A/N: Thanks everyone for the reviews! I love you all!!
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Morning came along with new concerns. Wolf wasn't sure how the Council was going to accept his case. As a half-wolf, you weren't the kind of a person who'd get a positive reply from the Council. Wolf's only hope was Wendell, and the Royal Pardon.
Wolf looked at his future wife who was sleeping peacefully next to him. He curled up next to her and buried his face on her chest. He needed confidence. If the council didn't accept his case, he was doomed. He would commit suicide rather than marrying his own sister.
Wolf could feel a single tear scroll down his cheek and he quickly wiped it off. A man shouldn't cry. He thought to himself. He could smell his cubs now. Virginia was in her seventh month of pregnancy. And the twins were giving her random kicks all the day. That was the only happy moment in Wolf's life now. His cubs and Virginia.
The meeting with his long lost sister wasn't like he imagined it to be. He never thought that he would find her alive, and so close! Yet, he never thought that he was on the edge of marrying her. Thanks to Wendell, he was going to solve this problem once and for all, and he will marry his one true love, Virginia.
"Morning honey." Virginia said as she opened her eyes.
"Good morning pumpkin." Wolf replied and kissed her softly. "How did you sleep?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Fine, I guess. I felt warm next to you." She smiled.
Wolf smiled back to her. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving."
"I'll bring you breakfast. Stay in bed." He got up and kissed her forehead, then he put on his robes and got out of the room.
Virginia could sense that there was something bothering him. He was so… quiet. She sat up in their bed and adjusted the covers. She put her hand on her grown belly and smiled.
"We're going to see each other in a couple of months!" she said softly. The babies gave her a kick. "Ouch! Hey, that hurts you know!" she said and smiled. "But at least, it's better to be hurt this way rather than any other kind." She put her fingertip on her lips and kissed it, then she put her finger on her belly. "I love you both. And I love your father."
Wolf came back with a tray full of food. "Here, eat it all. I'll change my clothes and go to see Wendell. You won't get mad at me for not joining you for breakfast, won't you?"
"No I won't. Don't worry about me Wolf." She replied. "Are you going to meet the council today?"
"Probably. Wendell has called the members for the meeting early this morning."
"Ok, go now. You don't want to be late." Virginia smiled.
"I love you." Wolf said.
"I love you too." Virginia replied and Wolf leaned closer to her and gave her a kiss.
Wolf went to Wendell's office and saw the rulers of all the kingdoms already gathered there. Of course, Queen Riding Hood III was unaware of this meeting and she was absent.
"Good morning." Wolf said and closed the door after him.
"Good morning Wolf." Wendell said.
Wolf looked at the members of the Council nervously.
"Alright, since all of us are here, let's begin." Wendell said. They went into another room and Wolf followed them.
There was a huge rectangular table in the middle of the room, surrounded by chairs. Wendell sat at the head of the table, as the meeting was taking place in his kingdom. Wolf sat on the other end of the table and he still looked nervous.
"My dear friends and colleagues." Wendell said. "I will not get into the formal introductions and stuff, as this case is… Oh, well!" Wendell shook his head. "I'll just get to the point. As you see, Queen Riding Hood III isn't here."
"And where is she Wendell?" Princess Leaf Fall asked.
"She's in her palace. Don't worry Leaf Fall. The reason she isn't with us now, is that I didn't invite her."
Wendell's face was turning pink. He never thought that he would be speaking to the Council about what his childhood friend has done to his recent best friend.
"Queen Riding Hood III has contacted me a few days ago to tell me that Wolf is the heir of the Throne of the House of Red."
Everyone in the room gasped and Wolf looked at the ground.
"But, that is not the point." Wendell continued. "She informed me that her grandmother, Queen Red Riding Hood has left a letter. She mentioned in the letter that Wolf can become the official heir to the throne only by marrying the girl she has chosen for him." He paused to look at Wolf, then turned back to the Council members. "As you know Wolves mate for life and Wolf has a mate already, although they haven't been married yet. They are planning their wedding to take place in a month. However, Since Queen Riding Hood's sudden announcement about an already chosen bride, we thought that we could talk to the girl and ask her to change her mind. In addition, I'd like to announce that Wolf has never shown any interest in ruling the Second Kingdom. And he confirmed this during these last days. Wolf went to meet the girl, and he recognized her as his long lost sister."
"His what?" Leaf Fall asked. "Do you mean Red has actually planned that marriage between siblings?"
"Queen Red Riding Hood has planned it obviously. Moreover, Red III thinks it's the best way to keep Wolf far away from her thrown. In my opinion, this unacceptable marriage would cause death. I know Wolf would kill himself rather marrying his sister. Tala, his sister, would do the same. I ask you to discuss this matter and come to a conclusion."
"We cannot accept this to happen!" King Cole said.
"What would she do if they refuse to get married?" Cinderella asked.
"She has threatened to force every wolf family out of her kingdom and she might kill them as well." Wendell said.
"I knew she had something like that in her mind." Cinderella said.
"I can't believe her!" Leaf Fall said. "She's been my friend since childhood! I never thought she would be capable to do such thing!"
"No one thought of her like that!" Cinderella said. "She is a nice young woman. However, I believe her family's history with wolves is the only reason to make her do such thing. We have to punish her for that."
"Alright." Wendell said. "What kind of punishment?"
"I say we remove her from the throne." King Cole said.
"I agree with that." The Dwarf King said.
"No!" Wolf, who has been listening silently, suddenly said. "No, please don't do that." Everyone turned to look at him. "I know what she is doing to me is something awful and unacceptable. But I think you can think of something better than removing her from the thrown."
"Wolf has a point." Cinderella said.
"I say we all sign a united royal pardon for wolves in the Second kingdom." The Ice Queen said. "They won't have to travel across their lands carrying a permit. And they will be treated equally as humans."
"Good idea." Cinderella said.
"You are forgetting one thing." King Cole said. "She is the ruler of the Second Kingdom, she still has the power to do whatever she desires with her people. Wolves or not."
"With this new pardon, the Council of the Nine Kingdoms will have her under control." The Ice Queen said. "She won't be able to make unfair decisions."
"I like that idea." Wendell said. "Okay, we're voting. Who is willing to sign a united Royal Pardon of Wolves in the Second Kingdom?"
All the council members raised their hands and Wendell smiled. "Thank you." He said and they lowered their hands. But that didn't seem to brighten Wolf's mood.
"You forgot one thing." Wolf said. "What about my marriage to my sister?"
"Oh yes!" Wendell said.
"I don't think there's a need to vote on this one Wendell." Cinderella said. "I think that all of us are against such marriage, and I'm sure that Queen Riding Hood III will accept the Council's decision in canceling the previously planned marriage…" She turned to Wolf. "She has planned a date too, didn't she?"
"Yes." Wolf said with a nod.
"I see. Alright, so, who's with me in this?" Cinderella said. "Sorry Wendell, but I must go back to my kingdom as soon as I can."
All the members of the council agreed on canceling the planned marriage of Wolf and Tala.
"I'll make sure Queen Red Riding Hood's letter is burned." Wendell said with a smile.
After all the members of the Council left Wolf took a deep breath.
"Congratulations Wolf!" Wendell said and gave Wolf a hug. "I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks Wendie! You saved my bacon!" Wolf said. "Cripes! I've got to tell Virginia!"
"Go to her." Wendell said and watched Wolf storm out of the room.
He followed the direction his nose told him and found Virginia in the palace gardens sitting with Tala.
"Virginia! Virginia we did it!" he called and ran to her.
"What?" Virginia asked.
"They cancelled the wedding! And a royal pardon will be signed for the wolf families in the Second Kingdom!" Wolf said happily.
"Oh Wolf! That's great!!" Virginia said happily and hugged him.
Tala stood next to them and tears filled her eyes.
"Oh Tala, I'm so happy!" Wolf said and hugged her. "Why are you crying?"
"The royal pardon. Our people will be free at last." Tala said.
"Yes." Wolf said and hugged his sister tighter. "And we're going to live happily ever after."
"What's going on here?" Mary asked as she walked by with Tom.
"The Council has cancelled the marriage." Virginia said.
"That's great! Congratulations!" Mary said.
"Congratulations Wolf!" Tom said.
"Thanks." Wolf said happily. "Huff-puff! This makes me feel hungry! I haven't ate anything since morning!"
"Let's go and have a snack." Virginia said.
They all went to the dining room and Virginia ordered the servants to bring some food.
Tony was no where to be seen that day. Wendell had work to do in his office regarding the new pardon for wolves, so he didn't join them. They all talked about the upcoming wedding of Wolf and Virginia.
"By the way, is Lord Rupert still trying to interfere?" Virginia asked.
"I don't think so. He was back a couple of days ago and I had a little chat with him."
"Where was he?" Mary asked.
"Kissingtown." Virginia replied. "Planning our own honeymoon."
"How… thoughtful?" Mary said.
"Yeah, only he'd end up ruining it."
"I thought so." Mary said and they all laughed.
"Ow!" Virginia said.
"They're kicking again?" Wolf asked.
"I hope so." Virginia said.
Wolf's face went pale when he looked at Virginia. He could smell it.
"Wolf… I think it's time… AAAHH!!"
"Time? You have two months ahead! Get a doctor!" Wolf said. "Virginia hang on love. Can you walk?"
"I don't know!" Virginia was crying in pain.
"Let's take her upstairs." Tom said. "Mary get some clean towels and hot water. I guess that's all we can use around here."
Wolf carried Virginia to their room and Tom followed them.
"Wolf, will you please wait outside?" Tom asked.
Wolf whimpered. "Can't I stay?"
"I don't think so. Besides, go and find Tony. He's her father after all." Tom said. He thought that this was the best way to keep Wolf away.
"Alright. I'll search for him. Virginia, I'll be back my love."
"Tom help me! IT HURTS!!! AAAAHHH!!!" Virginia cried.
A maid entered the room carrying towels. "I'm here to help." She said.
"Good, let's get to work." Tom said.
Everyone was gathered in front of the door. Wendell came running to them.
"What happened?" he asked and heard Virginia's screams. "Goodness me! Is it time already?"
"We really don't know why it happened." Mary said. "We were talking and laughing and suddenly… it happened."
Virginia screamed again.
"I think it would be better if we go and wait in another room." Wendell said.
At that moment Wolf and Tony came running.
"Any news?" Wolf asked.
"Nothing yet." Mary replied.
"Let's go to this room." Wendell said pointing to the door across from Wolf and Virginia's room.
"I have to see her." Wolf said. "I'll go inside." He went in and closed the door behind him.
"Alright, everyone else, come in here." Wendell said. They all followed him to the room he mentioned and he closed the door.
Tony was pacing the room hysterically. Mary and Tala sat there smiling to each other at the thought of new babies. Wendell stood near the window and stared outside. They all were concerned about Virginia's sudden labor.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Hours passed, but they all still waited in the same room. Suddenly, the door opened and Tom entered. His shirt had huge spots of blood on it. Everyone stared at him waiting for him to speak.
"Twins. Boy and girl. Both healthy and have a tail. Virginia is fine and sleeping at the moment." He said and smiled.
"YAY!!" Mary jumped around and hugged Tom.
Tony sighed in relief and instantly tears filled his eyes. Wendell and Tala looked at each other and smiled.
"I think it would be better if we leave them alone for a while. Virginia needs to rest, and you know how it is after giving birth. Not to mention giving birth to twins." Tom said.
"We'll visit them later in the evening." Mary said.
"Yeah, if you say so." Tony said.
"Anthony, do you realize that you have just turned into a grandfather?" Wendell teased.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Tony said.
"You're getting old Anthony." Wendell said with a smile and hugged Tony. "Congratulations grandpa!"
"Thanks Wendell." Tony said.
"Okay everyone! We need to celebrate!" Wendell said. "Let's go to my office!"
They all left the room and headed to Wendell's office and started their celebration of the birth of the twin cubs.
