"Daniel Woodsworth, I've been looking for you", Diana said. Studying his face, the resemblance is uncanny. From the hair that's as black as the night, to the deep blue eyes, bridge of the nose and complexion of the skin, this man is undeniably the lost puzzle in Diana's life.
The man, who was wearing a short sleeved denim wash shirt and black trousers, stood by the entrance of the cave with a pile of firewood over his shoulders and some herbs on his other hand. He squinted his eyes at Diana in a scornfully derisive way. Then, he walked past the two women as he groaned irritably. "Get out. I don't consult patients during the day", he said as he head inside the cave.
"Mr. Woodsworth! Wait", Kate exclaimed. "We came all the way here just to find you.", she said as they hurriedly followed the man who doesn't seem to mind them.
Following the man's footsteps, Diana and Kate held each other's hand as they go deep into the cave. The narrowing path became darker until they gradually lose light. The man didn't stopped and wasn't bothered by the darkness at all even if the cave is already pitch black. "Wolf thing", Diana whispered to Kate knowing his father is a wolf who can see clearly in the dark.
"You won't be able to see anything from here. Go back to where you came from", he ordered.
Remembering the marbles that Diana kept, she took them out and smiled with how it glows. It was truly magical how the tiny ball of crystals were able immensely light up the cave for Diana and Kate.
"So you knew the lythari elves? Lucky", he said as he scoff. The man stopped at a wooden door by the end of the cave. He opened the door as the creaks echo in the dark. Diana and Kate followed him inside. There was single bed, a small table and a chair, a kitchen area with a firepit under a cauldron. There's also a large bookshelf full of books, a long table with old papers, some open books, and a quill and ink. Minimal and simple, everything that is essential for the survival of a single person is there.
The ladies watched the man move around. First, he put down the firewood by the firepit, and placed the herbs on the table. He then lighted two oil lamps and set a couple of chairs for his stubborn visitors. "Sit down. And keep those marbles, before it runs out of power.", the man said.
"We're not here for a consult", Diana said as she look around the cave home pocketing the marbles, while Kate sat in one of the chairs.
"I know", the man replied as he exhaled sharply after seeing how Diana kept the marbles. "That's not how to properly keep them", he took a piece of dark cloth from his study table and gave it out to Diana. "Cover it with these", he said as Diana took the marbles out from her pocket and placed them on the cloth over his palm. He looked at each of the marble and smiled in astonishment. "These are no ordinary marbles.. The blue one is to protect you, like a shield. The red one boosts your attacks.", he explained then Kate placed another marble that she kept. "This yellow one is for health, it replenishes your strength. The lythari elves must have favored you so much that they have given you such great gifts", he wrapped the marbles and gave it to Diana.
"Health? Diana can deal with that. She's a doctor", Kate said.
The man cleared his throat as he turn his back to his guests. "You are?", the man smiled a little and went back to making a serious face. "Hmmm… what are you doing here? Doctors are not really needed in this place.", he asked as he prepare cups of tea for his guests.
"Do you recognize me?", Diana wondered as she fidget with the marbles wrapped with the cloth.
"Are you even Dr. Daniel Woodsworth?", Kate doubted. "I don't think we have the right guy", Kate whispered to Diana with a frown.
The man placed the cups of tea on the table and walked towards Diana standing tall infront of her, then he bended forward to look straight to her face. "Do you think I won't recognize my own daughter?", he said and smiled as he stood straight back up. "Ahh.. Your mother looks just like you", he placed his hands on his waist.
Diana folded her lips in a fine line. She looked at her father and smiled as her heart found the missing piece she never thought she'd ever find. "I thought you were dead", her lips trembled as she blink her tears away.
"I'll step outside for a while", Kate said as she give privacy to Diana and Daniel. Diana just nodded and smiled. She mouthed 'Be careful' to her best friend as she step out.
As soon as Kate went out, Daniel blurted out, "Is that what she told you? She didn't tell you everything?".
"You knew where was I?", Diana knitted her brows at her father who knew where she was all along and yet, he didn't bothered to get her from Tamara. "And you didn't take me from her?", she asked.
Daniel took a long deep sigh and sat down on a chair. "It was a part of the deal.. But I'm glad you lived a comfortable life with Tamara. She kept her word", he said.
Diana then had her heavy tears start pouring. "I never wanted to have a comfortable life. I would rather stay with you, in a small house or even in the dark hole.. not with someon who deceived and used me for he personal gains.", she said.
He smiled. "Me too..", Daniel briefly replied.
Diana swallowed a lump in her throat and wiped her tears. She sat in front of Daniel and asked, "What happened to our family? Why are you here in this place? Why am I with Tamara?"
Daniel rested his back on the chair and sighed. "I was so afraid that this time would come.. that you would come to me and asked the very same question. I never thought I would still live this lifetime with my daughter confronting me of the past and relive my mistakes", he said.
"I was the next in line Alpha of the Moon River Clan. I never wanted to lead a clan. In fact, I wanted to live a normal life, as a physician. My heart has always been with my patients, and even though I was not really good at it, I love what I'm doing. My family were totally against it and they insisted that I should consider other interests in life. One day, my Alpha blood awakened. For some, it was like a calling, a choice that I should choose for obvious reasons. And that, I should let go of my dream to become a physician. With so much pressure and discouragements, I laid low from being a doctor and led the clan until I imprinted on your mother", he narrated.
"In a sudden, I got tired of the clan's missions from hunting nagualli, killing werewolves, to council meetings and all. What I truly wanted was to work full time as a physician.. Then one night, when you and I were strolling, we were surprisingly attacked by a large beast. While we were escaping, you were scratched by a lycan.", he sighed sharply as he continued. "I couldn't cure you. My desperation led me to my most regrettable decision. I sought after a nagua. When I met Tamara, I have only one thing in mind - a wish to become the best physician I can be so I can cure my only daughter", he said.
"What did she wanted in return?", Diana asked.