The first thing that Linda became aware of was the throbbing in her head followed by the sickening stench of urine, mold, and body odor. Her eyes fluttered open as she moved her arms which rattled as she stirred for an unknown reason until she was leaning against one of the dark stone wall that seemed to surround her.

She shook her head and looked about her getting used to the darkness realizing that she was locked in a prison and the rattling were from shackles that were fastened tightly around her wrists. A small stained glass window was barred high up on the wall. The red glass discolored everything in the night sky and left a red blotch against the cold stone floor of the cell. The now crimson moon no longer appeared as an object of beauty and freedom but a horrid sign of imprisonment. Linda pressed her body away not wanting to touch the tainted light.

Linda looked over the entire cell suddenly as she noticed that she was alone. Her father wasn't in sight and his scent wasn't there as well. Her heart beat a little faster as the events before she ended up here replayed through her mind in a blur. She recalled the people who pulled themselves from the shadows and surrounded them. The quick struggle as her father and herself attempted to break free from their attackers and then getting struck in the head. Now she was here in some cell without a clue to where she was or even what day it was. Panic stole at her heart and caused it race. Suddenly a new smell came to her. Linda glanced up through the bars. A figure stood there leaning against the far wall.

"It's about time you finally woke up"

Virginia could hardly believe the letter that she clutched desperately. A revoke on the wolf pardon would be horrible and restrictions as well. She couldn't even imagine what would happen to Wolf or Linda. Her father stood behind her with his hand resting on her shoulder in reassuring manner. "What are you going to do about this Wendell," Tony asked, the concern for his daughter and her family evident on his face and in his tone.

"I'm afraid that the problem with the wolf pardon isn't the most important issue," King Wendell said in a strangely calm voice. Tony was about to say something but Wendell cut him off. "The reason that I really wanted to speak to you and Wolf about this was because Queen Riding Hood and Wolf have certain ties to each other. I doubt Wolf ever told you this Virginia but he and Queen Riding Hood are cousins. Both related to the Red House through blood. Wolf in all blood right should be a lord in the second kingdom"

Virginia's eyes grew wide at this. Wolf had never said anything about being related to the House of Red. He never even spoke of his own family. Virginia took in a deep slow breath to steady herself though it didn't work. She wanted to say something spit out hundreds of questions all at once but her voice refused to work. Wendell took the silent pause as a way to let the new information sink in before he continued. "Wolf obviously though has been denied his birthright and the House of Red has ensured that no one other than those who actually are connected to the bloodline know about this. Rumors have of course leaked though the castle walls but there has been no solid evidence to state that they are true. Though now there is a bigger problem. The House of Red has very strict rules on who becomes the next monarch of the second kingdom. It has to be a female of bloodline to the house. Currently the House of Red only has the young prince left in their bloodline which in that case the prince must marry and rule alongside his betrothed"

"Linda is supposed to be seated at the throne though…" Virginia muttered, the first thing she had said in a while. "That's the problem isn't it." She looked desperately up at Wendell "She is a half wolf but she also is the only heir who qualifies for the throne"

"Yes" Wendell said with a simple nod.

The smell of smoke burned his nose. He couldn't think of why he would smell smoke though. Attempting to move his arm Wolf realized he was tied and his eyes flew open to see the thick smoke around him. Suddenly panic filled him "Cripes, it was the full moon. I probably did something bad and am going to get burned for it. Wait… where's Linda?"

Some sense came back to Wolf through the pounding in his head and the smell of smoke. He was on the ground in a field that was obviously alit in flames. Linda was no where in sight. He struggled against the bonds that bound his wrists and ankles together. Finally Wolf was able to bite through the ropes that held his feet.

The fire surrounded him and he moved blindly through the walls of smoke to find fresh air. The ropes that held his hands behind his back. He was trapped and would soon burn to death if he didn't figure a way out. Through the smoke he found a rock ledge. In a desperate leap he jumped from a rock ledge and rolled upon the ground. He was free and took in a deep breath of fresh air.

"Now I should go back to Wendell's castle. I hope Linda is their." Wolf looked fearfully back at the flames that had nearly consumed him praying that Linda wasn't lost in that smoke. He shook himself free of his restraints and dashed off back to Wendell's castle.

Authors Note:

Sorry about taking so long to write this chapter,I was away on vacation and didn't have a chance to write more. At least this chapter is better than the second. Please read and review! I really want to hear your comments.