Page 60 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
No wonder they considered her father brave for callingDoon-wenDaddy. Melissa wouldn’t have dared. “Sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?”
Melissa could have given him a list. For losing her nerve.For falling apart. For being afraid. But his senses were better than herinstincts. He already knew. So Melissa rearranged her limbs, crossing her legsand sitting straighter. “I apologize for my lack of trust.”
He huffed again. “Even those who know me well are wary.”
“Rook respects you. True missed you.”
Doon-wen matched her posture, sitting close enough to loom.He was big, and he exuded none of Rook’s gentleness. Traces of resemblance werethere, but it was like comparing a deep, calm pool with the plummeting roar ofa waterfall.
He said, “Rook adores you. True accepts you.”
Melissa felt the weight of those compliments and ralliedsomewhat. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
“Regarding the proposed enclave. How would you describe theterritory that encompasses the Amaranthine tree?”
“Green.” And since that was meager praise, she pulled outher phone to show him some of the photos she’d snapped for Magda. “The orchardis extensive, but it only accounts for half of their land. I think Uncle Georgehas been planning for an enclave all along. Did Jiminy mention that there’s acircle?”
“Repeatedly.” He stopped her at one she’d taken from atopthe roof outside her bedroom window. “They are willing to host wolves?”
“Yes.” Melissa touched his arm. “When Jiminy mentioned thepack, Uncle George immediately asked for an allotment. You are both wanted andwelcome.”
“I will need to see and sense and run and rove for myself.Learn the bounds and add my mark. Test the mettle of your kin, to foster thenecessary trust.” Doon-wen’s gaze lifted to hers. “To stay within the bounds ofcurrent laws, I have need of a reaver escort.”
“Take me.” She set aside her phone and offered her hands.
His touch was light as his tone. “True would like nothingbetter. Have you need of a pack?”
Melissa glanced at the dozing she-wolf and back. The termshad changed. “Sir?”
“Rook hints. True rants. But neither will tell me all I needto know in order to pick up the scent I need.” Doon-wen’s hands closed aroundhers. “Show me the trail. Guide my courses. While I would foster you for yourfather’s sake, True wants a closer claim.”
“What are you asking for?”
He shook his head. “Ours is more of an offer.”
Melissa found herself wishing Jiminy was there to interpret.“Ours,” she echoed cautiously. “Do you mean you and Rook … or theNightspangle pack?”
Doon-wen said, “True and I.”
“Is she your Kith?”
His nostrils quavered. “I suppose you could put it thatway.”
Was he annoyed? This was going poorly. Melissa’s handsfumbled toward apology, but he cut her off with a huff.
“True is my bondmate.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I assumed she was Kith.”
Doon-wen’s expression didn’t change. “She is.”
Melissa opened her mouth, then closed it again. The leaderof the Nightspangle pack had chosen a wolf for his mate. A sentient wolf, to besure, but Kith couldn’t take speaking form. Was this what Rook had meant bydefying tradition?
Finally, she managed, “Nobody told me.”
“Iam telling you.”
