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Jeremy’s face contorted, his anger reaching everyone. The baby began to cry, so Byron handed her to Perdita.
Jeremy’s fingers clenched into fists. “You were always a little—“
“Enough,” Byron said in a low, commanding tone. Drenched in dominance, the resonance of that one word filled the room, a strong reminder of his alpha status. “If you can’t behave, Jeremy, then leave the room.”
Jeremy stuttered for a moment, making a good attempt to hold his father’s gaze. His face contorted as he fought against the command until he finally bowed his head in defeat. He left, slamming the door behind him.
I apologise,” Byron said in a stilted tone. The wolf was right under the surface, fighting to be free. Watching the alpha struggle to contain himself set me on edge.
Perdita reached out to touch his arm. “Byron, I’m so sorry. That was thoughtless of me. I swear I didn’t mean to cause problems.” She sounded tearful. Nathan moved to brush her hair off her face while Amelia pushed me back into my seat with a scornful huff.
Finally relaxed, Byron patted Perdita’s hand. “That’s quite all right.” He sat down, exhaustion clear in his expression. “We both know he would have started an argument no matter what.”
“Still, I should have been more careful. That was sostupidof me.”
“I hope you know that I see you as one of my own. You’re a part of this family, all of you, and I’d be honoured for this little one to call me granddad someday. Jeremy’s problems are with me, and me only, and they are all my fault. I hope you don’t hold it against him, but I understand if you can’t forgive him.”
“I’ve no intentions of making this harder for you.” Perdita glanced down at the baby cradled in her arm. “I hope he finds his happiness soon.”
“He’ll be distracted with his baby, and he’ll likely be embarrassed by today’s episode.” Byron smiled at the baby. “I would have loved a daughter. I’m glad you’re both happy.”
Nathan looked up at him. “We have everything we need, so don’t worry.”
Perdita glanced from Nathan to Byron and back again. “Maybe we should rethink the name.”
“Why?” Byron asked.
Perdita bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. “We were thinking of calling her Diane Ruth after your wife and my grandmother, but now that seems a little…”
“That’s lovely.” Byron choked up a little. “I never imagined you would.”
“We wanted to remember those we’ve lost.” Nathan glanced at Amelia. “My sister used to talk a lot about using our mother or Mémère’s names for her daughter.”
“Like I’d lose it over a name,” she teased. “Diane suits her. I love it.”
“Diane Ruth Evans,” I said. “Or is it Rivers?”
“If we double-barrel it on the birth cert, she can use either name.” Perdita smiled at me, looking thoroughly exhausted now. “What do you think?”
“Sounds perfect,” I said. “You look so tired though. Shouldn’t we leave?”
Nathan laughed softly. “I should be the one kicking you all out. She definitely needs to sleep. It’s been a long day.”
Byron reached across the bed to shake his hand. “Congratulations, you’re a dad. Now watch over them while they rest, and let me know what I can do.”
Nathan’s lips trembled, but he nodded. “Thanks.”
Amelia kissed Perdita’s cheek then gestured for me to get up. I hesitated at the end of the bed before I left, taking one last look at the people I loved best in the world. There was no way I was letting harbingers or anything else cause harm to my family.
CHAPTER19
Margo
Sittingon the edge of my bed, I stared at the backs of my hands, veins cobwebbing across bone, spreading until my skin was completely black. I blinked, and my hands looked normal again.
But I didn’t feel normal. My stomach turned. It had been like that since I came home after having an episode during the meeting with the pack. I wiped beads of sweat from my forehead, felt my stomach heave, then raced to the bathroom before I retched.
I threw up, trying not to recoil in horror. The vomit was black and sticky. Unreal. My fingers trembled as I reached for a toilet roll. I wiped my mouth with a tissue, throwing it into the toilet so I could slam down the lid, flush the toilet, and forget it ever happened.
