Page 451 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

“That doesn't matter,” Thane says, loudly enough to draw eyes. Even Maureen's eyes, though they go quickly back to the conversation Arthur's having with my father.

My mother turns back to Wraith. “So you were placed with the Belmonts?”

Wraith’s arms wrap a little tighter around Ivy, and he gives a subtle, cautious nod.

My mother's eyes soften. She doesn't miss anything. It made living under her roof incredibly inconvenient when I was a teenager who already had multiple fake identities he could hide from the law, but not from her.

“And your parents?” she asks gently.

Wraith doesn't respond, but his eyes end up on the table, somewhere.

Thane’s mouth pulls tight.

My mother makes a soft, regretful sound, her shoulders sinking slightly. “You don’t need to answer that. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

His scarred hands rise before she can move on.

M-Y… M-O-T-H-E-R… A-L-I-V-E.

“Oh.” My mother smiles carefully. “Do you see her?”

His fingers stall.

S-O-M-E-T-I-M-E-S.

Ivy covers his other hand with hers, giving it a squeeze.

S-H-E… H-A-T-E-S… M-E.

My mother’s smile vanishes. “And your father?”

Wraith shakes his head.

“Anyone else?”

Another shake.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” she says to Wraith. “That sounds terribly lonely.”

His gaze drops again.

U-S-E-D… T-O… I-T.

My mother presses her hand flat against the table. “No. I don’t care for that answer at all. You shouldn't be used to that.”

Wraith glances at Thane, then Ivy, apparently checking whether he has committed some unknown offense.

Ivy looks delighted.

I see exactly where this train has left the tracks.

“Mother,” I warn.

She waves me away with her splinted hand before turning pointedly back to Wraith.

"Well. I'm your mother now. Consider yourself adopted."

My family all looks up at once.