Page 190 of Power Shift

There’s so much stuff here that I can’t even begin to categorize it all, from blankets, towels, slippers, and boxes of brand-new pads and bottles of water.

“I put a call out to a few of the businesses that the Riptides have active sponsorships with and reached out to a few via email since our conversation. They were all more than happy to help donate to Harbour of Hope. Everything here was gifted.”

A burn sears my eyes as I bring a hand to my throat, pressing it against the thump of my heartbeat. My inhales are quick, uneven.

“What you do here matters to Rayton, Briar. Your career is a pivotal piece of who you are as a person, and I want to make sure you know that we’d never consider taking that from you for even a second. Instead, we want to see you thrive here. And if a few dozen donations from companies helps with that, then I’m more than happy to do that for you,” he says, gently guiding me back to look at him.

“I wasn’t sure whether betas felt the same about courting as alphas did. So, all of this? It’s beyond my expectations,” I admit, almost shyly.

“I might not be an alpha, but that isn’t going to stop me from courting you, Bright Eyes,” he teases.

Landon’s looking at me already when I bring my eyes to his. “I’ve never felt luckier than I do with all of you.”

Landon offers me a smile that’s not so rare anymore. “We’re pack.”

Yeah, we are.

Sadie sitsin a big yellow chair, rocking the baby bundled in her arms. I tuck my leg beneath me on the couch across from her and watch the two of them.

The soft grunting noises her daughter makes as she sleeps are one of my favourite things about newborns.

“You’re a natural, Sadie,” I say, keeping my voice soft.

She looks up from her daughter, the exhaustion she’s feeling written over every inch of her face. Still, she doesn’t let that dull her smile.

“Yeah? I feel like I’ve already done a million things wrong, and I’ve only been home with her for three days.”

“I’d love to meet one new mom who hasn’t felt that way. The day I have kids, I’m positive I’ll forget everything I’ve learned.”

“Do you see that day happening sometime soon?” she asks.

I blush, my chest lurching. There’s a sliver of doubt there, but it’s immediately wiped away when I feel Jasper’s answering reassurance. He doesn’t even know why I’m doubting, but there he is, putting an end to it before it can fester.

“Maybe not soon. But someday. I’d love a big family.”

Sadie lowers her eyes back to her daughter. “You’d fit a big family. You’ve got the heart for it.”

I blush, nodding in thanks. “Let’s focus on you, though. I want to make sure you know that you have a support system here for you to use anytime you need to. Whether that’s a question about something, even something you think isn’t important, or need a break, all you have to do is call either me or Clover. Our care doesn’t suddenly stop the moment you leave with your baby.”

She presses her lips together, emotion rolling through her stare. “That’s what Duke said too.”

“Duke?” I hide my surprise behind curiosity.

“Yeah. He’s stopped by the last few days. Checking in on things with Thorne and Calla. I think he was actually scared to meet her, but she seems to actually like him more than me sometimes.”

My stomach tightens. “How have things been with Thorne? Do you have any updates?”

She wets her lips, anger flashing. “He was arrested the day I gave birth and is being held without bail. I don’t think we’ll have any other updates until a court date is set, whenever that is.”

“That’s good news, right? At least he won’t be able to try anything else again.”

And with Duke hanging around, it would be incredibly stupid for him to come close to her again. As long as Duke knows what he’s doing being here to begin with. I’ve never known him to make reckless decisions, so he has to. Right?

“I think so. Maybe. It’s going to take me some time to stop wondering when he’ll start showing up again. Even if he does end up in prison, I’m not sure I’ll ever stop looking over my shoulder, waiting for him to pop up.”

“I can’t begin to understand what that feels like.”

She continues her steady rocking, but her eyes lift from Calla, focusing on me. “I never apologized for Thorne breaking into your apartment. And for getting you involved in the first place the night he showed up at my place.”

---