Page 83 of Power Shift

It’s a summoning that I’m too weak to ignore. With bated breath, I bring my fingers to his hair, giving the thick strands a test stroke. They’re silky and strong, curling between my fingers and tickling my palms.

“Briar,” he mumbles, the sound of my name on his lips shooting like an arrow through my chest as he relaxes once again.

I freeze, a hand still buried in his hair. A moment passes, then another without him moving before I can get myself to continue. He doesn’t really know I’m here, even if his subconscious recognizes my touch.

Inhaling, I let his scent wrap around every inch of me, inside and out, bottom to top. The peace that greets me is yet another reminder that I’m exactly where I need to be.

I have to believe that there will be another chance for us to be close like this again when he’s awake and can witness how good it feels to accept the pull that keeps trying to yank us together.

Once he does . . . everything will change.

27

BRIAR

“I’m startingto believe that this baby will never come out,” Sadie moans, collapsing on the arena seat between me and Clover.

“I’d prefer not to induce you, so as long as everything keeps looking as great as right now, we’ll keep you cooking the little girl for a bit longer,” Clover says.

She gently pats Sadie’s swollen belly and offers her a sympathetic smile.

The pregnant omega sighs. “It could be worse, I guess.”

“That’s the spirit,” Clover cheers.

I shake my head at the two of them, too nervous to add anything to the conversation. I’m not only at my first-ever hockey game, but the star players are also my future packmates.

Getting dressed this morning in the custom jersey Jasper sent me felt like a dream. It’s a claim that’s obvious to me but subtle to those who don’t know me or them. The giant number 1 and letters spelling out Montgomery on my back make my skin tingle beneath the jersey. Even sitting only a few rows from the ice, I’m burning up inside, my skin damp and mouth dry.

It helps having Clover and Sadie here with me for support. The shy omega we only met a few weeks ago seems to be the perfect fit for our small friend group. She’s the only pre-existing hockey fan out of us three and was gracious enough to give me a bit of a rundown on the rules and positions on the way here.

“You look like you’re going to crap your pants, Bee,” Clover says, leaning over Sadie’s lap.

“I’m just nervous.”

“Why? Do you think they’ll lose?”

“No. They’re good, right?”

“The Riptides are doing well so far. They’ve been better, though,” Sadie says with a hand buried deep in the bucket of buttery popcorn she’s balancing on her belly.

I’m more concerned about Landon’s knee than I am the team’s standings in the league. From the look of his bruising, he’s been in a lot of pain for at least a week. I’m not sure continuing to play with an injury is the best choice.

“Do you know how Landon hurt his knee?” I ask.

Sadie nods. “It was a knee-on-knee hit with another player.”

“That’s allowed?” I ask, sucking air between my teeth. Another flush of heat races up my spine as I try not to outright pant.

“No. The hit came in the middle of a game a couple of weeks ago. Orlovsky is a dirty player and got kicked out for it.”

My stomach turns, cramping slightly. “That’s good, at least.”

“The team wouldn’t let Montgomery play if they thought he could worsen his injury,” someone says from my opposite side.

Our seats are close to the rink in a section reserved for omegas. That doesn’t change that the man standing beside my seat is clearly an alpha. He’s wearing a Rayton Riptides jersey, and after studying the numbers of the Montgomery pack earlier today, I know the 5 on his shoulder belongs to Ronan.

“I think you’re in the wrong section,” Clover snaps.

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