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I rolled my eyes and squeezed through the crowd to reach the front door, only for one of the women to grab my wrist and pull me back.
“Get away from her,” she warned me. “We don’t need you bringing death anywhere near the baby. You’re bad luck, you are. A curse.”
Victor forced her to let go of my arm. “She’s wanted here,” he told her, a chillingly aggressive look in his eyes. “She’s invited, by Dorian and Perdita.”
“She’s taking advantage of their kindness,” another woman said, looking me up and down. “This baby is precious. We can’t afford to let this continue.”
“Let what continue?” Perdita asked in a cold tone from the doorway.
All attention turned to her. Victor slipped away from me to stand in front of her, squaring his shoulders. Raised on the front steps, she barely saw over his head, but she rested a trembling hand on his shoulder. He gritted his teeth then, looking ferocious, like a different person. I wasn’t the only one filling in for Dorian.
“You’ve had nothing but misfortune since this girl showed up,” the same woman continued. “It’s bad karma. We have to protect the little one even if you won’t.”
Perdita’s other hand moved protectively to her stomach. “Don’t cross the line. Margo’s my guest, and you are—”
“That’s enough now. Everybody go home,” a woman’s voice called out. Evelyn made her way through the group with ease, gently but sternly moving the women out of the way. A bunch of other pack members had gathered nearby, watching with what looked like amusement.
“You’re not even part of the pack,” a voice murmured next to me.
Evelyn heard, immediately turning to look over at the speaker. “I’m her midwife,” she said. “And she doesn’t need the stress of so many people gathering outside of her house.” She gestured for me to follow her. Getting through the group was a lot harder for me, but I finally made it to her side.
“From now on, I’ll be taking care of her,” Evelyn said. “There’s no need for anyone else to interfere. All of this noise and excitement is bad for the baby. I wouldn’t want to have to tell the alpha that any of you made this lady uncomfortable during her pregnancy.”
“But we—”
“When we need assistance, I’ll reach out and let you know,” she continued in that same matronly voice. She sounded pleasant but commanding enough that everyone obeyed her.
The crowd finally moved on, albeit reluctantly, as Amelia came over to see what the commotion was.
“Let’s go inside,” Perdita said with a weary sigh. “Before they come back.”
Inside, I glanced out the window to see if everyone had listened to Evelyn. Only one old woman remained, wringing her hands together as she paced outside. She didn’t have any food with her, but maybe my presence was freaking her out. She looked a little sad though.
I paid attention to the conversation in the room in time to hear Perdita praise Evelyn.
“I hate that kind of nonsense,” Evelyn admitted. “Too many cooks, and all of that. I was serious though. I could be your midwife if you liked. If not, we can pretend to keep those women off your back.”
“I’m happy for your help,” Perdita said.
“You don’t even know her,” Amelia said. “Surely—”
“I said I’m happy,” Perdita interrupted in the kind of tone that said the conversation was over.
“Should we study somewhere else?” I asked. “Most of that seemed to be because I was here.”
“You’re an excuse,” Perdita said reassuringly. “I like your company, and I feel safer with Victor around.”
Victor immediately stood taller.
I stifled a giggle at his reaction. I was pretty sure she was just being nice, but he looked so proud of himself.
“How are you feeling?” Evelyn asked Perdita.
“Good,” she said. “A little tired still, but you were right, my blood pressure dropped. I’ve gotten past the dangerous stage, though, so I’m feeling more confident that everything is going to go well from here on out.”
Amelia was staring at me, making me uncomfortable. “Did something happen?” she asked me. “You seem… different.”
“Nope,” I said. “Just stressing over exams.”
