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"Honestly, yeah," Anna says, sounding dejected. "I'm not proud of it, but if I have the connections, why waste them when I can use them for positive change?"

Kotori presses the button to speak. "So what are you hoping to help us with? I assume this isn't just a social call."

"Of course not," Anna says. "I wouldn't want to waste anyone's time. I wanted to speak with Holstein because I know his voice and I could be sure that I was speaking to the right people, but I really wanted to talk to Ahote. No offense, Holstein."

Ahote looks at you apologetically. "I have no idea what this is about," he says, looking as confused as you feel. He squeezes in close to the microphone and presses the button. "This is Ahote. What can I do for you, Anna?"

"It's an honor to speak with you, sir," Anna says, and if you didn't know any better you'd swear she's star-struck. "You may not be aware of this, but during your protests and fighting in Haven there was a lot of footage leaked by the military. We also sent in a few of our activists to take pictures and video to contradict the military's narrative. I'm sure you remember Justin. You gave him over to the military when you caught him."

You lean in and press the button to speak.

"He seemed like a good kid. He always seemed like he had our best intentions at heart."

"He got in over his head. He really shouldn't have been allowed inside Haven alone."

"He seemed way too interested in our affairs. I don't think any of us were comfortable with him sneaking around."

"He shouldn't have been meddling in affairs that aren't his business."

Next

"He's not much younger than you," Anna says with a quick laugh. She's right, now that you think of it. Has all the fighting and killing aged you so quickly?

"I don't mean to be rude, Anna," Ahote says. "I understand your history with us and I appreciate all your hard work. But what does any of this have to do with our situation here and now?"

"Right," Anna says, apparently flustered. "I got a bit off track there, it's just so good to be in contact with all of you again! So, to get to the point, our movement's spread like wildfire since the Haven incident and the footage that the military leaked had the exact opposite effect of what they were hoping for. A video of Ahote's speech from the first protest went viral—it resonated with several major civilian action groups and from there it worked its way up the political chain. I have it memorized: 'Today we will show strength, but this strength will be tempered by civility and a willingness to reason. We will show them our true forms, and we will know no fear!' Just my favorite part of course—it's powerful; it transcends boundaries."

"And that's a good thing?" Ahote asks, his concerns likely mirroring your own. "How could giving us a higher profile help when we're on the run? They'll kill us if they find us."

"See, I'm starting to think they won't," Anna says. "The usual suspects are still hard-lining the government's positions that werewolves aren't human and therefore don't have rights, but there have been successful high-profile citizen referendums in six states now. We've made enough headway that even politicians on the national level are taking sides. General Rivera herself has spoken publicly about her belief that werewolves should be considered citizens, and when even an active general speaks positively about you during interviews with mainstream pundits…I guess what I'm saying is that we're changing minds all over the country."

Ahote keeps his hand off the microphone button and looks over to you. "I see where this is going. She wants a figurehead. The movement can only go so far without a real werewolf that the masses can see and hear. She wants to humanize us."

"It may be the right way forward. We can't hide out here for the rest of our lives in fear."

"It's dangerous. I'm not sure if that level of exposure would be worth it."

"That idea is insane! As soon as any of us stick our heads out, the humans will move in for the kill!"

"There can be no peace with the humans."

Next

"I sincerely hope you're wrong," Ahote says with a frown, eyeing you warily. "But can we really afford to live here in hiding forever? I don't think Sonoma will last that long. She's a powder-keg ready to go off. If we don't ease up the pressure on her I don't know what's going to happen."

"I agree about Sonoma," Kotori says hesitantly. "As usual, the problem is the humans. How can we trust them after all they've done to us?"

The speakers crackle to life again. "Ahote? You guys there?"

Ahote presses the button. "Yes, Anna. We were just having a quick discussion. Am I correct in assuming that this isn't simply a status update?"

"Well, the background is important for the next part."

The elder smiles in an unusually smug manner. You have a feeling that he's made up his mind before she's even asked him the question. "And what would the next part be, exactly?"

"I was hoping that you might want to be the face of the movement. An elder would be—no offense—less threatening, especially one as well-spoken and educated as yourself."

"There's no need for flattery, my dear; I was already considering your proposal before you asked. I'm inclined to agree with you, although I know there will be push-back from the other wolves. Would I be correct in assuming that you have a secure means of broadcasting my voice to the masses?"

"I've spared no expense," Anna says, almost breathless with excitement. "Audio is easy, but give my engineers a few more days and they'll have secure video streaming up and running too. Every news anchor in the country wants to be the first to talk with a werewolf!"

"I think you should do it, Ahote. You have my full support."

"It sounds dangerous, but it may be the only way forward. I'll support your decision."

"This idea puts us at risk. I can't support putting our lives in their hands."

"Even if she's sincere, the humans will use this to track us down. They'll never accept us and I'll never forgive them for what they did to us!"

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