Chapter 237

Lucian’s POV
Kael had returned with Raven. Finally, the little guy was here. Eira looked at him, her expression pleasant at the sight of him, but she didn’t go to him.
She offered him a smile and resumed her work, now cleaning some dirt spots with a wet cloth and using tools to cut her hamster’s nails.
Raven simply looked at her, probably surprised that today she didn’t come to him.
“Good morning, bud,” Rafe went to him. “Ready for another adventure today with Daddy Rafe?”
Just as he said it, all of us wondered what this bastard was going to destroy today. His idea of fun clearly wasn’t normal.
Raven nodded. Damn! The kid was going to be like Rafe very soon.
The surprising fact was, he didn’t look at Kael to ask for his permission.
After Kael, Rafe was second person who managed to win this little guy. The fuck we had to work hard.
“Let him eat first,” Kael told him.
Raven once more turned his attention to the busy Eira.
“Want to go play with the pets?” Kael asked him.
He nodded. Every day, Eira always brought him to her pets, so he never had to wait—but today it didn’t happen.
“Go ahead,” Kael told him.
Raven went to her. She looked at him, a light smile on her lips. “Good morning, Raven.”
As he didn’t speak, he simply looked at her, maybe wondering why she was different today.
“Want to brush Ham’s fur?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Have a seat first,” she instructed and handed him a small soft brush once he sat down. Her behaviour was controlled, instead of overexcited.
“Do it like this,” she guided him, then picked up the tool to cut Ham’s nails. There was silence on their end as both focused on their work.
“It’s done,” she said. “You can keep him in the basket now so he can eat.”
Raven did as he was told and even offered the hamster some nuts himself.
“I’ll keep the kitties inside now. They’re warm enough,” Eira said and left with the closed basket to go back inside the house.
While sitting alone, Raven continued to look at her without blinking.
“What do you think is going on in his mind?” I asked.
“Just trying to process a change in her behaviour,” Kael replied.
“Breakfast is ready,” Jason announced just then.
Eira returned, and we had breakfast together as always.
Once we finished breakfast, I turned to Raven. “I’m going to bathe Fluffy. Will you give me a hand?”
I thought it would be a new experience for him. And, addition into our efforts of letting him experience the normal things like other kids. Follow current novels on (.)net
Raven looked at Kael for his permission. Just as I said, we were far from winning him over. I must say I am jealous of that bastard Rafe who had his way to get this kid’s attention.
I hope soon he would be the same with rest of us.
Kael offered him a nod.
I took him to the spot on the lawn meant for Fluffy’s bath. I instructed him on what to so as Fluffy stood in his place.
“You don’t mind getting drenched in water, do you?” I asked him.
Raven shook his head.
“Good. Then hold this shower. When I say, just press this part,” I told him and poured shampoo on Fluffy.
“Water.” Just as I said it, he started—but ended up splashing water on me instead.
“It’s alright,” I assured him. “You can rub the shampoo. I’ll hold the shower.”
He handed it back to me and did as I said. I could tell he was enjoying it.
“Do you like it?” I asked anyway.
He nodded.
“Have you done it before?”
He shook his head.
“Did you ever have a pet of your own?”
Another shake of the head.
The poor child had been kept in isolation and under strict rules. Damn that bastard Asher.
We bathed Fluffy, finally getting rid of all the colors. Raven’s small hands continued to run gently through his fur. There was something about this kid—whatever he did, he did it with complete dedication and precision.
Kael was like this when he was young, while the rest of us were just trouble in hell. After Kael, Raven would be another great Alpha this pack would have. I could tell just by observing him.
Fluffy, as impatient as always, shook his body, sprinkling water all over us both.
It surprised Raven, but he smiled and patted Fluffy’s back.
“Bathing Fluffy can be real fun,” I said, grabbing another shower after handing one to Raven. “Let me show you.”
“Hey guys, Raven needs some help,” I called for them and whispered something in Raven’s ear.
He looked at me as if asking if I was for real.
I offered him a nod.
Jason and Roman came to us—and got themselves drenched in water. Raven did the same.
“Damn, you two,” Jason cursed, but not in anger, and grabbed another shower head. He splashed it at us, and so did Roman.
I hid Raven behind me like a shield while we continued to play like kids.
Rafe came to us and joined our side. “I can’t let my little bud get defeated.”
Eira and Kael were watching from a distance and smiling at us.
At one point, I even picked Raven up in one arm while using the other to hold the shower hose. Both of us fought the other two, who understood the task really well.
The surroundings were filled with laughter and curses hurled at each other while we ran around as far as the long shower pipes allowed us. It was like a water war.
Raven stood in the center, watching us all around him and being showered by water.
Then something happened—
A sound of a giggle.
We didn’t hear something wrong, right?
All of us looked at Raven. Our sharp senses didn’t fail to capture that light giggle.
He was smiling ear to ear and let out a soft, sweet sound of laughter.
He truly wasn’t mute. He just preferred to be that way.