how? And when?"

"Soon, very soon,"

"Well like, what about YOU, miss All-Seeing, All-Knowing Alpha?", Shaggy grinned. "Have YOU imprinted?"

"Oh no! You're not turnin' this on ME!", she tut-tutted, not fooled one little bit by his act. "You know as well as anybody that I haven't found my mate yet. So, I'm thinkin' if you take her out on a picnic by the river, in that sweet spot we found as pups. Yeah, I think that would be the perfect setting for you to confess."

…...

"It's so quiet here," Draculaura observed, settling onto Christina's bed.

"I know," Christina agreed, "I do miss the mountains though,"

"So do I," Draculaura nodded in agreement, "Clawd lives in the capital city, there's never a quiet moment there,"

Christina cringed, "Too many monsters for me,"

"You always did like the silence," Draculaura laughed, "I see Chase made some friends, where did the wolf pup come from?"

"Jade brought him,"

"Jade's here? I haven't seen her,"

Draculaura looked around trying to find where the wolf could be hiding.

"That's because she spends her time playing with Scooby, Shaggy's dog,"

"Playing?" Draculaura grinned.

"Flirting,"

Draculaura laughed again which made Christina laugh too. It was then she realized she hadn't laughed in a while and the thought cut her merriment short.

"Oh, I know that look, don't get down in the dumps on me, Christina,"

"Sorry, Laura, really, I just-"

"Miss everyone, I know,"

The door opened, drawing their attention and forcing Christina to choke down her tears. There stood Chase, dripping wet.

"It started raining," Sugie explained from behind him, "We're soaked,"

"I can see that," Christina found a smile, "You two should get cleaned up,"

"Before you catch a cold," added Draculaura.

Chase cringed.

It was bath time.

…...

The rain continued well into the night when Christina managed to drift off despite the crashing thunder and flashes of lightning. Maybe if she had known what was coming she would have stayed awake.

Because just outside the property, on the other side of the hidden river stood Drew and Regina. The rain stayed away, leaving them perfectly dry as they readied the crystal ball for a spell that would bring Christina right to them with the help of a few spider-bats of course.

"Look, Son, there's your princess, fast asleep," Regina smirked.

"And ours for the taking," added Drew as he released the spider-bats from their cage, "Sweet dreams, Princess,"

…...

"Butterfly,"

Christina sat up confusedly. Her bed was in the middle of a wildflower field but she was less concerned with the change of surroundings and more interested in finding her mother, who from the sound of her voice was playing hide and seek with her again. She stood, letting her blanket fall to reveal a dress that wasn't her nightgown.

It was white with blue ribbon and ruffles around the hem but Christina couldn't care less.

"Come and find us, Butterfly,"

She was happy to oblige.

…...

Chase was startled awake by though he couldn't understand why. Thunder had never bothered him before. At the sound of a door closing behind him, however, he understood. Christina was sleepwalking. A terrible knot twisted its way into his stomach. Something was very, very wrong. Hurriedly, he got to his feet. He had to find Shaggy quickly.

…...

she could see her mother just through the trees. Teetering a bit, Christina climbed a log to see better. There was her mother arm in arm with her father. The two smiled at her before continuing their walk.

…...

back in reality, Christina was following the bats down the stairs to the front door. They pulled it open for her, leading her out into the storm.

…..

Okay, maybe he should have gotten Sugie instead. He didn't know where Shaggy's room was but there was no time to change direction now. The feeling of dread was only getting worse and Christina needed help. So, Chase beat on every door he found, hoping someone would hear him.

"Chase?" Shaggy yawned, opening the door to his right, "What's wrong?"

Chase seized his arm and began to pull but something else caught Shaggy's attention.

Through the window, he could see Christina.

And she was headed for the river.

…...

She almost had them. she was almost there. All she had to do was find them again. With careless, girlish glee she picked up her skirts and ran for her parents who had turned the game of hide and seek into cat and mouse.

…...

"CHRISTINA!" Shaggy yelled racing through the halls and down the stairs.

He ran so fast in fact that he forgot to open the front door and ran right into it.

"Shaggy," Clawdeen yawned from the top of the stairs, "What's going on?"

Shaggy didn't respond, instead, he scrambled to his feet and raced outside.

Closer and closer Christina came to the river. She was running now and he ran after her. This had to be the fastest he had ever run but it still wasn't fast enough.

Christina fell into the river.

…...

"What?" Drew cried, "Where did she go?"

Christina with her goofy smile and oblivious sleep had dropped out of sight.

"No matter," Regina growled, seizing Drew by his collar, "The mutt's too close for my liking,"

She transported them and any evidence they were there away before he could protest.

…...

because her sleep had been corrupted by magic, Christina didn't wake and was pulled underwater, a smile still on her face.

…...

"CHRISTINA!"

Without a thought for his own safety Shaggy jumped into the river, fighting with the current as he struggled to see where Christina was. Deeper and deeper he swam until he found her, her nightdress tangled around her legs, still sleeping. He grabbed her, pressing her close to his chest before propelling them above water.

He fought to get back to land. Luckily, Clawdeen and Clawd had followed him out and hauled him ashore.

Only then did the spell wear off and Christina jolted awake, scrambling away from the water like it would try to reclaim her.

"Where-where did they go?" she wailed.

"Let's go inside," Shaggy urged but Christina wasn't listening.

"My-my parents were here and we were play-playing a game,"

"They were never here Christina," Clawd said.

Christina's wails drowned out the thunder and Clawdeen slapped her brother. Shaggy ignored them both and picked up Christina before carrying her back to the manor.

They were never here.

…...

Now, that's just sad.

I'm a horrible person, I know.

A big thank you goes to my friend, DRAGONDAVE45 for helping me with this chapter.

Please, review.