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“It is. I’m coming out. I assume that Ev is here and already has the baby?”

“Yes. Master Edison is dealing with my family. I expect them at any time actually.”

“I’ll hurry.”

“Take your time. I can greet them while you take time to yourself. You just had a baby. You’re supposed to be resting and relaxing and enjoying not doing things other than spending time with the baby.”

There was a knock on the door and I inwardly groaned. I was not ready for this even a little. I took a deep breath and centered myself before turning to go back to the door. I paused and took another breath before I opened the door. As expected, Master Edison was standing there, but so was Chief Daegal and Alpha Mate Mael. And right behind them were my parents. I looked behind them, searching for Wilder and his family, but it quickly became apparent that they weren’t here.

“Good morning,” Chief Daegal said.

“The same to you,” I said. “Please come in.” Once again, I stepped back to allow everyone to enter. I heard Lewis coming down the stairs and when he reached me, without a thought I wrapped my arm around his shoulders.

“Lewis,” Alpha Mate Mael said. “Congratulations again,” he said as he pulled Lewis from me and into a hug.

“Thank you. Would you like to meet Elowen?” Lewis looked up at me. “Where is she?”

“Evan took her that way,” I said as I pointed toward the back of the house. Lewis nodded. He looked to me, then at my parents for a second before back to me. “I have no doubt we will all be back in a moment.”

“Okay,” Lewis said. He stared at the others and started walking before he turned and walked to the back of the house with Alpha Mate Mael.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest and stared at my parents. Not a peep out of them. No hello, not the offer of a hug, no apology for dropping in unannounced, nothing.

“It seems there was a miscommunication,” Master Edison said.

I looked at the created warlock. “On their part? They haven’t reach out to me in several months.”

“Yes, on their part,” Chief Daegal said.

I turned my attention to my parents. My mother was staring after Lewis and Alpha Mate Mael. I kept telling myself that they weren’t terrible people or parents. They were overly aloof. “Not even a hello?” I asked.

“We came to meet your mate and the baby. Wilder mentioned you were mated. You did not share that news.”

I sighed and shook my head. “No, I didn’t. I believe you didn’t even realize I stopped reaching out several months ago when you continually never bothered to reply.”

“We will remain during the meeting if you wish,” Chief Daegal said. “Mael is very much going to enjoy spending time with your baby girl.”

I smiled. “Very well. Please come in. I’m sure Evan can get coffee and all the things. Lewis and I have not been up long. We’re still getting into a schedule with Elowen,” I told them. Chief Daegal nodded and I turned and led them all to the back room.

“Cutie. Can you or Evan get some coffee and teas? And maybe some sort of breakfast? I’m so sorry, little mate. I was going to make you breakfast, but we’re going to be entertaining for a bit.”

“Of course.”

When I entered the back room, I immediately made my way to Lewis and wrapped my arm around his shoulders again before I turned toward my parents. “Father, Mother,” I said. “This is my mate, Lewis,” I told them. I looked down at my mate. “These are my parents, Dunstan and Catherine.”

Lewis, the sweetheart he is, smiled at my parents. “It’s nice to meet you finally. Vaughn has told me a lot about both of you,” he said. He moved across the room and held out his hand to my father. I was incredibly shocked when his perpetual scowl on his face softened and he took Lewis’ hand and shook it gently.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Lewis. Feel free to call me Dunstan, or if you’re comfortable with it, you may call me dad.” Lewis nodded. I stood there and watched, completely shocked. “This is my mate, Catherine.”

“Please call me Cate or mom,” she said. Lewis nodded. Alpha Mate Mael handed Elowen back to me and I carried her over to my parents.

“This is Elowen Rose,” I told them. “She’s one week old as of today.”

Mother made a noise that wasn’t negative in any way. In fact, it was one I’d heard from others when looking at our daughter. I was biased, but she truly was adorable.

“So precious,” Mother said finally. “Can we visit for a bit? Perhaps get a chance to get to know you and your daughter?”

Lewis looked up at me in question. “That’s your call, cutie. You’re the one recovering from birth.”