Concern welled in Ezra's chest, and he grabbed a new plate and more or less shoved it at Farkas.
"Hey.What's going on?"He blinked as if his eyes were filled with sand and accepted the plate.
"Eat."
Farkas looked between the toast and Ezra.Then he grabbed the toast and took a bite before dropping it and shaking his fingers as if he'd burned himself.It had to have been hot.It came directly from the skillet.
Ezra fixed more toasts, handed out more toasts, and then stared when the bread was finished.He grew aware the others were talking but he had tuned them out.
When he turned around, Rourke was watching him."You didn't eat, did you?"
"I forgot."
Before Rourke could say anything else, there was a knock on the door, then a woman with long dark hair and startling blue eyes stepped in."Why are you all here?The office is empty and has been empty all morning."
Ezra flinched at the annoyed tone.It was his fault.Fear filled his gut.If he hadn't run away, they wouldn't have been out half the night, and wouldn't have slept late this morning.And if he hadn't made breakfast, they wouldn't be sitting here.
"We're taking the day off.Ezra and I are heading into town."
Ezra held his breath and waited for the woman to attack, but she only shrugged."Have you all eaten in here?"She looked around."Why is Farkas sleeping on your couch?"
Everyone turned toward the couch where Farkas was sleeping.Ezra winced.It was his fault."He needs to rest."
"Was there something you wanted, Tala?"Rourke spoke before anyone else could.
"Nah.It smells good in the corridor, and it's rude not to share."She wiggled a finger at Ezra.
"I'm out of bread, sorry."
She shrugged."I'm grabbing brunch in the dining hall."Then she walked away.
* * * *
Rourke looked at Farkas, unsure of what to do.Ulric and Geri had left, and he and Ezra were leaving too.
"Do I leave him?"He glanced at Ezra who'd put on clean clothes and had redone his braids three times, which made Rourke believe he was nervous about something.
"He needs to rest."
Rourke hummed."Maybe feed him in the evening instead of in the morning."
Ezra nodded.
"Okay, let's go."Rourke headed toward the door, leaving Farkas on the couch.Ezra hurried after him, nervously fidgeting with his bracelets.
"I...eh...have no money."
None at all?If his only job had been to cook for the clan, he guessed it made sense.Maybe.Which also had to mean everything he owned had been given to him.He glanced at Ezra as they exited the pack house and headed toward the garage.
"How do you buy clothes if you don't have any money?"
"Oh...eh...Jiprix sometimes gives me something."
Jiprix.He still hadn't told Ezra about him coming here and part of him was reluctant to, but he didn't know why.He opened the door to the driver's seat of the rusty red Ford and stared as Ezra grabbed the door handle to the backseat.
"Where are you going?"
"Eh..."He gestured at the back seat.
