4

The Red King … I know…stupid right? Er… the Red King wanted a word, waiting politely on the edge of the wood Ianto liked to run through of a sunrise. The dawn chorus due to start and he knew he would be late, annoyance swallowed down as he saw the man's mate standing there as well.

Ah.

"Ruby?"

"My Mate tells me you are the one behind the treaty. Unfortunately my brother fell while returning home with the news. Nothing untoward, just a lorry without it's headlights on. His mate was clipped also, she survives but … I had to act fast and step up before another challenged. With our pack still in mourning and the new…what is that?" she stopped talking as Sean's voice rang out followed by Rhiannon's.

Ianto sighed, stepped back and unfurled his wings, letting them reach out as he opened his throat and sang as well. He knew the Were were standing there with open awe as their bones felt the jungle jangle of old magic. It died away and he cleared his throat, stepping towards them once more as his wings folded around him, transforming and becoming clothing once more.

"Apologies, you can at the time of awakening" Ianto smiled "It's a habit."

"That was beautiful" Ruby said softly "You… you have wings."

"Of course, how else can we fly?" he canted his head as her mate laughed gently and turned to her.

"It's true. All true. They fly. Swim and run."

"And smite!" Ianto said with a wagging finger of jest "I can smite thine enemies with fire and brimstone … leaves a bitter taste in my mouth though. Breathing fire is an art."

"A dying one" the man nodded "Ruby judged you, found you good. I concur. Thank you, finding order is hard."

"I do not want to step on toes, I know you all have your own ways and I respect that. Kelpie will respect that, as long as we are respected too. We live long time here, better to spend it in peace" Ianto smiled "Your pup, my little one was most taken. One day they might both rule, stand and converse as we do now. I hope their tome, when it comes, is with calm appreciation of one another, as it should be."

"You have want of another? Somewhere for a placement within your own?"

"Excuse me?" Ianto blinked as Ruby blurted out her question.

"Another. There is another little one … no family. It is Were but of mixed pack. We cannot place it as neither pack want the bloodline mixed with the other pack … there is talk of putting it down like a common dog. I worried, feared but Ruby tells me you might know of somewhere fir it?"

Ianto was torn, knowing a pup of mixed blood was only protected by its parentals. If both were dead, unless they were loved by one of high standing, that pup would soon follow them to the great hunting grounds.

"How old it is?"

"He is young, a suckling still" Ruby was eager, almost frantic as she saw Ianto shift as if to leave "Barely two months!"

"I … perhaps I know where he will be welcomed" Ianto finally sighed "I do this only for the pup. Not as a bargaining chip later."

"I know" the Big Red nodded "And it furthers my option of you. Thank you, I will have Roby deliver it, as she is known and her scent will not alarm the others."

"I have Were as well as Kelpie in my patch" Ianto confirmed, "Yes. She is best. A female with pups … yes."

Ianto turned and jogged home as h wondered how to explain to his mate that he had saved a child by condemning … wait. He slowed as he neared his house, seeing Toshiko standing on the back steps of the porch looking down at the garden "Tosh!"

"This garden is sad" she declared "You do not spend enough time out here."

"Too busy" Ianto nodded he agreement "Tosh, where is Owen?"

"Here."

"There is a pup coming in, a mixed blood Were that will be killed within days if we do not find a home for it" Ianto said calmly "Two months old, both parents killed in the wars. Now there is a truce, they wish to move the pup and dump it. If the two packs that own it find it they will kill it as they see shame in the other pack's mix. A strange custom and frankly petty thing."

"OK" Owen nodded "When?"

"Soon."

Tosh turned to Owen, "And what do you think?"

"We will look at it and decide. Maybe fostering somewhere within our block. Someone will want the little thing" Owen shrugged and Ianto watched Tosh nod, then start up the steps to head inside and talk to Jack about things, Owen staying outside to look at the garden.

"This garden is poked." He declared "When do you find time?"

"She wants it" Ianto whispered softly as he stepped up and leaned in close "She will not say but … she wants a child. Cannot have one of her own … nearest she will come is adopting. Imagine, a strong Were."

"You think?" Owen asked with alarm and Ianto headed inside to leave Owen out there, staring up at the sky with his head full of thoughts. Heavy.

Tosh was at the sink washing some dishes from the morning crew "He's waking. Can heard the little sod thumping about, will go to him in a sec" she smiled, turning to Ianto "Are you OK?"

"He wants it" Ianto said sadly "Owen. He will never say, is scared he will be a lousy Da, but … I know he really wanted to be a family with you. A little one. Is scared and feels … conflicted."

"Oh" she said softly, turning to look at the doorway, and then she dried her hands nervously "you think? Us?"

"I don't see why not. You've mothered Jack quite well and ignored Diva Gwen. A champ. And Owen will help play with any toys you bring home" Ianto winked as she laughed softly, pushing at him then turning back to stare at the water in the sink.

Ianto went off to find Jack.

job done.