Page 79 of Tamiko and the Two Janitors
“That would go against wolf nature. But it won’t stop himfrom encouraging you in my direction.”
“We’ve been over this. I’m not interested in marriage contracts.I want a Kith partner.”
“I know. I’ve been listening, Melissa, and I do understand.I just want to make sure you do, too. Because the Nightspangle pack will seeyour addition to our number as a sign of interest, if not intent.”
“Then we’ll defy them by remaining indifferent.”
Jiminy looked worried.
“Doon-wen can’t force me to accept you, can he?”
“No. That also goes against wolf nature.” His gaze dropped.“What is it you want from a wolf?”
Melissa had no trouble reeling off a list. “Complementarystrengths. Shared purpose. Mutual trust. Lifelong loyalty. Unwaveringdevotion.”
He muttered something. Too soft to hear.
“What?”
Jiminy met her gaze. “I can give you those things.”
Hold up. “I want awolf.”
“Iama wolf.”
“You know what I mean! I want a Kith partner.”
Jiminy went on, more serious than she’d ever seen him. “AndbecauseI’m a wolf, there are things that I want, conditions that have been set,obstacles to overcome.”
Melissa tried to listen. Tried to understand. “What do youwant?”
Without hesitation, he matched her word-for-word. “Complementarystrengths. Shared purpose. Mutual trust. Lifelong loyalty. Unwaveringdevotion.”
“Wanting the same things isn’t the same as wanting eachother.” She returned to her previous point. “Doon-wen will ease up once herealizes we’re not interested.”
“That won’t work.” Jiminy’s posture shifted, and he made aweary gesture with his hands. “I can’t take refuge in indifference because I’mnot.”
Not.
Not?
It took another few beats for Jiminy’s meaning to strike. Hewas notindifferent. And that was … different. Now Melissa was worried.“Maybe you should stop.”
He laughed a little, but in a humorless way. “That also goesagainst wolf nature.”
That morning may have been the proudest of Melissa’slife. In her role as reaver, she took a position between two races, offeringintroductions, assuring peace.
George Reaverson stood tall, gaze fierce, surelybattler-born and more than ready to fight for his own. But at Doon-wen’s approach,his expression wavered toward a wanting Melissa understood all too well. Shehad to wonder what the wolves would make of Uncle George and his hopes.
“An enclave.” The old farmer’s voice cracked with urgency. “Ihave the acreage. I prepared a circle. I know which secrets to keep. The treealone should be leverage enough to ….”
Doon-wen cut him off with a soft growl. “You do not needleverage, George. You called out, and we came. The wolves of the Nightspanglepack are here, and we will stay.”
Uncle George quietly asked, “You will?”
“Let us speak of the future as those who will share it.” Thewolf’s tail swayed as he matched—even outstripped—the Reaversons’ generosity. “Letus run freely across your acreage, and we will protect it. Let us sing withinthe circle you prepared, and we will welcome your generations to our feasts. Letus exchange names in the manner of friends and live as neighbors.”
THIRTY
