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Byron nudged me. “It’s best if we stop interfering in Margo’s life. If her parents need you to back off, no sulking about it. Are we clear?”
“They like me,” I said indignantly. “They know I won’t hurt Margo.”
“That’s not the point,” he said. “We have to be careful, too. We barely know these people, but they know all of our secrets. Young love often fizzles out. Make sure it doesn’t end in a way that makes them want to punish you.”
Nathan made a sound of disgust, his attention back on us. “Don’t you start. Dorian’s not going to get into trouble.”
“Again, you mean,” Byron said in a wry tone. He focused a stern gaze on me. “No running away or any of that nonsense.”
“That was…” Damn it. “There were reasons.”
“There’s a reason for everything,” Byron said. “Make sure you come to us before you act on reasons.”
Nathan looked to agree, so I smirked at him. “Fine. I’ll let the Hardings call the shots if you take all the blame from Amelia.”
Byron laughed, surprising me. “Let me worry about Amelia. We’ve always indulged her too much. She needs a wake-up call.”
I was starting to feel a little sorry for Amelia.
“It’ll all work out.” Nathan squeezed my shoulder. “Life is full of blips, but we’ll get there in the end. You’re way too young to look so stressed all the time.” He made a face. “Speaking of stressed, I had best shepherd Perdita home before the doctors order a complete bed rest.”
“She’ll be fine, too,” Byron said assuredly. “She’s strong. I have a good feeling.”
Nathan’s smile was weak but hopeful. I needed that hope to remain.
The meeting had bothered me, so I decided to be more proactive that evening with a visit to Margo’s parents. Things needed to be said, and it was best to get them all out of the way now.
Her father answered the door. His expression faltered, but he wasn’t rude. “I’m sorry, Dorian, but Margo is resting. Now isn’t the best time.”
“I’m here to see you and your wife,” I said, standing my ground. “I think we need to talk without everyone else interfering.”
He glanced over his shoulder before sighing. “Come on in then. We’re about to have a cup of tea anyway. You might as well sit down for a bit.”
He led me into the kitchen where his wife was making tea.
“Another one for the pot,” Mr Harding said cheerily.
His wife’s smile died when she saw me. “Oh. Dorian.”
“I won’t take up too much of your time.” I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “I came to apologise for how the meeting went earlier. We all care about Margo, even if we show it in different ways. I don’t want you to get a bad impression of the pack, so I came to say that if you need space from us, all of us, we’ll back off.”
They exchanged a glance.
“Even me,” I added hurriedly. “I won’t complain or try to sneak around. But I won’t give up either.” My cheeks flushed with heat. “I like Margo. I can wait if you need time to adjust though. We’re all dealing with new things we have to get used to, but if me not being around for a while will help, then I can do that. I want to help, and I need for Margo to be okay, so I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Do I not get a say in any of this?” Margo asked from behind me.
The wolf had been aware of her presence, but the boy had been too busy worrying to notice her sneaking up on us.
Margo moved to my side then reached for my hand. “Were you going to let him make a fool of himself all night or what?”
“He didn’t make a fool of himself,” her mother said, though she smiled.
“Ah, come on,” Mr Harding said. “It was amusing seeing him get all earnest and noble.”
“That’s not very nice,” Margo said, though she was smiling, too.
“I’m still here, you know,” I said.
