"I'll be joining you," Radomir seated himself beside Curtis before Curtis could blink or reach for the door to close it.
"Who are you?" Curtis stared at the tall, handsome man now sitting beside him. For some reason, a tingle of fear crept up Curtis' spine.
"You should not be concerned," Radomir placed compulsion. "Inform the driver where you wish to go."
Chapter 17
"Traje said he thought you knew," Winkler settled on a barstool beside Ashe at breakfast.
Ashe looked up from his eggs and ham. Flossie Thompson had been unusually quiet since her arrival. Ashe figured he knew why.
"It happened last night, after Paul Johnson took the execution. The Grand Master called a meeting with all of Star Cove's werewolves. He announced what he'd learned after Aedan placed compulsion on Dawn Smith and asked her who she'd gotten information from inside the community. Turns out that Marcus has been giving Denise sensitive information when he shouldn't have, asking her to keep it to herself. She's been gossiping with Dawn all along, and all Dawn had to do was ask the right questions."
"What did the Pack do?" Ashe wanted to shiver. He figured he knew the answer but wanted to ask anyway.
"You know there's only one way to remove a Packmaster, if there's no challenge made. The Pack declared Marcus and Denise outcast last night, by a majority vote. Marco isn't a part of the Star Cove Pack any longer, so he couldn't vote. Sali abstained."
"Who's in charge, now?" Ashe didn't express his concern for Sali right then; he'd wait to see what Winkler had to say, first.
"Micah Rocklin. Frank Dodd is acting Second at the moment. We learned that Denise has been feeding information to Dawn about you that she and Marcus had gotten from Sali and a few others. Information that should have been kept confidential. The Grand Master warned Marcus about releasing information on you to anyone else."
"Damn," Ashe cursed softly. "That's why Dawn chickened out on Josiah, then. Denise told her, after I told Marcus not to say anything and the Grand Master agreed."
"Sounds like it."
"What about Randy?"
"Randy is going through his mother's things. I have no idea if he plans to stay or will leave the minute he can get away."
"Too bad," Ashe shook his head and cut another chunk of ham before stuffing it in his mouth. "Randy needs to think this through before making important, life-changing decisions."
"He's emotional, right now. Shirley refused to allow Dawn's burial in her groves, so the remains were hauled to the gulf afterward."
"What did James' parents say? Anything?"
"They called Dawn out before the execution. Pointed out that James had been Randy's best friend, and she'd watched him die without helping. Dawn just growled at them."
"Crazy."
"Yeah."
"What do you think Marcus will do?"
"He and Denise are packing, but haven't told anyone where they plan to go."
"Do you think they'll leave Texas?"
"Yes. The Grand Master told Sali that at sixteen, a werewolf has the right to petition to stay, as long as someone agrees to take him in if his parents have been outcast by the Pack. I heard from Sali this morning." Winkler cut into his slice of ham, which had gone cold while he and Ashe talked.
"What did he say?" Ashe wanted to hold his breath. Forcing himself to breathe normally, Ashe turned back to his breakfast.
"He asked to stay. Said he wanted to be with his brothers. Asked if I'd take him in."
"Brothers?"
"You and Marco."
"What did you tell him?" Ashe wiped moisture from his face with a napkin.
"That I'd be happy to act as his guardian, and pay for his education if he wanted one. After he graduates from high school."
"Thank you, Mr. Winkler," Ashe slumped in relief at Winkler's words and wiped his face again.
"I didn't do it just for him and Marco, Ashe. I did it for you, too. Felt like that's what you'd want."
"It is." Ashe agreed, cutting another bite of ham. His appetite, which had threatened to desert him, had returned quickly. "Will Sali live in Star Cove, or will he live here?"
"I told him to pack his things. I figure you can get him moved in, and then get him to school every morning," Winkler grinned.
"Yeah. I can do that. I just want to wait until," Ashe sighed. Things were so weird, suddenly. He'd never known a life where Marcus DeLuca hadn't been Packmaster.
"Until he can say good-bye to his parents? Ashe, they're welcome to keep in touch. That won't change, as long as they don't go rogue."
"I'll probably bring him home tonight, then. He can come to dinner with me at my parents' house."
"Sounds good. There's an empty bedroom next to Marco's on the second floor."
"Thanks, Mr. Winkler."
* * *
Ashe? Sali's text came through while Ashe was running on the beach with Trace.
Sali? Everything okay? Ashe texted as he ran beside Trace. Trace just shook his head and kept running.
As good as can be expected. Mom and Dad are only packing clothes. Said they'd send a moving van for their other stuff when they decided where they were going.
I'm sorry things turned out this way.
Me, too. I had no idea this was happening. It hurt a lot of people, Ashe. I don't know what to do or say. Nobody is blaming me, looks like, but it's still awkward.
Yeah. Awkward. A good word to use, Sal.
Two syllables, Sali returned. Dad isn't saying anything. Mom, well, things aren't so good on that front. The Grand Master stayed with the Rocklins, last night. I guess to go over protocol. And to make sure of things here, probably.
Sal, this isn't your fault. None of it. People make their own decisions. We all have to live with the consequences.
I know. Look, I've been given the day off from school, but I have to pack.
I heard. Come to my house for dinner tonight, around seven. I hear there'll be meat loaf. I'll bring you home afterward.
Home. Won't ever be the same, will it?
Welcome to my world, Sal.
Yeah. See you tonight.
K.
* * *
"Salidar?" Adele gave Sali a hug when he walked into the kitchen with Ashe.
"I heard there'd be meatloaf," Sali mumbled when Adele let him go.
"There is. Plenty of meatloaf. Hungry?"
"Yeah." Sali hunched his shoulders.
Ashe watched as Sali moved uncomfortably. Marcus and Denise had left two hours earlier, taking only one vehicle. Denise's small import remained in the garage. The plan was to send for furniture and the car later. Ashe had no idea where they might go and hadn't bothered to consult the medallions on his arm. Sali's parents had moved outside his sphere.