Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

COLT

T he early evening light slanted through the curtains of Colt's bedroom, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. Briar lay curled against him, her breath soft and even against his chest. Colt ran his fingers lazily down her spine, savoring the warmth of her skin and the contentment that buzzed in his veins.

His wolf was satisfied—more than satisfied—settled for the first time in a long while. She was here, in his bed, and she was his.

But the longer he held her, the more the practical part of his mind began to stir. They needed to get up. Dinner was soon, and there were things that needed saying—important things. His brothers had to stop sniffing around Briar, for one. And everyone else needed to understand that Briar wasn't just a guest or a fleeting interest. She was his mate.

Colt pressed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the familiar lavender-and-earth scent that clung to her skin. "Come on, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice rough from sleep and lingering desire. "We need to get moving."

Briar stirred, her body shifting languidly against his. "Mmm... five more minutes."

Colt chuckled, the sound low and deep in his chest. "If we stay here for five more minutes, I'll have you under me again." His hand slid down to her hip, squeezing lightly to emphasize the point.

That got her attention. With a soft laugh, Briar rolled away and stretched, her limbs loose and unguarded. She gave him a sleepy smile, and something inside Colt tightened at the sight.

God, she was beautiful.

"All right," she said, sitting up and brushing a hand through her tousled curls. "I guess we should make ourselves presentable."

Colt grinned, already sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Shower first." He tossed her a teasing glance over his shoulder. "You coming?"

Briar arched an eyebrow, but the hint of a smile played on her lips. "If I must."

In the bathroom, steam began to fill the small space as Colt adjusted the water temperature. He stepped under the hot spray, pulling Briar in with him, her body slick and warm against his. The moment her skin touched his, the lazy hum of arousal sparked to life once more, and his hands found her hips, drawing her close.

Briar laughed softly, running her hands over his chest. "You said this was just a shower."

Colt grinned, his lips brushing along her temple as his hands drifted lower. "I lied."

She gasped as his fingers skimmed down her back, and he took the opportunity to capture her lips in a slow, heated kiss. The water poured over them, turning the kiss slippery and indulgent as Colt's hands roamed freely over her body. Briar responded in kind, her touch bold and teasing as she slid her fingers through his wet hair, tugging gently.

Colt groaned against her mouth, pressing her back against the cool tiles. Every kiss, every touch, felt like a promise—a reminder that she was his and that he had no intention of ever letting her go.

Eventually, they managed to pull themselves together, though not without a few lingering touches and stolen kisses. Colt grabbed a towel and handed it to Briar, watching with a grin as she wrapped it around herself.

They returned to the bedroom, damp and slightly breathless, only to find a neatly folded set of clothes waiting on the bed. A soft, oversized flannel shirt and a pair of leggings—just the sort of thing Briar would find comfortable.

"Etta," Colt muttered, half amused, half exasperated.

Briar picked up the flannel, holding it against her chest with a smile. "She's good."

Colt chuckled, tugging on a clean shirt and jeans. "Too good."

Once dressed, the two of them headed downstairs, their footsteps light as they walked through the old house. Colt could feel Briar's nervous energy beside him, but he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, shooting her a look that said, You're not alone. Not ever again.

When they reached the dining room, Colt was greeted by the sight of his brothers—and their maddeningly cheeky grins. Bryce and Landon exchanged knowing glances, while Etta bustled around the table with the same gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"Well, well," Bryce drawled, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "Look who finally decided to join us."

Landon snorted. "About time. We were starting to think you two might skip dinner altogether."

Colt shot them both a warning glare, though the corners of his mouth twitched with amusement. "Keep it up, and I'll have you both mucking out stalls at dawn."

Bryce waggled his eyebrows, clearly unbothered. "Worth it."

Colt rolled his eyes, pulling out a chair for Briar. "Sit," he murmured, his hand brushing the small of her back as she settled into the seat.

As Colt sat beside her, he felt the gaze of everyone focused on him—curious, speculative, and far too entertained for his liking. But none of that mattered. What mattered was that Briar was here, beside him, where she belonged.

The room quieted as the meal began, the sounds of clinking silverware and soft conversation filling the space. Colt waited, biding his time, until the moment felt right.

When the conversation lulled, Colt stood, clearing his throat as his gaze swept the room. "I have an announcement," he said, his voice steady and sure.

Bryce and Landon exchanged amused glances, but Colt ignored them. He rested a hand on Briar's shoulder, grounding both of them with the contact.

"I've met my fated mate," Colt said, his gaze locked on Briar. "And unless anyone here hasn't heard by now, there's no need to continue the search."

Etta's eyes sparkled with approval, her smile warm and knowing. Bryce let out a low whistle, while Landon simply shook his head, grinning like an idiot.

"Well, hell," Bryce said with a smirk. "About time you admitted it."

Colt shot his brother a dry look. "Try not to sound too surprised."

"I'm just saying," Bryce said, shrugging with a grin. "We all knew. I think you two were the last to figure it out."

Landon leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. "Guess that means no more mooning around the ranch like a lovesick pup, huh?"

Colt chuckled, squeezing Briar's shoulder. "Something like that."

Briar smiled up at him, and Colt could feel the tension slowly easing out of her. She might not have expected to find herself sitting at his side, surrounded by his family—but she was here. And that was all that mattered.

Etta placed a hand on Briar's knee under the table, her smile warm and genuine. "Welcome to the family, sweetheart."

Briar blinked, clearly taken aback, but the corners of her mouth curved into a small, tentative smile.

Colt leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Told you. You belong here."

And as the conversation around the room resumed, Colt retook his seat knowing, without a doubt, that this was just the beginning. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever threats they still had to face—Briar was his. And he would fight for her, no matter what.

Dinner continued and as the clink of silverware quieted, Colt set his knife and fork down with a deliberate motion, the scrape of metal on the plate sharp in the silence. He waited, his silence focusing the attention of everyone in the room on him. His family, his pack—they were watching, waiting.

He leaned back in his chair, slow and deliberate, exuding calm control even as the protective force of his wolf surged beneath the surface. With Briar sitting beside him, her presence grounding him, it was time to speak as the alpha.

As dinner started to wind down, Colt stood once again. "Before everyone leaves, I have a few more things to say," he said, his voice dropping into a deeper register, steady and deliberate. "Briar isn't just running from her past. She's being hunted."

A ripple of tension moved through the room, low growls rising from those men seated around the tables. Their hackles raised instinctively at the thought of someone pursuing one of their own.

Colt rested his hand on Briar's thigh beneath the table, steadying both of them as he continued. "Her former coven arranged for her to marry a man from another coven—one who's already proven violent. When she refused, they didn't take it well. Some of them tracked her here, and today three of those men came looking for her."

A series of low, angry murmurs filled the room, the sound rumbling like distant thunder. Landon's jaw tightened, and Bryce cursed under his breath. Several of the others exchanged dark looks, their expressions hardening with resolve.

Colt gave them a moment to absorb the news before continuing. "This isn't just a visitor issue. They mean to take her from us." His gaze swept across the table, his eyes gleaming with the promise of violence. "That's not happening."

A growl of agreement spread around the room, low and dangerous, the pack shifting in their seats as their collective anger simmered just beneath the surface. These were his people—his wolves—and no one threatened what belonged to them without facing the consequences.

"What do you need from us, Alpha?" one of the older pack members asked, his voice gruff and steady.

Colt sat forward, his hands braced on the edge of the table, every movement deliberate and controlled. "Landon and Bryce are already working with some of the men to increase patrols. No one comes or goes without my permission." His voice cut through the air like a blade, leaving no room for argument. "We're in lockdown starting now."

Murmurs of acknowledgment rippled through the room. Colt could feel the shift—the pack falling into line, their instincts syncing with his. This wasn't just about orders. This was about protecting one of their own.

"No one leaves the barnyard without an escort," Colt continued, his voice a low growl. "I don't care if it's a quick errand or a moonlight stroll. If you're out of sight of the main compound, I want you covered. We'll try to get this resolved as soon as possible."

"We understand," came the firm response from the pack.

Landon leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression hard as steel. "We'll keep everyone in line, Colt. Patrols are already doubling."

Bryce cracked his knuckles, his grin sharp and dangerous. "I'll make sure no one gets close without us knowing."

Colt gave them a nod, satisfied. His pack was ready. They would defend their land, their people, and, most importantly, his mate.

He glanced down at Briar, her green eyes wide but steady as she absorbed the meaning of the conversation. He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. She wasn't alone in this fight—not anymore.

"Anything else?" one of the younger men asked, his wolf peeking out in the gleam of his eyes, ready to act.

Colt's gaze hardened, and his voice rumbled with quiet authority. "If those bastards come back, they don't leave in one piece."

A growl of approval spread around the table, sharp and hungry. The pack was ready for a fight—eager, even.

With that, Briar rested her hand on his. The message was clear. The pack knew where they stood—and where Briar stood at his side, where she belonged. And anyone who thought otherwise? Well, they'd learn soon enough what it meant to cross Colt Savage and his pack.

The tension in the room shifted, sharp and crackling as Colt's gaze swept across the pack, locking eyes with each of them. There was one more matter to handle—one that had festered for far too long. His jaw tightened as he leaned forward, his expression hard, voice low and deliberate.

"There's one more thing." Colt's tone was all alpha now, brooking no argument. "Elle will be escorted into Dallas first thing tomorrow. That should be far enough to keep her out of the hunters' reach. She's no longer welcome here. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can pack their things and leave with her."

A shocked silence fell over the table, broken only by the faint scrape of utensils as the pack exchanged stunned glances.

Elle shot to her feet, her face twisted with disbelief. "You can't be serious." Her voice wavered, a mixture of anger and panic.

Colt's golden gaze cut to her, unwavering and cold. "I'm dead serious, Elle." His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the steel beneath it. "You thought you could stir up trouble by lying to Briar—telling her we were engaged."

Elle paled, her lips parting, but Colt kept going, his words hitting her like hammer blows.

"There's never been anything between us. There never will be. You knew that." His tone was low, dangerous. "But you crossed a line when you decided to lie to my mate."

Elle's breath hitched as murmurs rippled through the pack. Even the younger wolves, those who had always admired her, shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Elle might have had sway once, but not anymore—not with Colt's announcement ringing in their ears.

"Colt, please..." Elle began, her voice softer now, desperate. "What am I supposed to do without a pack?"

"You should have thought of that." Colt's voice was final, as sharp as a blade. "Your games are over. You're done here. If you like, I can see if the Galveston pack will take you in."

Elle's eyes filled with disbelief, flickering between Colt and the other pack members. But no one spoke up in her defense. Not even her usual followers. They could feel it—Colt's decision was absolute, backed by the authority of an alpha.

Colt gestured toward the door with a jerk of his chin. "I'll send several of the men with you. I suggest you be ready."

Elle opened her mouth as if to argue but seemed to think better of it. With a frustrated huff, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the dining room, her heels clicking sharply against the wooden floor.

The moment she was gone, the tension eased, and a ripple of approval spread through the pack.

"That had to happen," Landon muttered with a satisfied grin.

Bryce leaned back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. "Hell, it's about time."

Etta shot Colt a knowing smile, her approval evident. "Good riddance."

Colt gave them a small nod, his attention already shifting back to Briar, who sat quietly beside him. Her green eyes flicked to his, and for a brief moment, something unspoken passed between them—something fierce and undeniable.

Without another word, Colt pushed his chair back from the table and stood, offering his hand to Briar. "Come on."

Briar hesitated for the briefest second, her gaze flickering between Colt and the rest of the pack. But whatever doubts she had melted the moment her hand slid into his.

Colt didn't wait. He pulled her gently to her feet, the feel of her hand in his grounding him, steadying him in a way nothing else ever had. The pack watched silently as Colt led Briar out of the dining room, their quiet respect following them like a shadow.

As soon as they were out of sight, Colt's steps quickened, a low growl rumbling in his chest. He needed her—now.

The moment they reached the top of the stairs and stepped into his room, Colt shut the door firmly behind them, locking them away from the world. He turned to Briar, his gaze dark with need, his heart pounding in his chest.

"You're mine, Briar," he growled, pulling her against him. "No more running. No more doubts."

Briar's breath hitched, but there was no hesitation in her eyes now—only desire. Pure, raw, and burning just as fiercely as his own.

"I know," she whispered, her voice soft but certain.

That was all the invitation Colt needed. With a low, primal growl, he claimed her mouth, his kiss fierce and possessive. Briar melted against him, her hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as if she needed him just as badly as he needed her.

Colt backed her toward the bed, his hands roaming over her curves, memorizing every inch of her. When they tumbled onto the mattress, there was no room for hesitation—only the heady, overwhelming need to finally claim what was his.

And this time, there would be no going back.