Page 103 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
Unaware of the subtext surrounding her, Melissa knelt besideTrue’s muzzle, stroking the she-wolf’s ears and asking questions. Rookoccasionally relayed a response, but Doon-wen watched without comment, takinghis time, testing the air.
Melissa’s attitude baffled Jiminy.
Here was a battler, sure of what she wanted, ready to viewith her peers for the right to partner with a Kith. Yet when given the chanceto make an impression on a new litter, she was holding back. Instead offocusing on the cubs, she gave all her attention to True.
She probably didn’t want Doon-wen to think she was after hiscubs. As if he didn’t know how desperate she was to partner with a Kith. As ifthe wily old wolf wasn’t actively bringing them together.
True had chosen her. Doon-wen had plans for her. All becauseMelissa grasped the essence of Kith partnership. Some battlers might blunderin, hoping for the pick of the litter. But she wanted to be chosen. Melissa waswilling to wait for mutual respect, loyalty, and love.
If the sway of their alpha’s tail was anything to go by, shewould have it.
“Come here, Melissa.” Doon-wen held out a hand—commanding,coaxing. He made her kneel in front of him, in the receiving position. “Intoyour hands.”
“Me?” she gasped.
“True wishes it.” He gravely kissed her hair. “I wish it.”
Melissa offered a shaky smile, and Doon-wen crouched behindher, his body curving over hers in an unmistakable posture. He was coveringher, not with the possessiveness of a mate, but that of a father. And Jiminyrocketed to his feet.
Rook was before him in a blink, a hand on his chest. “Waitand watch. You are their witness.”
“Does sheknow?” Jiminy gave his best rendition of agrowl. “She should not be ignorant of the rare honor they are bestowing.”
Meanwhile, True strained, and the first cub slipped intoview, landing in the straw between Melissa’s knees. She supported the newbornagainst her chest while Doon-wen made sure nose and mouth were clear. Damp fuzzwriggled, and Melissa grunted under the cub’s weight.
“A son,” said Doon-wen. “We will call him High, for thehopes he will answer.”
Rook hurried forward with towels and a warm blanket. Hesaid, “A fine boy, and a fine name. Welcome to the pack, nephew.”
Jiminy didn’t want to steal any of the luster from High’sarrival, but he could not remain silent. He was their pack’s liaison, andMelissa deserved to know what was happening. So he took a more assertive stanceand offered another semblance of a growl.
Doon-wen spared him a glance.
“She should know,” he said firmly.
With a careless gesture, Doon-wen allowed his approach.
Melissa’s smile was the brightest Jiminy had ever seen. Herhappiness overflowed, even to him, and he allowed himself a moment’s basking.But only a moment. “Melissa, there’s a wolvish custom, and you’re becoming partof it.”
She glanced between them. “Okay?”
“You have been placed between Doon-wen and his mate, and inreceiving their cubs, you’re being covered in blood and birthing fluids.”
“Hardlycovered,” she argued.
“The scent, Melissa. You have the same scent; you are in thesame place.” Jiminy could see she still wasn’t grasping the symbolism. “You areamong the cubs.”
Melissa cast a questioning look at Doon-wen, finallyregistering how near he loomed.
When the pack leader said nothing, Jiminy crouched besideher and explained something that normally required no words. “From this dayforward, Doon-wen and True can claim you as one of this litter. This is yourbirthplace. You haven’t been raised as a wolf, but you’llbea wolf.”
True growled.
Doon-wen rolled his eyes.
Rook quietly reminded, “True is Kith.”
“Oh, right.” Jiminy tried to hide his grin. “Technically,you’d be Kith-kin.”
