Page 29 of Power Shift

I lurch forward on my seat, causing the bike to rock with the sudden adjustment of my weight. There’s a sense of rightness stroking my chest, calling my heart forward to pound at my rib cage.

Her voice is a gentle twinkle in my ears. I toe my kickstand down and stumble off the bike, drawn to the sound.

“See you tomorrow, Clove. Love you.”

Suddenly, it doesn’t matter that Dash is here. I shove past him, our shoulders knocking as he grunts at the impact.

Painted in the beams of dull streetlights, my omega spreads her perfect, apple-red lips into a delicate grin and waves at the woman behind the wheel. She’s perfect, all beautiful, gentle features and a curved figure that my fingers burn to explore. It was a tease only seeing her from the back the first time I laid eyes on her, but also a blessing.

I’d have never survived these days without her had I seen her like this.

I gasp a tight breath and move closer, stepping out from between the buildings. She’s so close, yet too far for me to catch a hint of her warm lemon scent.

My alpha drives me toward her at the same moment the car that dropped her off disappears down the street. She spins on her heels and starts up the sidewalk, walking away from me again.

Only I’m not leaving here without getting a chance to get close to her this time.

With a brief look for oncoming traffic, I jog across the street, my feet smacking the concrete in time with the raging pulse in my ears. The omega is only a few steps from the door when Dash calls after me.

“What are you doing, Ronan?”

I don’t look back at him, but the omega does.

With a fearful squeak, she lunges for the door handle and whips her head back. Blue eyes so pale they’re nearly grey flare wide when they connect with mine. I freeze with a foot on the curb, my thighs pinching tight from the effort it’s taking not to plow her down.

With only a few yards between us, I can make out more of her features. Like the small dip in the centre of her chin and freckles flecked over her nose and forehead. She has a stud in the side of her nose with a diamond that sparkles even in the low light and starry sky.

The T-shirt dress she’s wearing beneath a denim jacket reaches just above her knees and, even with its boxy shape, doesn’t swallow all her curves. They’re not as obvious as they were the other day, but I’ve memorized the image of them in my mind so often over the last week that I don’t need another look. The only thing I need is . . . I don’t know.

Everythingfeels like the most appropriate answer.

She doesn’t run from me. I doubt I look all that warm and inviting, yet she hasn’t spun around and run inside.

Cautious of every move I make and the potential repercussions of each one, I step forward with my right foot and wait for a reaction. The omega’s fingers readjust their grip on the purse strap hanging from her shoulder.

“Do you live here?” she asks, her voice an enchanting song that I want to hear again and again.

It’s hard to breathe, let alone speak. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out of it. My tongue lies limp, the useless fucker.

The omega pulls a short breath in between her lips. “Or . . . are you visiting someone?”

“My family lives here,” I croak, lifting a weak arm toward the building behind her.

“Oh. Are they expecting you? We’re not supposed to let strangers in.”

Smart girl.Pride clangs in my chest. My omega can take care of herself. Now she won’t have to. Not anymore.

“I was leaving.”

The corner of her mouth twitches, a spark of humour appearing in her expression before she forces it back. “Then why were you running back?”

Smart, gorgeous, and clever. How lucky am I?

I take two steps forward, unable to help myself. The omega watches me, on edge but not appearing fearful anymore. Maybeshe feels the same curiosity that I do. And fuck, if I’m lucky, the same draw.

“Consider me interested.”

“In what?”

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