Page 105 of Enslak

The boy had been staring at me with wide, fascinated eyes, but at the mention of his name, he perked up.

"Un-un!" His voice rang bright with wonder as his chubby hands reached toward me.

My nephew. A nephew I'd never met. A small piece of family I'd missed entirely.

"Someone's excited to meet you," Willa said with a laugh, setting Titus down on unsteady feet. She steadied him as his bare toes gripped the floor.

He toddled toward me immediately, arms outstretched, babbling excitedly before crashing into my legs. His small arms wrapped around my calves, and he looked up at me with pure wonder, his miniature jacket riding up to reveal his soft belly.

"Big!" he declared, patting my leg with both hands. His tiny fingers barely made a dent in the fabric of my uniform pants. "Big, big, big!"

I knelt slowly, bringing myself to his level as my formal jacket pulled tight across my shoulders. His gold eyes—so like Charick's, so like mine—went wide with fascination.

Without hesitation, he reached out and grabbed my hand, wrapping his tiny fingers around one of my claws. His pelt felt impossibly soft and warm.

"Big," he said again, giggling as he traced the curve of the claw with his finger.

Completely fearless.

"Titus, gentle," Willa said softly, though she was smiling. "Uncle Enslak's claws are sharp."

I carefully curled my hand, letting him explore safely. He laughed—a pure, delighted sound—before pressing his small palm against mine and marveling at the size difference.

Something in my chest cracked open.

This child, this innocent, joyful child, didn't see a monster. He didn't see the scars or the differences that remained from my captivity. He just saw his uncle.

Family.

"He's been asking about you," Charick said quietly, moving to stand beside me. "Ever since we told him you were coming home." He smiled. "He's been practicing 'uncle' for days, but two-year-olds have their own pronunciation."

"He's perfect," I said, my voice rough.

Titus's attention shifted as he turned toward Niki, his eyes lighting up. "Ni-ni!"

Niki knelt beside me with a soft smile. "Hi there, Titus."

"Hi!" He abandoned my hand and threw himself at her, wrapping his arms around her neck in a clumsy hug. She caught him easily, laughing as he patted her face with both hands.

"You're very friendly," she said.

He giggled and babbled something incomprehensible but clearly delighted.

I watched them together—my mate and my nephew—and felt something settle deep in my chest.

Titus climbed into Niki's lap, still chattering away and occasionally pointing at me while announcing "Un-un!" with great enthusiasm.

"He's wonderful," Niki said, bouncing him gently on her knee. He grabbed her hair, fascinated by the dark strands.

"Gentle, Titus," Willa reminded him.

But he was already distracted, reaching back toward me.

"Un-un! Up!"

I lifted him carefully, and he squealed with delight, his small hands patting my face and exploring my features with innocent curiosity. He traced my jaw, touched my nose, then giggled when I made a soft growling sound.

"Again!" he demanded. "Again, Un-un!"