Page 74 of Power Shift

“You’ll talk to us sooner or later!” he yells, louder this time.

I glare at the guy watching her like he has every right in the world to be making demands and huddle close to her side. He’s tall, maybe the same height as Jasper but without the outrageous good looks. There’s a wideness to him that tells me he’s an alpha, but he’s leaner than you’d usually see. He’s tucked his hair beneath a black beanie, yet I can still tell it’s long and, from the looks of the curls hanging out, a dirty-blond colour.

“Who is that?” I ask her, not wanting to assume.

The clinic door whooshes open behind us, and heavy footsteps clunk on the sidewalk.

She leans into me. “Thorne.”

Rage swells inside of me before Duke is there, every thundering inch of him moving at a quick pace down the sidewalk and across the street. Thorne flashes his gaze toward me, a darkness there that sends ice water down my spine.

“Come inside, Sadie,” I whisper, sliding my arm around her back to slowly turn her. “Duke will take care of him while we talk.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was following me here.”

“It’s not your fault. Let’s just get inside. We got a new flavour of hot chocolate in yesterday that I think you’ll love.”

“What flavour?”

“Cinnamon sugar.”

I open the door for us and usher her inside. The look I sneak behind me doesn’t settle any of my anxiousness. Thorne doesn’t back down as Duke towers over him, his expression hidden.

“I’ve never known anyone to have as many flavours of hot chocolate and tea as you and Clover do,” Sadie says weakly.

“Clover doesn’t drink coffee, so I think we’re all stuck drinking hot cocoa for the rest of time.”

High heels clap on the floor before Clover’s voice drifts down from the hall. “Don’t act like I pry open your jaw and make you drink it. You literally have a coffee in your hand right now.”

I wave it around, the ice inside my reusable cup clinking. “I’m almost done it.”

Our receptionist, Alicia, laughs while sliding a black binder across her hefty white desk. “Duke left this here for you before he stepped out, Clover.”

“Did he say what it’s for?”

“It’s regarding Sadie.”

Most likely the first draft of our safety plan. “Thank you, Alicia.”

I take the binder before Clover has a chance to snatch it and rejoin the group. We let Sadie inside the office first. Clover takes the rear, closing the door behind us.

“How are you feeling today, Sadie? Any pain, cramps, or discomfort that’s unusual?” she asks, falling into her doctor persona.

I take one of the two seats in front of Clover’s desk while Sadie slowly lowers herself into the other. Clover perches behind her desk and smiles sympathetically before taking the binder from me.

“No. I’m just exhausted. When I take the few steps up to my bedroom, I feel like I’ve run a half marathon. I don’t suppose you can help with that?” Sadie asks.

“Unfortunately not. The finish line is so close now, though. You’ve already done such an incredible job, Mama.”

“I know it doesn’t help how you feel, but you’re glowing,” I add.

Sadie rolls her eyes, adjusting her position on the chair. “You’re trying to butter me up, and it’s working.”

“As your OB/GYN, it’s actually my job to cheer you up, especially when we’re this close to baby time,” Clover says.

“I don’t want to open that binder, but we should before I get too freaked out,” Sadie suggests, palming the middle of her belly.

Clover looks at me. “Do you want to go find Duke?”

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