Book 1:
The Maine Coon looked over the kittens’ paperwork. “Isn’t Alexei a boy’s name?”
“Don’t,” Dmitri warned
“Isn’t Alexei a boy’s name?” MacReady asked.
“Oh, don’t do that,” Dmitri said. “She hates that.”
Alexei cracked her knuckles again.
MacReady held his paws up. “Sorry, sorry.”
Book 2:
Xiuying put her ears back. “Which one of you is Alexei?”
“I am,” Alexei said.
“Isn’t that a boy’s name?” Xiuying asked.
Dmitri shook his head. “Don’t do that.”
Xiuying raised her paws. “I do apologize. I know European names are different than Chinese ones, so it is unusual for me.” She nodded. “The cousin is Pavel and the thoughtful little brother is Dmitri. You’re good to stand up for your sister like that.”
“It’s more like a warning,” Dmitri said.
Alexei smiled weakly and held out a paw to the twins. “I know these aren’t the best circumstances. Hi, I’m Alexei.”
“Isn’t that a boy’s name?” right-ear asked.
“Don’t do that,” Dmitri warned
“Dmitri, Pavel, Alexei!” Ivan shouted. “Look out!”
The third gray cat looked around, confused. “I thought there were only four. There’s another boy! Where is he?”
Dmitri put his ears back. “Oh, dear...”
Book 3:
Candace pulled out a letter. “Calliope says there are three: Ivan, Dmitri, and Alexei. But the last one’s a girl.”
“Yes, Alexei’s very sensitive about her name,” Miss Kristin said.
Candace shook her head. “I don’t know why Callisto gave her a boy’s name. Too fond of Russian novels, I suppose.”
“It’s not a boy’s name,” Alexei said. “It’s my name.”
Book 4:
The gray tabby turned to Mr. Benjamin. “Sir, hello. We haven’t met yet. I’m Mr. Barr. I know your boy Alexei broke Heath’s nose last week, but that was no excuse—”
Alexei’s tail puffled. “I’m Alexei!”
“Isn’t that a boy’s name?” Mr. Barr asked.
Both Dmitri and Ivan jumped up to hold back their sister.
Book 5:
“I’m Alexei,” she said.
Toby grinned. “That’s a right pretty name.”
Alexei smiled wide. “My brothers are Ivan and Dmitri and—”
“Your mama must have loved them Russian novels!” Toby threw his head back and laughed a long time.
Alexei put her ears back and lashed her tail.
“That is Alexei,” Pavel said.
Bernard wiggled his ears. “Isn’t that a boy’s name?”
Alexei felt her fur catch fire, but it didn’t hurt.
It was more like the fire had always been inside her and now she was finally showing it to everyone. She held out her arms and extended her golden claws.
“It’s not a boy’s name!” she roared. “It’s my name.”
“They…” Toby scrunched up his face. “It was funny. The girl has a boy’s name.”
Alexei took a step forward but stopped.
“I thought Alexei was a boy’s name,” Tracey said, “but I guess Tracey is as well. Or it’s a girl’s name. I’m not really sure.”
“Either way,” Alexei said, “it’s your name. And a nice one, too.”
Book 6:
“Oh, so you’re Alexei.” The man from the university engineering department checked his clipboard. “I was expecting a boy.”
Alexei flicked an ear. “It’s...” She sighed. “It’s my name.”
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