Monty smiled. His smile widened when he heard Simon Wolfgard’s voice coming closer.

“The library is a place where you can borrow books your Courtyard or pack has purchased for everyone to read,” Simon said as he entered the front part of the store, followed by five Wolves. “But a bookstore like Howling Good Reads is where you buy books you want to keep for yourself instead of giving them back.” He walked behind the checkout counter and looked at Kowalski.

“Just this one today.” Kowalski set the book on the counter, then pulled his wallet out of the back pocket of his cutoffs.

“What book did the human buy?” one of the Wolves asked, looking at Simon.

Kowalski held up the book so the Wolves could see the cover.

“Alan Wolfgard wrote that book.”

“Yes. I enjoy his stories.”

The Wolves stared at Kowalski before venturing another comment. “There are bad humans in his stories.”

“Sometimes there are bad humans in stories written by humans,” Kowalski countered.

Another long stare before the Wolves looked at Simon.

“I can show you some of the authors who write those kinds of stories,” Simon said. “Lieutenant Montgomery?”

“A minute of your time, if you can spare it,” Monty said.

Simon nodded before leading the pack of guests to the shelves that had the thrillers. Kowalski waved and left.

“Looks like you’re busy,” Monty said when Simon returned to the counter.

“I am. We are.” Simon paused. “No one had considered that the gaggle of girls would have as many questions as the Addirondak Wolves.”

“Gaggle?”

“It doesn’t sound as dangerous as ‘female pack,’” Simon grumbled. “And Charlie Crowgard arrived last night to visit for a couple of days. We got to hear his song about Teakettle Woman and Broomstick Girl. Charlie told the Wolves that the song was based on Meg and Merri Lee thwarting an attack here in the Courtyard, and that Merri Lee was Teakettle Woman. After that, none of the Wolves wanted to get near her while she was holding a coffeepot.”

Monty laughed. Dealing with the Others was dangerous work, no mistake about that, but the absurd moments like a column in a newsletter or the reaction to a song gave him hope that humans and the terra indigene could still find a way to work together. Then he sobered. “I’m here to ask a favor on Captain Burke’s behalf.”

“What kind of favor?”

“His cousin is visiting for a few days. Shady Burke assisted in bringing some special girls safely to land.” The Others had diverted a ship bound for Cel-Romano that had cassandra sangue as part of its cargo, bringing the “lost” ship to Brittania. Shady had participated in the girls’ rescue.

“I remember.”

“Shady would appreciate an opportunity to interact with some of the terra indigene to better his own ability to work with them when he returns home.”