Chapter 61

“Boss, you look like shit.”

Ansel turned full steam at Henry. He glared at him with a level of menace he hadn’t felt in a while. It was an old devil, back again.

“Er, sorry.” Henry immediately shrank.

Ansel didn’t have the energy to shake the demon away. His head throbbed. He was tired and achy. He felt like he’d done a round against a hundred Bearmen or maybe been bludgeoned him half to death.

“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Henry tried again. “It’s just - remind me why we’re doing this again? You seem like you might be better off staying in bed.”

Ansel cleared his throat, trying to suppress a cough. He fished for another cough drop in his pocket and unwrapped it.

“I promised Karin. She’s worried about her father. We’ll see what we can accomplish with the Full Moon Pack.”

‘And then I’m going to deal with Edwin,’ Ansel thought, barely containing the rage. He balled his hands into fists, trying to prevent the shift to claws.

Easy, Jeff.

He popped the cough drop into his mouth. Cherry-coated shit.

The air had a cold edge. Ansel wished he’d brought a heavier jacket and tightened the one he had him around him more snugly.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Henry said.

I don’t either.

Ansel paused over the stone path to take in Jeff’s warning. He knew better than to ignore Jeff, even if he could brush Henry aside. Like an ominous cue, a crow cawed overhead as it leapt off a nearby tree and beat its wings against the gray sky.

“Bring two of the gammas,” Ansel said. A little extra muscle couldn’t hurt.

By the time they had made their way to the Full Moon Pack headquarters, Ansel was feeling worse. He managed to drag himself out of the car and they headed into the gothic building, overlooked by stone gargoyles.

Don’t trust them.

Jeff’s words came in a low growl. Ansel and his team were escorted inside by a brawny gamma with icy blue eyes.

I won’t.

In the ongoing civil war, the Full Moon Pack was allied with Blue Moon, but aside from this strategic partnership, they weren’t on friendly terms. There were equal amounts of distrust on both sides.

The frosty reception Ansel and his crew were given came as no surprise.

They waited over an hour outside the Great Hall to see the king.

Ansel sat slumped in a chair and tried to hide the fact that he was shivering from chills.

When they were finally allowed in, Ansel and Jeff both braced for an altercation - or worse.

They stepped into a sunny room with white, billowy curtains. A woman in gauzy lavender awaited them. She had rosy cheeks and bright eyes.

Ansel blinked, momentarily confused.

“Prince Ansel,” she said, cheerily. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Queen Mia,” Ansel said as he lowered his head.

“You look a little surprised to see me,” she said. A ruthless glint peeked through her eyes.

Jeff snarled.

Ansel shifted uncomfortably. “I must admit that I am. I had expected to meet with - “

“King Rollin,” she said. “Has, unfortunately, expired. As of last night, as a matter of fact.” Her lips curled briefly into a smile before she forced her face into a somber mask, but her eyes kept twinkling behind it.

“You’re one of the first to hear the news. I trust that you’ll keep this private, before it can be officially announced.”

Ansel took a beat to process it all. “Of course,” he said. “You have my word, and the word of my men.” He gestured to Henry and the two gammas behind him.

“What brings you here, to the House of the Full Moon?”

Ansel swallowed hard, trying to prevent a rising need to cough. “I came - “ He broke off to clear his throat. “I came to ask for your help.”

“I see,” Queen Mia said. She looked positively gleeful. She sat down primly at an ornately carved table. A servant came over to pour her a cup of tea into a delicate, flowery teacup. Queen Mia laced her fingers together. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with the election, would it?”

“Absolutely not,” Ansel said. It came out much more gruffly than he’d meant for it to.

‘Off to a great start,’ he thought, kicking himself internally.

“Oh, well, that’s a shame. I was, I must say, shocked when I heard of your father’s decision to let Blue Moon elect his heir… One must also worry about the domino effect that could have on the other packs, if you understand my meaning.”

“What? That other packs might hope to have some small say in their own leadership?” Ansel’s voice dripped in all the acid he felt.

Queen Mia sat up straight. “Alright, let’s just skip the niceties, then. What did you come here for? That you thought you needed three men with you, I might add.”

Her guards, stationed in the corners of the room, seemed to visibly tense. Jeff did, too.

“A prisoner,” Ansel said. “Your pack has jailed someone because of his gambling debt. I want him out.”

“What’s in it for me?” Queen Mia stared hard into Ansel’s eyes.

“My good favor,” he said, meeting her fierce gaze. He let Jeff shift just enough for her to see who was really looking back at her.

“I hope you’re not threatening to end our allyship if you assume the throne?” Her voice cut like a razor’s edge.

She paused and turned her attention to her tea. “Because that wouldn’t be very smart of you to show your hand so prematurely, would it?” Queen Mia giggled girlishly, stirring her cup of tea before taking a sip.

“I also don’t think your father would be too happy. Nor most of your pack. No one wants more bloodshed.” She looked at her nails, as though she was bored. “Do they?” Then she peered up at Ansel with fluttery lashes.

Jeff was pawing at him, worried. Ansel’s chest felt tight. He took some shallow breaths. The little bit of energy he’d come in with was giving way.

“Save the politics,” Ansel said. “I came here for one thing. Will you help me or not?”

“Um, no,” she said, flippantly, shaking her head. “No, I don’t think I will.”

Ansel felt cold and shivery. There was nothing left in him for now. He’d failed. He turned around to leave with Henry and the gammas.

“Oh, Sir Ansel?”

He turned back to the beautiful, young queen.

“Good luck in the election.”