Chapter 53

ANSEL POV

The Next Day: Nighttime

Ansel dragged his feet against the long, regal carpet of the manor’s halls. It was almost midnight, and after training and all-day meetings. He was beyond ready for bed. Standing outside his bedroom door, he exhaled.

I hope she slept in my room.

He thought to himself. He’d grown accustomed to having Karin next to him in bed, especially after a long day. The few times she slept in her own room, by morning she was burrowed under him. Opening the door, through the dark and silence of the room, he could hear light snoring.

She’s already sleeping.

He couldn’t blame her. From what he’d been told by Charles and Doc, she was working hard on the training grounds with Maggie. Being pushed to her limits seemed to suit her well, and Maggie reported she was thriving, and through Jeff he could sense that her and Ada’s bond was slowly being repaired as well.

Not wanting to wake her, he forgoed the lights and stumbled around in the darkness.

Okay, there is stool right here…wait, where is the stool?

He furrowed his brow, took another few steps, then waved his hands in front of him.

I placed a chair here…where is it?

Nothing in his room appeared to be as he’d left it this morning. There was space where things should be, and foreign furniture in spots that originally held nothing. Continuing to stumble through, he almost belted a scream when his knee hit the chair that had somehow magically appeared on the other side of the room. He staggered backward, flipping over the stool, causing him to crash loudly onto the ground. Whipping around, his eyes shot to the bed, and the sound of Karin continuing to snore made him shake his head. He stood. “I’m convinced she can sleep through anything,” he murmured.

“Ansel?” Karin said hazily as she flicked on the light.

“How in the world did you miss all the commotion that just happened, but you heard me speak?”

She stretched. “You have a loud voice.” Pulling back the covers, she patted the other side of the bed. “I’m lonely,” she said, pouting.

“Yes, and you also moved my furniture around.”

“Sorry,” she replied, grimacing. “I stubbed my toe twice, once on the chair and then on the stool. It made me so frustrated I did a little redecorating.”

Ansel chuckled and removed his clothes. “Understandable, but I draw the line at you redecorating my room. I forgave you and the staff’s treason against me, but this is well past the lines of forgiveness.” He climbed into bed and pulled her into his arms. “How was your day?”

“It was good,” she said with a smile. “I only landed on my ass three times during training.” She rubbed her bottom. “Maggie really knows how to throw a punch.”

“Yes, she does. People often ask if Henry is two gammas in one, but I’m convinced it’s only because they haven’t seen Maggie’s wrath.” She grinned at him, and he raised his eyebrow. “What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing. It’s just, Sir Ansel, I believe you have friends now. I’m proud of you.”

He mulled over the statement for a moment. “By God, I think you’re right. I’m going to have to go on a murder spree tomorrow to salvage my heinous reputation.”

Karin laughed loudly, and Ansel found himself pleased at the sound. He continued to think about her statement and noted how much had changed without him realizing. All the things that his father told him would make him weak, made him even more favorable to the people of Blue Moon. His polling numbers were soaring, and those around him seemed more relaxed, leading them to express ideas for the packs improvement that he hadn’t thought about.

“In his image, but not him.”

Aron was right. He may have been his father’s protégée, but he also held the kindness in him from his mother. “Thank you,” he said after a while. “And I’m proud of you as well. We both appear to be stepping out of our comfort zone.”

“Thank you,” Karin responded shyly. She sat up. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Why isn’t Maggie on the B Squad?” Ansel's body went rigid, and she rubbed the back of her neck. “Never mind, sorry I asked,” she mumbled.

“Don’t be. I just am unsure how to answer that question.” He thought carefully of his next words. “There are other things on Maggie’s plate that have precedence over the B Squad; like training you. I’m very conscious of how overworking someone does more harm than good.”

Karin nodded. “You’re right. I never thought of it that way. I’m glad that she has time for work and time for leisure. She’s so excited about the Blue Moon ball.”

“And you?”

She bobbled up and down, making him chuckle. “Absolutely. I haven’t seen my completed dress, but I know I will love it, but really, I’m most excited about spending time with you outside of the manor.”

Though Ansel had always found the ball stuffy, gaudy, and boring, the gleam of excitement in Karin’s eyes brought excitement to him as well. He couldn’t wait to see her eyes sparkle the same way as they entered the ballroom, and dance away the night, ending it by making love.

The two laid in a comfortable silence, but Ansel's mind soon veered to other places. “Karin?”

“Yes?”

“Have you been having any more dreams lately?”

She shook her head. “No, and it’s the weirdest thing. It’s almost like I’m blocked from tapping into my powers, which is sad because there is something that I really want to dream of.”

“What’s that?”

She smiled softly. “Of the little girl I was telling you about. I know it’s strange, but I miss her.”

Ansel rubbed his forehead and looked down at the comforter. “Karin, there’s something I need to tell—” A loud yawn stopped his words. “Sorry about that. Anyway, what I was attempting to say is—” He yawned again, making the heaviness of his body more apparent.

Stop it. I’m going to tell her.

He willed, knowing Jemma was behind the fiasco. He pushed again, but it only seemed to increase his exhaustion.

“Hey?” Karin said as she caressed the side of his face. “I appreciate you trying to have a conversation with me, but your day was even longer than mine. Let’s rest and we can talk about it in the morning.”

Ansel could barely nod his head before he slumped back onto the pillow. Exhaling, his body lighten, and he felt himself fade away.

“Daddy!” Jemma shouted excitedly at the sight of Ansel. She raced to his arms. “You came!”

Picking her up, her infectious smile made him smile as well. “Why would you think I wouldn’t come to see you? Spending time with you has been the highlight of my nights.” Jemma gave him a toothy grin in response that told him he had made the right decision to put his reservations aside. He smirked. “Besides, it’s not like you gave me much of a choice. Don’t think I don’t know you forced me to sleep.”

The tips of her ears reddened, and she looked away. “Sorry, she mumbled.”

“It’s alright,” Ansel said, putting her down. She smiled again and took his hand. As they walked through the white light of nothingness, Ansel looked down at her. “I think it’s time we have a little chat, don’t you?” he said. She looked up at him and then glanced away.

“N-no.”

He nodded. “I think so. Jemma, why does your mother have different dreams than this? I know that’s also your doing.” Jemma’s little shoes squeaked against the floor as she started to drag her feet. “Jemma?”

“You’re mad,” she said, sadly. “You’re mad you’re here.”

“I’m not upset that I’m here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what’s going on. Your mother has been so stressed, and this is all confusing.” He rubbed his face at the sight of her lip quivering. “I’m sorry. You’re a child and I’m interrogating you.” He bent down to her level. “Anything you can tell me would mean a lot, Jemma Jem. To me and to mommy.”

“But the lady said I’m not supposed to tell the secret.”

Ansel tilted his head. “Lady? What lady?” Jemma folded her lips, and he caressed her shoulder. “Tell me. What lady told you not to tell?”

“There is so much that you don’t know about the way the stars aligned to bring you and Karin together,” Jemma said in a voice way older than she was. Peering hard at Ansel, her eyes shifted from blue to a dazzling purple. He stumbled backward, and her eyes gleamed in mischief. “You have always been as stubborn as you are curious, Ansel.” Her body shifted, and Ansel’s eyes widened at the glowing, beautiful woman floating in front of him. With raven hair that flowed through the air as if there was wind, her radiant chocolate skin complimented the amethyst purple of her eyes. “Oh, don’t be afraid,” she said.

“Who are you?”

“You know,” she replied.

Ansel found himself unable to look away. “You’re the Moon Goddess,” he whispered, and she nodded as her grin widened.