Page 188 of Power Shift

She strokes the back of his hand. “A thousand? That’s it?”

“If we had it our way, there would be no number high enough,” Jasper says.

Briar looks at each of us, her happiness a lightning bolt travelling through my chest. I clutch onto it, holding it in place for as long as possible.

“We’ll go with that number, then.”

EPILOGUE

BRIAR

“We’re goingto Sadie’s place, right?”

If we are, we’ve gone the wrong way. I didn’t say anything when Dash took the wrong turn a few minutes ago because I assumed he’d made a mistake, but we’re so far away now there’s no way he’s getting back on track without pulling a U-turn.

“We’re taking a detour first,” he says, winking at me in the rear-view mirror.

Jasper continues the soft stroking of his thumb over my knee while Landon sends off a text to the Riptides’ coach, confirming that they’ll be back at practice tonight.

I almost forgot that they have actual jobs they need to go back to now that my heat’s over and life can return to normal.

A new normal for the next chapter of our story.

“A detour where? We’re close to the clinic now,” I say.

Ronan rolls down his window and drops his arm out of it. “I told you we should have blindfolded her.”

“Uh, no. Let’s not blindfold Briar,” I argue.

Dash jabs a finger into Ronan’s bicep. “See? Told you she wouldn’t have appreciated that.”

“Why would you have blindfolded me, anyway? You’re allowed to go to the clinic. Did Clover ask one of you to grab something before we go to Sadie’s?”

“No. And I’m not telling you anything yet,” Dash says.

Jasper chuckles softly. “Are you getting nervous, Dash?”

“Stop trying to spoil my surprise!”

“What surprise?” I ask, leaning forward toward the break between the front seats. “Is it at the clinic?”

Dash huffs and flicks on his turn signal. “You’re all on my shit list.”

We turn into the clinic parking lot, and Dash parks in the first stall. It’s empty besides us. Not even Duke is here doing his usual creepy walk around the building on the days we’re closed.

“So, nobody is going to give me a hint as to why we’re here, then?” I ask, already unbuckling my seat belt.

Dash turns in his seat and points his fingers at the guys. “No. And if anyone says anything else, I’m going to start punching balls.”

Jasper flinches. “Sounds good.”

Landon gets out first, so I dive after him, excitement buzzing beneath my skin once my feet hit the pavement.

I haven’t been here in a week, which only ever happens during my heats. My return today is different.

It’s the first time I’ve come back without lingering muscle aches and a cramp in my chest reminding me that I spent another one alone.

As I walk up to the front doors today, I’ve got my four packmates beside me and flesh decorated with mating marks. I’m happy, my heart full.

---