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He left to invite the rest of the family inside. Byron practically stormed the room to get in first, but Amelia swiftly sidestepped her way to take the baby from Perdita before Byron could get a look in.
“I’m an auntie,” she said in a weepy tone. “I can’t believe it.” She looked up, her eyes shining. “She’s sotiny.”
I understood completely.
Byron handed Perdita a gift bag while Jeremy hovered in the background. “Just a few things for the new mother.”
“Thank you,” she said.
I had assumed Byron would immediately steal the baby from Amelia, but he was too busy fretting over Perdita.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked her. “Can we do anything else for you? We’ll have the pram, cot, and car seat ready for when you leave, but is there anything you need? We still have time to get that nice changing unit that—”
She held up her hand to stop him. “I don’t need anything fancy. Thanks for everything though.”
“Oh.” He looked momentarily distraught. “I haven’t called your father yet.”
“I did,” Nathan said, smiling proudly at his daughter in his sister’s arms. “He knows he’s a granddad, and he’s on his way back. He picked the wrong weekend to visit Erin’s family. He’ll be fuming he didn’t get to see the baby first.”
“Speaking of granddads,” Perdita said. “Amelia, stop hogging the baby and let Byron hold her.”
Byron’s face lit up. He held out his arms. Looking disgruntled, Amelia reluctantly handed over the baby.
Cradling the child, Byron’s expression softened. “She’s perfect. Another girl in the family. Isn’t that amazing after all of those years of boys?”
“He’s not a granddad yet,” Jeremy said in a harsh voice that made me flinch. “He’smyfather.”
Perdita’s face fell, a horrified look in her eyes. “Oh, no, Jeremy. I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean anything by that. I just—”
“Oh, I know quite well what you meant,” Jeremy said with a sneer.
“Jeremy,” Nathan said in a warning tone that sent shivers up and down my spine. Byron was gazing at his son with an unreadable expression.
The atmosphere shifted. Everyone tensed.
“I admit you’ve done well.” Jeremy took a step closer to the bed. “You’ve spent all these years trying to insert yourself, making sure you push Nathan into my place. Look at us now. The family is torn apart. Great work, human.”
“Shut up!” I flew to my feet. “Don’t talk to her like that! You don't know anything!”
“Don’t address me,” Jeremy snapped. “You’re barely a wolf. You’re not one of us, so why are you fooling yourself into thinking you’re allowed an opinion on this?”
Amelia stepped in front of me, emitting waves of calming energy. “This is a good day. Let’s not spoil it.”
But even the omega of the pack couldn’t calm Jeremy down.
“A good day,” he scoffed. “He had a girl. Not even a son. How is this a good day?”
“Are you done yet?” Nathan asked in a lazy tone, calmly taking a seat closer to Perdita. He reached out and squeezed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile.
It was then I realised that Byron was standing between Perdita and Jeremy, that Jeremy had an almost panicked look in his eye as the rest of us faced him. He had pushed himself out, all on his own.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jeremy spat.
“This tantrum of yours,” Nathan said. “That's always been your way. Letting everything fester until you take it out on the wrong person. This has nothing to do with Perdita or Dorian, and you know it, so leave them out of this unless you’re a bigger coward than I thought.”
“Who do you think you are?”
“I’mhappy,” Nathan continued. “And I know that bugs you, but I won’t pretend this isn’t the best day of my life just to make you feel better. If you want to talk, we’ll talk at home, but this? This is a great day, a perfect day. I am over the moon that I have a daughter, and I feel sorry for you that you think this somehow takes something away from you.”
