he could change his mind, Sali rose and paced again. His first reaction after sending the email was to text Ashe and discuss the breakup. Sali reminded himself that he couldn't—he'd ruined things with Ashe. Told too many of Ashe's secrets to those who probably didn't need to know them. Realized after a bit that he might have placed Ashe in danger by doing so. And then he'd abstained on the vote to allow Ashe to take Jeremy's execution. He hadn't supported his friend.
"Damn," Sali muttered, raking fingers through thick, black hair. He'd not only managed to lose his best friend, he'd alienated him, too. School would start in two days and he no longer had a best friend or a girlfriend. Things had certainly taken a turn for the increasingly bad and appeared to be speeding downhill at an accelerated rate. Kicking his desk chair angrily, Sali snatched up his car keys, rushed out of his bedroom and headed for the front door.
* * *
"Any problems during your full-moon change last night?" Bear Wright asked as he drove Lewis Sharpe to the Corpus Christi Airport.
"You've got a real problem with coyotes on the island," Lewis muttered. "I spent half the night getting chased by those suckers."
"I'll let Winkler know—maybe his wolves will help solve that problem," Bear grinned.
"That would be outstanding," Lewis muttered. "If there are any smaller shifters, they could end up getting hurt," he added. "Just drop me off at the gate; I can handle things from there. I wish I could stay for that meeting you're having, though."
"Maybe you can make it back if we can convince the shifters to come together. I'd appreciate your vote on the matter." Bear pulled a card from his shirt pocket and passed it to Lewis. "We need to band together. A lot of us can't make a stand against the vamps and wolves if they decide to hunt us again."
"Yeah. Understood." Lewis turned his gaze to the passenger-side window and the rest of the trip was made in silence.
* * *
"Here's a backpack. Make sure you strap it on tight enough when you turn, or you'll lose your clothes, the gun and the fake ID I just paid for," Zeke Tanner glared at the youngest werewolf assassin who worked for him. "Fail me, and you'll join the others, here." Zeke jerked his head toward the taxidermic animals crowding his private study.
Peyton Miller swallowed hard. The white buffalo in particular seemed to be glaring at him with a glassy, accusing stare. Zeke had tracked the stuffed buffalo down through his contacts. The animal had been confiscated in New Mexico with the rest of Obediah Tanner's belongings. Zeke had arranged to have the buffalo stolen back and shipped to him. Peyton knew a lot of money had surrounded that transaction, and the Amarillo Packmaster had been involved.
Peyton shifted uncomfortably at Zeke's words and the turn his thoughts had taken. Killing in Mexico was one thing, where drug wars abounded and police protection and intervention was light. Killing in the U.S. was another thing, especially if one of the Grand Master's closest friends was the intended target.
"Make sure you travel light—I want this done as quickly and as discreetly as possible." Zeke breathed a half growl. "I wish I could bring Josiah back to life, just to watch him die again." Peyton hid the shudder that threatened to become visible, and struggled to keep his heartbeat at a regular rhythm. It wouldn't do to show his increasing fear to Zeke, and it certainly wouldn't do to allow Zeke to hear his thumping heart. Peyton couldn't wait to make his run as wolf across the border, to get away from Zeke Tanner and everything he represented. In his heart, Peyton wanted to leave Mexico behind—for good. His main worry was how quickly Tanner might send someone after him, once he learned Peyton had abandoned his assignment.
* * *
"Gavin, what is this?" Tony stared at the bag from a popular electronics store that Gavin tossed onto the safe house's kitchen table.
"The latest in technology—a
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