Chapter 75

In the multiverse of space and time, there was a parallel universe where Ansel ordered for Ethan Wood’s arrest immediately, upon first sight. In that world, Ansel would avoid the terrible cascade of events set into motion by the doctor’s violent abrupt death.

But the only universe Ansel wanted was the one in which he and Karin were still okay.

“I asked the kitchen to make you something a little special,” Charles said, carrying in a tray of food. His voice was wrapped in gentle cheer, trying to smooth over some of Ansel’s pain.

Ansel’s stomach soured at the thought of food, but Charles looked desperate to please him in however small a way. He sat up in bed, so Charles could hand him the tray.

“Chocolate French toast. My mother’s recipe. She used to make this for me whenever I was feeling blue.” He gave Ansel a sheepish grin. “I may have helped them out a little, in the kitchen.”

Ansel managed a smile. “It looks good. Thank you, Charles.”

“Certainly, sir. Do you need anything else?”

“Can’t think of anything.” Except a lobotomy, maybe. A way to forget.

“Enjoy. I’ll come back in a bit.”

Ansel cut his French toast. He drowned it in syrup and took as many bites as he could forcibly eat, but mostly, he just slid it around his plate, imagining the universe where he and Karin were together. Maybe they were having breakfast in bed, instead of him, alone. Instead of an empty space.

Ansel drank his coffee, but the caffeine didn’t do that much to counteract the sleepless night before. He’d laid awake all night, thinking. Replaying Karin’s kiss with Ethan Woods. Her accusations, assumptions of him, and the look on her face as she left. Any worries or care removed from her heart, seemingly at peace with it. Done and behind her.

So he’d been thinking, thinking, thinking. Ruminating, but not praying. He wouldn’t pray to the Moon Goddess again. She didn’t answer when Karin left five years ago and she wouldn’t now. His dream of her had just been a dream. His dreams of Jemma - fool’s gold.

Ansel readied himself for the day. Yesterday, he’d let Karin go. On her merry way, no less. At least he didn’t chase after her this time.

No Moon Goddess, no chasing, and there would be no depression, either. He’d told Aron he was worried about becoming who he was before - sick, soft and kind. All of which felt like weakness. All of which had made him all the more vulnerable when he’d lost Karin five years ago.

But now, he knew. That’s not who he was anymore.

Not exactly anyway. She’d softened him again, hadn’t she? Made him kinder. He’d try to keep that, but he’d balance it with the strong, more hardened man he was now.

So, Ansel dug in deep. He spent the day training, focusing on their next raid, strategizing attacks. He ignored poll results, the news, and the aching feeling of loss.

While he was moving and busy, his head stayed above water. When things slowed down, he began to feel like the world was crashing down on him.

It was after dinner when Henry found him.

Night was falling and Ansel was starting to get restless. He could feel the metaphorical rain clouds moving in again as the activity of the day slowed. He threw back two shots of gin to calm his nerves, and an extra one for the hell of it. When that wasn’t enough, he attempted to smoke a cigar. All that brought on was coughing fit and self-flagellation for his stupidity.

More than slightly inebriated, he made up his mind to get back to the hustle of the day. He’d head out on his own to deal with a situation he was briefed on that morning.

After Blue Moon and their allies had defeated two larger packs in the civil war, a small, loosely organized pack of Weres had formed in the vacuum. Not much more than an annoyance, yesterday they’d finally gotten some teeth, kidnapping Queen Mia’s most trusted advisor.

You’ll single handedly take on a domestic terrorist cell, rather than feel your feelings?

‘Always,’ Ansel said, before telling the imaginary version of Aron to ‘fuck off.’

Ansel stopped when he picked up Henry’s scent. Then he heard his footsteps treading down the stony path towards him.

“Sir Ansel,” Henry said, his figure emerging from the darkness. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Just in time,” Ansel said, slurring a bit. He tossed Henry his car key.

“What’s this for?”

“I think you’re my D and D.”

Henry scrunched his forehead. “Dungeons and Dragons?”

“No way, nerd. Designated Driver.”

“I hope that’s not an order. I need to get home, if it’s alright, sir. Maggie cooked dinner, I haven’t eaten, and this day - this last several days now, have been endless.”

“It’s not an order,” Ansel said. “I was planning to go alone anyway.”

Ansel turned, and when he did, one of his feet slipped off into the grass. Slightly unbalanced, he wobbled and had to catch himself from stumbling. Henry grabbed hold of one of his arms.

“Shit, Ansel,” he said.

Ansel shoved him away. “Get off of me.”

“Me get off of you? You almost fell into me!” Henry closed his eyes. “Sir.”

“You’re insolent when you’re hungry.”

“I’m sorry, but goddamnit,” said Henry. “You’re drunk and I want to go home. You can’t drive. And there’s some stuff I need to go over with you.” He groaned.

“I don’t care about the news,” Ansel said. “I don’t want to hear about the polls.”

“Sir -”

“Just cut out the ‘sir,’ crap. You can call me ‘Ansel,’ as long as you don’t get too cocky about it.”

“Deal,” said Henry. “Well, look, we really do need to talk ab-”

Ansel waved his hand in the air. “No. I don’t give a fuck. I don’t want to know any of it. What new controversies they’ve spun. What dead horse they’re beating.”

Henry pursed his lips.

Ansel began to walk back towards the line-up of cars.

Henry followed after him. “We have to talk first thing in the morning,” he said. “There’s no way around it.”

“Fine,” Ansel said.

They reached Ansel’s personal vehicle.

“Where to, Boss,” asked Henry, with a sigh.

“About 60 miles north of here,” Ansel said, climbing into the passenger seat.

“Wait. What?!”

“Get in.”

They made their way down country roads and empty back lanes till they began to reach a thick wooded area. Henry complained most of the way.

“Just shut up,” Ansel growled, finally fed up with him. “If you say another word about food or being hungry -”

“Got it. Fine,” said Henry. He stared straight ahead and wouldn’t look at him for the rest of the drive.

They found an inconspicuous place a few miles out to park, hidden in some overgrown brush and thorny branches.

They went over their plan again before shifting into their wolves. The sky was clear and the waxing moon shone the way.

Blue Moon had offered to collaborate in a rescue mission and a counter attack with the Full Moon pack, but they’d declined. Their relations had grown icier since Ansel’s meeting with Queen Mia. It was more than reckless, since Blue Moon had the intel on where the group had stationed themselves - and were likely holding Queen Mia’s advisor.

“Ansel,” said Henry on the drive over. “Are you doing this to have an exchange? The advisor for Karin’s father?”

“It had occurred to me,” Ansel said. “But I think using him as a pawn to negotiate with will only backfire. You saw the woman. She’s maniacal.”

“That’s why it could work,” Henry said. “You’re not going to just get on her good side, and then she’ll return the favor. I think you’ll have to strong-arm her.”

Ansel sighed. “Yeah. Looks like it, doesn’t it? If I won the election, I could just order her to do it, but that’s not happening.”

“You know how I feel about Full Moon,” said Henry. “Even that may not play out well. I think, as soon as they figure out the right moment, especially with her in charge, they’ll turn on Blue Moon and the rest of the allies.”

Ansel stared out into the darkness. “That’s my concern in trying to negotiate an exchange. They’ll take it as a threat and that’ll raise tensions. Or, they’ll use it as an excuse to separate from the alliance. Treat us like the bad guys. Drum it up to their people.”

Either way, Ansel was going to get Full Moon’s guy out of there. No telling what secrets he held about the alliance that could be spilled to the captors. Not only that, but as this went on, it would embolden other splintery little factions that had arisen over the past few years. Taking out this crew of Weres was paramount.

Maybe I shouldn’t have done three shots.

Ansel groaned internally. The world was still a little woozy, and he hoped he was sober enough to do this. At least with all of his medicine, his breathing and energy level were better.

Ansel and Henry reached a small, run-down house, nestled in the trees. Dim light escaped the closed blinds of the windows. Smoke rose from the chimney.

“Just a cozy cabin in the woods,” Henry joked.

“You hit the front. I’ll hit the back,” Ansel reminded him. His heart began to beat more quickly. Jeff was excited.

There are only so many ways to sneak up on another group of werewolves between their powerful sense of smell and keen hearing.

So Ansel and Henry burst in, instead, kicking down the doors from opposite sides of the house, before shifting back into wolf form.

Immediately, they were met with a fight.