Page 102 of Power Shift

“She does not!” Clover screeches, stomping to my side.

Thorne turns his nose up at her, ignoring her declaration. He’s too focused on me, reluctance beginning to build in his expression.

“Iwillsee my daughter,” he promises.

The sharp hiss of breath behind me doesn’t go unnoticed.

“How do you know the gender?” Clover shouts, pouncing at him.

An arm snapping out from behind me tugs her backward before her nails can make contact with his face.

Thorne glares daggers at her, shoving a hand through his messy hair. “I’m not sure such a violent person should be in the room with my omega when she’s giving birth.”

“That’s not your call. Just go,” Briar says.

I glance beside me and get a blast of pride deep in my chest. She might be small, but she’s braver than someone triple her size. I don’t ever want to be the one she’s glaring at so fiercely.

Thorne shifts from one foot to another before stealing a look at the window behind us. “Tell Sadie she can’t hide from us forever.”

Clover laughs darkly. “She’s not hiding. You know exactly where she is and can’t stand that she won’t give you the timeof day anymore. After what you put her through, you’re lucky you’re still able to smell the breeze tonight.”

He snarls one final time at her before shifting his attention to me. “We’ll see the both of you again.”

“Only if you have a death wish,” I threaten.

The alpha beside him pales and waits for Thorne to start to leave before following him like a well-trained pet. Only when they disappear behind the corner of the duplex do I let my shoulders drop an inch.

Briar clutches my arm and spin to my front, resting her forehead against my chest. She doesn’t speak, and I don’t blame her. I don’t know what to say, so I follow her lead. Shit, I never know what to say on a good day, let alone after all that.

Clover doesn’t have that same issue. “Well, he’s downright awful.”

I grunt in reply. Briar shakes with a quiet laugh, and I set my hands on her waist, needing the connection.

“Would it be weird if I said he wasn’t as bad as I was expecting?”

“Were you expecting the actual devil? That guy was a piece of garbage, Bee.”

“I know. I just thought he’d try tearing past us to break the door down or something instead of just standing there talking.”

Her confusion makes sense. Alphas aren’t known for their habit of speaking about their issues instead of taking action, especially when we’re feeling territorial and pissed off. Add the other issues Thorne has, and his behaviour was odd.

A pit grows in my stomach. It’s almost like he was testing us.

I pull her flush against me and narrow my eyes on the corner of the house. “Be careful, Petal.”

She nods, lips drifting over my shirt. “I will.”

That has to be enough for now. Until we can handle this situation as a pack.

All five of us.

33

JASPER

The house is alwayssilent this early in the morning.

Dash could sleep until noon every day of the week, Ronan doesn’t like to converse with anyone until at least nine, and Landon’s usually already either on a run or down in the gym and won’t come up until we’ve all scattered, going about our day.

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