Page 97 of Power Shift

“Come on, Dash. You don’t actually think he’s truly this against her, right? His mother has put this constant doubt in his mind that makes him act out in fear of reliving what his father went through. It’s not Briar who scares him but the possible future of what could happen to us because of her. If we had metanyone else, it would have been the same. We’d still have been in this exact same situation,” Jasper says, voice harder, stern.

“His mother was a poor excuse for an omega, Jas. He can’t be comparing what happened with her to Briar. It’s not fair.”

Jasper adjusts me and runs a knuckle behind my ear as his steps even out, telling me we’re done with the stairs now.

“It’snotfair. I’ve been saying that the entire time. I’m hoping that the more time he spends with her, the easier it will be for him to see that too.”

Another pause before a door creaks open. “Do you think she’ll like it in here?”

“I hope so. For now, let’s get her tucked into bed.”

It takes everything in me not to insist they both stay with me once I’m lowered onto a soft mattress. The sheets feel like silk against my bare toes as I stretch out and grasp at Jasper’s arm. He drops the fluffy comforter over me and hovers, trapping my hand beneath his.

“What’s wrong, love?” he murmurs.

When I crack my eyes open, he’s the first thing I see. Even in the low light from the hall, he’s so incredibly handsome.

“You can stay.”

His mouth tips up at the corner. “Not tonight.”

“Another night?”

“Absolutely.”

I smile through a yawn and rub my face into the silk pillowcase before remembering where I am. The mention of a nest sears into my brain.

“Am I in the nest?”

The mattress shifts at my feet. I peer down to find Dash perched beside them, a hand hovering over my calf.

“It’s the nest. We’ve had it for years, but there’s never been anyone in this bed. I didn’t even know we had sheets for it until right now.”

“I put them on earlier. Just in case,” Jasper says sheepishly.

I hum, my chest warming at his honesty and consideration. “They’re nicer than the ones I have at home.”

“We could get you a pair for your place if you really like them. You deserve good sheets no matter where you sleep.”

Dash nods along with his packmate before his hand finally falls to touch me. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“My favourite colour is pink. The pastel kind. But you don’t need to buy me fancy sheets. They can just be a special part of staying here. A bonus.”

“I’d hope that you would eventually move out of this bed and into one of ours. If that’s something you ever felt comfortable enough to do,” Jasper murmurs, running steady fingers through my hair.

The repeated motion is almost enough to send me toppling into the exhaustion that’s stinging my eyes. I let them shut. Just for a minute.

“Do you have silk sheets on your beds?”

“Of course,” Dash guffaws.

“Such spoiled hockey boys,” I tease softly.

Jasper presses his lips to my forehead, lingering. “We’d love to spoil you.”

“Can I have a first request, then?”

“You can have anything, Briar,” he whispers, lips moving across my skin.

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