Bound by Forever (True Immortality #3) - S. Young Page 0,71

pleases you.”

Despite his respectful words, Niamh knew Haruto wasn’t asking.

Kiyo nodded. “We’re happy to.”

She noted a slight softening of Haruto’s expression, as if he was relieved Kiyo wasn’t going to give them any trouble.

But then the pack surrounded them, and Niamh stiffened beneath Kiyo’s touch, her body readying itself for battle.

Kiyo squeezed her arm. “It’s okay. They’re just escorting us out of the station.”

She tried—and failed—to relax as they followed Haruto, beseiged by the bodyguards that smelled of damp earth and herbs. None of them smelled like Kiyo, with his distinct smoky scent that reminded her of lazy afternoons in a cabin with a log burner.

Niamh didn’t know why he reminded her of that, considering she’d never had a lazy afternoon in a cabin with a log-burning fire.

Shaking off her silly wayward thoughts, she asked Kiyo under her breath, “What did he call you?”

“Ippikiookami?”

“Yes.”

“Lone wolf.”

“And what or who is Arufua-san?”

“Arufua means Alpha. San is a suffix. Like Mr. or Mrs. It’s used as a mark of respect. It can be used with first or surnames or in regard to a person’s profession. Alpha is a job, a high-ranking job, so their pack will refer to them as Arufua-san. ‘Chan’ is for those we feel affection toward. ‘Kun’ is less respectful. I might use it if someone is the same age or younger than me.”

Isn’t everyone younger than you?

He smirked in acknowledgment, shooting her an amused look that caused little flutters in her belly.

Damn him.

Haruto’s hulking form led them out of the station toward black SUVs with blacked-out windows. Niamh’s steps faltered.

Sensing her trepidation, Kiyo gave her arm a squeeze, his look one of reassurance.

Then his attention was whipped away by a stream of Japanese from Haruto.

Kiyo scowled and he pulled Niamh more firmly into his side. “Absolutely not.”

“What do they want?”

“To separate us.”

At the thought, energy crackled across her skin.

Kiyo shook his head at her ever so slightly and spoke to Haruto. “We come quietly together, or we give the people of Tokyo a show right here, right now.”

Haruto scowled and then exchanged a look with one of the other wolves. Finally, he nodded at Kiyo. “Together.” He opened the back passenger side of one of the SUVs.

Kiyo released Niamh but only to press his hand on her lower back, guiding her forward. It seemed stupid and wrong to get into the vehicle but Niamh had to trust him.

Bristling with agitation, Niamh slid along the leather bench as Kiyo followed her inside. He sat close, his leg pressing against hers.

There was already a werewolf in the driver’s seat. He didn’t move or speak to them.

Then Haruto got into the front passenger seat and clipped out directions in Japanese.

“They’re taking us to the alpha. The pack’s headquarters aren’t in this ward,” Kiyo spoke at a normal level, since even if he whispered, the wolves would hear. “It’s in Shinjuku. Roughly a thirty-minute drive.”

The darkly tinted windows afforded the passenger a view of outside but it was a muted, gray one. Frustrating for Niamh when she wanted her first look at the city. From what she’d glimpsed so far, it looked like any major city. Tall buildings made of concrete, glass, and brick. Multilane main streets with crosswalks and traffic lights. The only difference was the signs with the Japanese characters. But now and then, she’d see an English word on a sign that made her feel less disoriented.

Silence reigned thick in the car. Niamh tried not to worry about what was ahead of them. If Kiyo thought they could survive this interview with a werewolf pack, then they probably could. After all, Fionn had vowed him to an unbreakable bond. If he got her killed, he essentially got himself killed, so she trusted he wouldn’t put her in a too-dangerous position, even if her Spidey senses were telling her otherwise.

Eventually they drove through a greener part of the city. Beautiful trees lined the sidewalks, and she decided she liked this area better for it. When they slowed in traffic, passing what looked like some kind of traditional wall with trees towering behind it, Niamh asked Kiyo if he knew what it was.

“If memory serves, it’s Kudankita.”

“Hai,” Haruto said gruffly from the passenger seat.

Kiyo nodded. “It is. Kudankita is a residential district. Quite prestigious. There’s a Shinto-style shrine in there you’d probably like. It commemorates the war. The buildings are traditional, lots of greenery. It’s its own little town. Very private. Quiet. You don’t really feel like you’re in the city when