Despite the fact Cora laughs, Alek can tell there's nothing remotely funny about this moment for her.

It's not his fault, of course. He can't change the fact he has the name he does, like he can't change the fact she doesn't have her brother with her. That's not what anger's about. Anger's a secondary emotion. It's easier than fear. It's the weapon people use to keep themselves from hurting. Alek knows that because he is a master at lashing out in anger instead of anything else he may be feeling. It's for that reason, more than anything, he remains surprisingly quiet in the face of Cora's outburst.

"I thought I'd sensed a wolf." And if it's something that happened to her suddenly, that can really only mean one thing. "It's your rift ability. You're a Wanderer, right? Whenever a wanderer falls through the rift, they're changed somehow."

And he can help.