-1One week later, Virginia and Wolf were both a little frantic about the wedding. She had picked out a dress already and made sure that Wolf had gotten a tux. They had made arrangements with Mr. Murray that they would be gone for a few weeks or more. Now they were headed to Central Park.
"How do you know the mirror will be open?" Virginia asked.
"Because I asked Wendell to open the mirror at a certain time once every week in case we wanted or needed to come back." Wolf reminded her easily.
"Oh." Virginia said, feeling a little dumb.
She followed Wolf closely, the bag with her wedding dress held protectively close. A sudden thought occurred to her.
"I'm not going to have any bridesmaids!" Virginia exclaimed.
"What?" Wolf asked.
"I'm not even going to have a Maid of Honor." she said.
Wolf hurried over seeing how distraught she looked.
"Don't be silly. Of course you'll have bridesmaids." he said.
"Name one girl on all the nine kingdoms who can be my bridesmaid." she challenged.
Wolf opened his mouth to reply when he realized he didn't have an answer. He closed his mouth and thought.
"See!" Virginia cried, pushing past him.
"Now what a minute. How about….that nice lady at the Kissing Town casino?" he said uncertainly.
"I never met her! That was you! What exactly were you and the lady at the casino…." Virginia began, her eyes blazing.
"Hey! I didn't do anything! She was the lady at the Jackrabbit Jackpot wheel. I just talked to her!" Wolf said, holding up his hands and in the process, dropping the bags he was carrying. He quickly stooped and picked them up again, "You're in quite a mood today."
"I am not!" Virginia said angrily, then realized how much that was not helping her case, "Okay, maybe I am. I can't help it. I'm just so nervous."
"It's okay, sweetheart. I don't blame you. Just relax. Everything will be perfect." Wolf promised.
Virginia sighed.
"Okay. You're right. I'm not going to worry about this. Who cares about the bridesmaids? I mean, what do they do anyway? Hold the flowers. I can do that." Virginia said, talking more to herself than Wolf.
Wolf led her farther into the Park until they reached the spot where the mirror opened. Wolf set down his bags and waited.
"You sure you have the right time?" Virginia asked.
"Positive. Just wait." Wolf said, staring at the spot.
A minute later, the hazy picture of the room in the palace appeared. The mirror had been turned on. Wolf took up his bags and shifted them so he could take Virginia's hand. Together they stepped into the mirror.
And emerged on the other side in the palace. The servant that had turned it on jumped when he saw them, then bowed.
"I will inform King Wendell of your arrival." he said and left.
Wolf nodded. He sniffed deeply. He loved Virginia's world, the 10th Kingdom, but he had missed being in a place where he could show her around. He was glad to be back. He looked over at Virginia and saw she was too. Virginia had needed the stability and familiarity of her home, but she too loved the kingdoms.
It wasn't long before Wendell and Tony arrived. Tony gave Virginia a giant hug, then gave Wolf one, too. He was followed by Wendell.
"It's so good to see you again, Virginia." Tony said, smiling, "How's everything in New York?"
"Better than you would believe. Mr. Murray gave us the master suite! He's still under that little spell of yours." Virginia replied.
"Good thing me and my behind are safely planted here then. Oh, and Wolf. I sure hope you don't plan on pulling any more surprises like that last one on me. Grandpa! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Tony said.
"Actually…" Wolf began with a sheepish grin.
"We came back because we're going to get married here." Virginia finished for him.
"Ah yes. Everything is in order, Wolf. Just like you asked." Wendell said.
"You knew?" Tony asked, incredulous.
"Of course. Wolf asked me to be his best man. I was more than happy to oblige." Wendell said.
"Why am I always last to know?" Tony demanded angrily.
"Oh, shut up, dad. Wendell knew before I did!" Virginia said, "Besides. You have to give me away."
"And when exactly are you planning on being married?" Tony asked finally.
"Actually, in three days." Wolf said.
Tony's jaw dropped and he gaped at his daughter and her fiancée's behavior. Wolf and Virginia ignored him and began walking past. Wolf slapped him on the back with a mischievous grin.
"Thanks, dad." he said.
Wolf paced on the balcony. It was late. He should sleep. He had a tremendous day tomorrow. He was going to marry the girl of his dreams! But he couldn't help it. The moon was too close to full. He hadn't realized that the day he had picked for his marriage was this close to the full moon. What an idiot he was! The first three days of his honeymoon, there would be a full moon. Virginia wouldn't be too happy. And more than anything he wanted it to all be perfect for her.
Wolf's tail was aching inside his pant leg. He looked back at Virginia's sleeping form inside their chambers, then pulled it out. That distraction gone, he began pacing again.
He wished there was some way around the whole full moon thing.
Wolf froze. Maybe there was. Magic could do anything, couldn't it? There had to be a way to stop all the craziness brought on by the full moon. But how could he possibly track down a solution before tomorrow afternoon? He didn't even know where to start.
But he had to try. For Virginia.
Wolf slinked back into the main chamber and past Virginia. He slipped out the door and into the hallway. He was out the door and into the night before even the guards noticed.
Virginia woke when the sun reached through the open curtains to her. The rays of warmth tickled her face and she stretched. Then started when she didn't feel Wolf next to her. She immediately sat up and looked around, thinking that maybe he was already awake. But Wolf wasn't anywhere in the chamber.
Virginia got up and quickly dressed. She searched the room on more time, but still no sign of Wolf. She slipped out of the room. Maybe he had already gone down to breakfast. That's what she told herself. But something inside her knew that he wasn't in the castle.
Virginia was so busy with her own troubles that she ran right into her father. He steadied her and looked at her with amusement.
"Pre-wedding jitters?" he asked.
Virginia shook her head.
"Wolf's gone." she said.
"What?" Tony asked, his smiled turning to a frown, "Are you sure?"
Virginia nodded.
"Where did he go?" Tony asked.
"I don't know." she said, shaking her head.
Virginia looked close to tears. Tony gave her a hug.
"Don't worry. He'll be back. If I know that Wolf, he's too in love with you to miss this. Probably forgot the flowers or something." he said, trying to reassure her.
Virginia nodded and sniffed, wiping her eyes. She didn't really buy it, but she pretended to.
"Yeah." she agreed, "I hope so."
Wolf didn't know exactly what he was looking for. He just followed his nose and his instincts and tried to hurry as much as he could. The sun was already up, he didn't have much time.
Wolf paused, panting. He knew that he had covered a lot of ground. But he still hadn't found what he needed. But he was close. He knew he was close.
Wolf sniffed the air, searching for that strange scent. That smell of magic.
He started running again. He didn't have much time left.
Virginia tried not to act strange. But she heard whispers behind her back and she knew what they were saying. They were calling her a fool for ever loving a hybrid. Saying he was finally showing his true colors. That he had run out on her.
But she ignored them. She knew in her heart that it wasn't true. Wolf loved her. She knew it. But she didn't know where he was or what was so important that he had to leave now of all times and that scared her.
Wendell came up behind her and placed a hand on her arm. He smiled reassuringly at her. Virginia nodded appreciatively. But Wolf only had a few hours left. And if he didn't show up for their wedding….she didn't know how she would be able to take that.
Wolf slowed. He had found the source of the smell that he had been following for hours. It had led him to a cottage in the middle of the woods. But something about the cottage gave Wolf a bad feeling. He ignored it and stepped up to knock on the door.
Before he could knock, the door opened on its own. Wolf jumped backward in surprise and slowly walked in, on his guard immediately. He looked around, his eyes quickly adjusting to the darkness.
Inside the cottage was an old woman. She huddled over something on a table and didn't even look up when Wolf entered.
"What do you have that could be worth such a spell?" she asked, still not looking at him.
Wolf jumped again.
"I…What do you want?" Wolf asked, not knowing what he could offer.
"You are a wolf. What is worth this spell? Or do you realize what it will mean?" she asked.
"What do you mean do I realize what it will mean? I want to stop being affected by the full moon. So my scrumptious Virginia won't have to worry about herself or me three days every month." Wolf said.
The woman said nothing, but finally looked up at Wolf. Her gaze sent a shiver up and down his spine.
"Bring me a golden rose from the bushes of Gretel. That is the fee for this spell." the old woman said.
"But the bushes of Gretel are…" Wolf began.
"That is the fee." the woman interrupted, "Choose now."
Wolf growled low in his throat at being forced to choose without being given a chance to think, but he agreed.
"Alright. A golden rose. But I need the spell now. And quickly." he said.
"Sit." the old woman said, motioning to a chair, "And close your eyes."
Wolf did as she said, not liking it one bit. He had never really trusted magic. And he didn't like not being able to see what was going on. But this spell meant a lot to him.
The old woman stopped in front of Wolf, a book open in one hand and a handful of dust in her other hand. She spoke words that made no sense to Wolf, then threw the dust on him. Wolf sneezed and his eyes flew open. Then he fell, unconscious to the floor.
"Now, my wolf. You will listen and heed my command. You will bring me the rose if you have to crawl out of your grave to do it. You are mine now, half-breed. And you will do my bidding. Now go." she said with a wave of her hand.
Wolf blinked and rose. He didn't know how he had gotten on the floor or why he was here in the first place. He knew that he had to get back to the castle, though. He had a wedding to be at! He looked up at the old woman in confusion.
"You had better hurry, Wolf. Your Virginia awaits. You are free of the full moon now." she said.
Now Wolf was even more confused. But her words were astounding. Free from the full moon? Did she mean…? Virginia! He did have to hurry. From the looks of it, he only had an hour or two to get back and there was no way he was going to be late for his own wedding!
Wolf jumped to his feet and bounded out the door, hurrying through the forest as fast as he could go.
The old woman watched him go. He would deliver the rose and more. But she would be patient. She had been patient this long. A little longer made no difference.
Virginia stood in her wedding dress in the back of the castle chapel. Everything was perfect, just like Wolf had promised. Except that Wolf wasn't there. Virginia felt like crying until she couldn't cry anymore.
Suddenly, a howl broke through the air. And Virginia knew it was Wolf. Her heart soared and her temper blazed at the same time. Wolf had a lot of explaining to do!
A few minutes later Wolf stumbled into the chapel, his tux thrown on, his shirt was only half-tucked, and his hair was in a disarray.
"Sorry." he said to everyone, "Sorry." he repeated to Virginia.
"Where have you been?" she demanded.
"Tell you later. I promise it was very important. I'm just not sure exactly why." he said.
"What?" she asked.
"We can start now!" Wolf called, ignoring Virginia's question.
"You had better explain all this." Virginia whispered to him before he left to take his place at the altar.
Tony linked arms with Virginia and whispered to her.
"See. Everything's fine. Just out of curiosity, where was the groom?" he asked.
"That's what I'd like to know." Virginia said.
The music began and all Virginia's questions left her mind. She was drawn into the moment and all she could think about was all her wonderful moments with Wolf and all the wonderful ones she knew would come. She looked up at the head of the aisle at Wolf. He had an anxious, but completely loving look on his face. She wondered if his thoughts were the same as hers.
Wolf hadn't noticed before just how beautiful Virginia looked. He couldn't believe he was going to marry such a dreamy, wonderful girl. He thought of his times with Virginia and how wonderful it had been. The time at Snow White's glass coffin. The time when Virginia had said she loved him. The time in the woods when they had played hide and go seek. Oh, how he loved her. He thought of the little cub growing inside her and how he was going to be a father.
Virginia reached his side and Wolf smiled at her. She smiled back and she seemed to have forgotten her anger from earlier. He took her hand and glanced at the priest as he began to speak.
"We are gathered here today…" the priest began.
Virginia tuned him out, too busy staring at Wolf. He stared back at her and smiled again. He squeezed her hand to draw her attention back to the priest.
"Do you, Wolf, take Virginia to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold until death do you part?" the priest asked.
"Oh, I do. I do. I do." Wolf agreed emphatically.
"And do you Virginia, take Wolf to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold until death do you part?" the priest asked.
"I do." Virginia agreed, smiling at Wolf.
"Then, place a ring upon each other's fingers and say, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'" the priest instructed.
Wolf lifted Virginia's hand and she just realized he had slipped off the singing ring. He placed it back on her finger.
"With this ring, I thee wed." he repeated.
Virginia was glad he hadn't gotten another ring. The singing ring would be offended and she was perfectly happy with it. But now it was her turn.
"With this ring, I thee wed." she repeated and put a ring on Wolf's finger.
"I know pronounce you…" the priest paused uncertainly, then shrugged, "man and wife."
Wolf howled with joy then took Virginia in his arms and kissed her. He released her to wave at the people in the crowd. Virginia laughed and waved, too.
Wendell smiled. He didn't know how long he had before he had to tell them. He didn't know how he would be able to interrupt their honeymoon even for something as important as this. He hated this. But if he didn't get Virginia and Wolf's help, the 4th Kingdom could and probably would be destroyed.
Virginia let her head rest on Wolf's shoulder as they danced slowly. She whispered quietly to him.
"You'd better have a damn good reason for being late to your own wedding." she said.
Wolf jumped, then calmed.
"I do. I do. I've said that a lot today. Anyway, the reason I was late is because I was off arranging a little surprise for our honeymoon. I think you'll like it. I'm sorry for not telling you." Wolf whispered back.
"Okay." Virginia said, forgiving him quickly.
She didn't want to be mad at Wolf on their wedding day. With that thought, she smiled softly and rubbed her cheek against Wolf's shoulder.
"I love you, Wolf." she said.
"I love you, too, dear, sweet, succulent Virginia." Wolf replied.
Virginia was spent. It was getting late, she knew. It was the first day of their honeymoon and they had spent it mostly beneath the satin sheets of the bed in their room.
She must have dozed off a little because when she looked, Wolf was up and pacing in their room. She sat up and smiled at him.
"You're not tired?" she asked.
He looked at her and she could tell he was agitated about something.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
She looked out the window to see how late it was. And saw the moon. It was full.
"Is that it? I didn't realize it was a full moon. Wolf, are you okay?" Virginia asked.
"Yes. I'm fine. That's what's bugging me. It feels so weird not feeling weird on the full moon." Wolf said.
"What? What do you mean?" Virginia asked, confused.
Wolf ignored her question and bounded over to her. He took her hand and pulled her, trying to get her up.
"Come on. Let's go look at the moon." he said.
"Wolf, I don't think you should be going outside at all right now." Virginia began.
"No, you don't understand. This is the surprise. I'm free of the moon. I found this old woman who did a spell for me that makes me unaffected by it." Wolf told her.
"You did what?" Virginia cried.
"Huff-puff, you don't listen to well, Virginia. I went to…" Wolf began again.
"I heard you. I just don't believe you. I thought you said not to trust magic."
"I…did. But this is different." Wolf insisted.
"How? What did you give the old woman to get her to do the spell?"
Wolf growled a little, then admitted, "I didn't exactly give her anything yet. I have to get her a golden rose from one of Gretel's golden rose bushes. But I can do it! I think."
Virginia didn't like the sound of this.
"You'd better tell me about these golden roses." she said.
Wolf sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Gretel, you know Hansel's sister, became a queen after they defeated that witch. Well, actually a princess, but later she became a queen. Her brother was made a duke, but he only got some small lands with hardly any people on him and he was jealous. One day, Gretel was given some golden seeds, the ones that the bushes grew from, by a prince who wanted to marry her. Gretel agreed and they got married. But for her brother, Hansel, that was the final straw. Hansel hired a witch to conjure up a curse upon Gretel's bushes. The flowers became virtually unreachable. The curse drew all kinds of dark spirits to the flowers. The flowers, being magic, became their food and they built all kinds of defenses to keep others away from them. One day, Gretel came, needing a flower because these flowers were said to have great powers that could make you immortal and cure any disease. The prince, now king had become very sick and she needed a petal from one of the flowers to cure him or he would die. The dark spirits guarding the flowers were lured away and she snuck in while they were gone. But the spirits have poisoned the flowers so that one prick from their thorns would kill you. Gretel pricked her hand and was killed. When Hansel heard this he was so overwhelmed with what he had done, he killed himself. It was a great tragedy for that entire kingdom." Wolf finished.
"And you're going to get one of those flowers. Uh uh. No way am I going to let you." Virginia said.
"But Virginia, I have to. I gave my word and a wolf's word is everything. Except when it comes to Evil Queen's, then we can make exceptions, but most of the time…." Wolf began rambling.
"Wolf, no." Virginia interrupted.
"Virginia, I don't have a choice. I have to. Don't worry. I'll be fine." Wolf assured her, "Come on, now. Let's go look at the moon."
Virginia let herself be dragged out to watch the moon, but she still didn't like any bit of this. There was just something totally not right about it and she knew that they would find out what soon enough.
Three days later, the first night after the full moon, Wolf was again restless. And this time he didn't know why. Something just kept telling him he had to leave. That he had to begin, but what he wasn't sure. He finally couldn't take it anymore. He left Virginia a note and started running off through the village. He didn't even use his nose to tell him where to go. Something just kept drawing him on.
When Virginia awoke, she rolled over and reached out for Wolf. When he wasn't there, her eyes snapped open.
"Not again. Wolf, I'm going to kill you." Virginia muttered angrily.
She spotted the note lying on Wolf's pillow and snatched it up. It read:
Virginia, don't worry about me. I had to leave. I'll be back as soon as I can. Do not try to follow.
Wolf.
"If you don't get yourself killed first." Virginia gulped.
Wolf stopped, panting. He had come a long ways he knew. He was in the 5th Kingdom, which he had rarely been in before. He wasn't too sure where he was. And he knew that if he continued to wander around lost, he would just get into trouble, possibly of the deadly kind. He needed help.
Wolf sat down on the ground and leaned back against a tree while he thought. He needed a guide he could trust.
But first, he needed food and water and to rest for a little while. Not too long because the sooner he got back to Virginia, the better, but he couldn't keep going forever.
Wolf sniffed until he caught the smell of water. It wasn't too far. He got up and made his way down to a small brook. He bent and got a drink. This done, he ate the last of the cold meat he had brought with him and added to it some fruit from the nearby trees. With some food in his stomach, his mind worked a lot better.
Wolf snapped his fingers. He had it!
Wolf howled into the woods, calling for another wolf. He waited a moment, then howled again. This time he heard a howl in response. Excited that his idea had worked, Wolf howled back, trying to help the other wolf find him. The wolf yipped a few times in response, promising to be there quickly.
Wolf walked in the direction of the wolf's howl, shortening the distance between them.
A little bit later, the wolf appeared from out of the trees. It was a young female wolf, as Wolf had known it was since he had heard her howl. She had reddish hair with hints of other colors in it and dark eyes. She sniffed, testing his scent. She made sounds deep in her throat. She didn't completely trust him, but was giving him the benefit of a doubt.
Wolf made a short whining sound, telling her he needed help. He flashed his eyes briefly in that way he had. The female wolf straightened and extended her hand.
"Hello." she said.
"Hi." he replied, shaking her hand, "Thank you for coming."
She shrugged. She reminded him so much of his sister.
"My name's Wolf." he said.
She smiled a little.
"Yeah, huff, I know. Don't ask me what my mother was thinking." Wolf said, "It suits me, though."
"I'll bet. Well, I can't talk. My name's Cinnamon." she paused, "What's the problem?"
"I'm a little lost. I was wondering if you could help me. I need to find the golden rose bushes of Queen Gretel." he said.
Cinnamon stared at him, open-mouthed.
"You do know about them, right? It's crazy to go after them." she said.
Wolf nodded, "I know. But I have to. I owe it to someone. And a wolf…"
"Always keeps their word. So I've heard." Cinnamon interrupted, "I suppose it's as good a motto as any. But I still think you're crazy. What could be worth going after that rose bush?"
Wolf hesitated, but figured it didn't matter. He liked this Cinnamon. He sensed something about her that made him trust her and he trusted his instincts. A wolf could always trust his instincts. Well, except maybe during the full moon, of course.
"Love." he said shortly.
Cinnamon sensed something very strong coming from Wolf. He was a very complex wolf. Confusing. She shook her head to clear it. She had always depended on one person, herself, and had never been one to trust people easily. But for some reason, she had answered Wolf's call. She still wasn't sure why. She was even more confused about the feeling she got from him. She had always been rather perceptive, not easily fooled or lied to. She sensed an unnatural urgency from Wolf and something else. Something that was not right. She didn't know what it was, but she was sure it had something to do with why he wanted to find Gretel's rose bushes.
Cinnamon was just too mixed-up. She had never been this confused before, except maybe the first time she had felt the full moon. She mentally shrugged and decided to just go along with the strange feelings that had gotten her this far. She hoped she wasn't digging her own grave in the roses like some others had before.
Virginia hurried down the steps. She didn't care what Wolf had said, she was going after him. She just needed to find Wendell and get him to give her a horse so she could catch up. Of course she had only ridden once before in her entire life, so it would need to be a placid horse, but it was still faster then walking.
Virginia pushed through the doors into the dining hall, hoping that Wendell would be down for breakfast. She was in luck. He was at the table eating and talking with her father. They both look up when she entered.
Tony saw the look on her face and quickly stood.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Wolf's gone…" she began.
"Again?" Tony said in an almost whining voice, plopping back down in his chair.
"Dad." Virginia said, giving him a look that could have killed, "He left a note. He's going after the golden rose bushes of Gretel."
Wendell dropped his fork. It clattered loudly. He stared at Virginia with wide eyes and an open mouth.
"What! Why!"
"He went to an old woman and got her to do a spell that makes him unaffected by the full moon. But in return he has to get her a rose off one of Gretel's bushes. He told me about them. I tried to keep him from going, but he said he had to. I had no idea he was just going to leave in the middle of the night like that, though. I have to go after him." Virginia said.
"Uh uh. No. Not in your condition. Wolf's…well, a wolf. He can take care of himself." Tony said.
"And I can't?" Virginia demanded, her hands planted on her hips.
"That's not what I meant! I…" Tony stumbled.
"I am going after Wolf. I may be pregnant, but I'm not helpless. I'm not even that far along. I'm only about a month in. I'll be fine. Wendell, I need a horse. Something that even dad could ride."
"Hey!"
"You can have any horse you like, Virginia, of course, but I would advise strongly against this. I'll send a messenger after Wolf and get him to turn around." Wendell offered.
"No. He won't listen." Virginia said, shaking her head, "I have to go. And no one is talking me out of it."
"You were always stubborn." Tony said, "But usually you had some common sense. At least, wait for the rest of us. Wendell can send a few guards and I'll go with. Just…"
"No! Now if someone would point me towards that horse and show me where I can get some supplies….?"
Wendell sighed. He called a servant over to help her. Virginia was soon out the door.
"I can't let her go off on her own like that. From the way she was acting and the way you responded, it's dangerous. Can we send somebody after her at least?" Tony asked.
Wendell nodded in agreement.
"Anything you want, Anthony. I don't like this any more than you do. I'll send some guards after them and tell them not to interfere unless they're in trouble. Maybe she won't be too upset." Wendell suggested.
Tony nodded. He wouldn't let anything happen to Virginia. If he didn't know that he would just get in the way himself, he'd be after her. Hopefully she would talk some sense into that wolf and they would come home before anything bad happened. He silently prayed for the best.