"So third place… is Felix."
Alina's voice carried gently through the room, calm and clear.
For one second, Felix did not react.
Then his red eyes widened.
He sat up straighter in his chair so suddenly that one of his tails knocked lightly against the leg of the table. His sleepy, half-bored expression vanished completely, replaced by pure, startled awareness.
"…Me?" he asked, blinking once as if confirming reality.
Aine froze.
Then she gasped.
A dramatic, delighted gasp.
"Oh my God, cub!" she burst out, her nine golden tails fluffing up behind her like fireworks exploding in slow motion. "My cub is the greatest!"
Before anyone could stop her, she leaned forward and kissed both of Felix's cheeks loudly.
"Mom!" Felix hissed immediately, his face turning red from forehead to ears. "Everyone is looking!"
"I don't care!" Aine declared shamelessly, cupping his face again. "Look at him! Look at our son! Third place! Third place!"
