Page 366 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

The clip cuts to Wraith at the bench, head bowed while Thane signs something to him. Wraith responds, quick and fluid, then knocks his helmet gently against Thane’s, his eyes softening. Even without being able to hear the huffing sound, I can tell he's laughing.

Claire’s fingers loosen in the blanket.

“He can’t talk,” she whispers.

I pick up on the he immediately and sit up a little straighter.

“No,” Valek says. “The acid damaged his vocal cords.”

Her mouth pulls downward. “Mikhail could talk.”

Valek nods. “He was a child. This happened later.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “Mikhail had a sweet voice.”

Valek lowers the phone slightly.

“I believe you.”

That does it, for some reason.

Her shoulders ease slightly, and her hands release the blanket completely. The wild uncertainty in her eyes dims as she studies Valek's face. She looks back at Valek's screen, then at me.

“Who is that with him? The big alpha with the long hair.”

“That's Thane,” I say, smiling. “My mate, and Wraith's brother.”

“We never had another son.”

“Not by blood," I explain.

Claire touches the edge of the phone with one finger. Valek holds it perfectly still for her. Now it's showing Wraith at the children's hospital, kids hanging off him and squealing in glee. I'm to the side, grinning from ear to ear. I didn't even know anyone was taking pictures.

“That’s Mikhail?” she asks quietly.

“Yes,” Valek says. "That's Mikhail."

She stares at Wraith’s eyes above the gaiter, and her mouth opens slightly, hesitating.

It doesn't last.

"No. That’s Wraith," she says, pushing the phone away.

Valek locks the screen and slips the phone back into his pocket. "Sometimes he prefers that name," he agrees.

Claire's mood curdles fast. "Wraith," she repeats, like the word tastes rotten. "The wraith is telling you about how it took my son's name too, then? It takes everything."

"He didn't take anything," I say, even though I know it's completely fucking pointless. "He is your⁠—"

"You're stupid," Claire snaps at me. "A stupid little girl, letting it touch you. It probably eats you a little at a time while you sleep."

My mouth opens.

Nothing comes out.

Because what the fuck do you even say to that?

"He does not eat her," Valek says, perfectly serious. "He doesn't like to eat at all in front of people. He's shy."