Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

COLT

C olt leaned back against the edge of his desk, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he studied Landon. His brother stood on the opposite side of the room, hat stuck firmly on his head, his expression serious. The easy grin Landon usually wore was conspicuously absent, replaced by a grim look that put Colt's instincts on high alert.

"She's in Dallas," Landon said, voice low and even. "Dropped her off at a mid-level hotel near the edge of the city. Gave her a lump sum—enough to last her six months if she's smart about it."

Colt gave a slow nod, his gaze steady. "Think she'll stay put?"

Landon shifted his weight, frowning. "Doubt it." He leaned his shoulder against the door frame, sighing. "Colt, I don't think we've seen the last of her. Something's off with Elle. This isn't just jealousy or disappointment over losing out on some childhood fantasy. It's… something darker."

Colt's jaw tightened as he settled his hand on the desk. His wolf stirred beneath the surface, snarling in silent agreement. He hated to admit it, but Landon was right. He'd known Elle for as long as he could remember. He almost felt badly that he couldn't remember if she'd been born here. Copper Canyon Ranch had been in his family for generations. Elle had been circling the ranch like a hungry predator for as long as he could remember. But this? This wasn't the behavior of someone nursing a bruised ego.

"It's obsession," Landon continued, removing his hat and running a hand through his dark hair. "You should've seen the way she looked when I dropped her off. It was like she wasn't even really there —like all she could think about was getting back here. To you."

Colt's lips pressed into a thin line. He exhaled slowly, the consequence of the situation settling over him like a heavy blanket. Obsession. It explained a lot—why Elle had escalated so quickly, why she'd lied to and threatened Briar, and why she'd desecrated the garden like a woman possessed. Briar didn't know he knew, but there was little that happened on the ranch that he didn't know about.

"She's dangerous," Landon added quietly, watching his brother closely. "If she finds a way back, I don't think it'll just be to make trouble. She's desperate, Colt. And desperate people…" He trailed off, his meaning clear.

Colt pushed off the desk, pacing slowly to the window that overlooked the barnyard. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, every muscle in his body coiled tight. He couldn't let Elle—or anyone else—threaten what he was building with Briar.

His wolf rumbled inside him, demanding action. Protect. Defend. Keep her safe.

"Tell the patrols to keep an eye out for Elle," Colt said, his voice low and full of quiet authority. "I don't want her setting one damn foot near this ranch. If she so much as sniffs around, I want to know about it. If she shows up, lock her up and call Cameron Nichols."

Landon nodded, his expression grim. "Consider it done. I've already told Bryce to keep our guys sharp."

Colt turned from the window, his dark eyes hard as iron. "Good. I don't want Briar upset by this. She's been through enough already."

Landon tipped his hat toward Colt in acknowledgment. "You got it, brother. We'll make sure she's safe."

For a moment, the two brothers stood in comfortable silence, the significance of their unspoken bond filling the space between them. Landon knew as well as anyone just how deeply Colt cared for Briar. And Colt trusted Landon to do what needed to be done.

But still, unease gnawed at Colt's gut. He had seen what obsession could do to a person, how it twisted them up inside and made them unpredictable. Elle wasn't just some spurned woman—she was a threat.

And Colt didn't take kindly to threats.

"Anything else you need from me?" Landon asked, his gaze sharp and knowing.

Colt shook his head, his jaw tight. "No. Just keep her away from here. I don't care how you do it."

Landon gave a short nod, then turned toward the door. "We'll keep things locked down. You just keep an eye on Briar."

Colt grunted in agreement, watching as his brother disappeared down the hall. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Colt alone with his thoughts.

He ran a hand through his hair, looked at his hand, and chuckled softly. How many times had he seen Bryce or Landon do the same? Exhaling slowly, he reined in his anger and concern. Elle was gone—for now—but the problem still lingered in the back of his mind, another dark cloud on the horizon; only this time he feared the storm of which it foretold might prove catastrophic for all of them.

Shaking off the unease, Colt headed for the porch, where Briar was waiting for him. She was his mate, his future, and he wasn't about to let anyone—especially not Elle—get in the way of that.

When Colt stepped out onto the porch, the sight of Briar waiting for him at the small table sent a wave of warmth rushing through him. She looked up from her glass of sweet tea, a soft smile curving her lips.

"There you are," she said, her voice light. "Thought you might've gotten lost."

Colt chuckled as he joined her, sitting down across from her at the table. "Had to take care of a few things." He reached across the table, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. "But I'm here now."

Briar's smile widened, the tension that had been lingering between them earlier melting away. "Good. I was starting to think you'd forgotten about our lunch."

"Never." Colt's voice was low and full of meaning. Having lunch on the porch together had become something of a habit. Communal eating was important in pack dynamics, but lunch with his mate was one of his truly selfish acts.

They ate in comfortable silence, the soft rustle of the breeze and the distant sounds of the ranch filling the air. Colt watched Briar as she sipped her tea, her green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. She looked peaceful, content. And that was all Colt wanted for her.

As they finished their meal, Colt leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. "I wanted to let you know," he began, "Elle's been taken to Dallas. Landon saw her off personally."

Briar arched a brow, setting her glass down. "And that's the end of it?"

Colt nodded slowly. "It should be. But I told Landon to have the patrols keep an eye out, just in case. I don't want her coming back here and stirring up more trouble."

Briar's lips pressed into a thoughtful line. "I still don't like the idea of sending her to another pack. It feels... wrong."

Colt reached for her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers. "It's not about forcing her into anything, sweetheart. If she stays gone, she's free to do whatever she wants. But if she comes back here…" His voice hardened, a protective growl rumbling beneath the words. "Then it's on her."

Briar studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "I suppose you're right."

Colt gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "She made her choices, Briar. Now we make ours."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and Colt could feel the tension lifting and things seeming to fall back into place. With Briar at his side, everything felt... possible.

"Come on," Colt said, standing and pulling Briar to her feet. "How about you and I take a run? I've got the rest of the day, and I'd rather spend it with you than thinking about Elle."

Briar laughed softly, the sound warming Colt's heart. "I like the way you think, Savage."

Colt laughed. "Any questions?"

"Etta explained it and said it's fairly simple, although she did think you might have warned me about the whole my clothes will disappear thing."

Colt shrugged. "What can I say, I like the way you looked naked."

After showing her the communal shifting rooms, which were divided by gender, he let her take her time in shifting. When he started to get worried that she hadn't come out, he knocked on the door. One of the other she-wolves walked out.

"Where's Briar?" he asked. "Is she worried about the shifting process?"

The she-wolf laughed. "No Alpha, she shifted as if she'd been shifting all of her life. She already headed outside."

brIAR

T he shift from human to wolf was exhilarating, terrifying, and freeing. As Etta had explained, her wolf had been in the corner of her mind and came willingly when she called her forward. There was a wonderful, delightful magic that wrapped around her as the swirling mist enveloped her. Once she was wholly wolf, she bounded outside, running in circles, chasing her tail. She had a tail and it felt as natural as not having one.

She ran around the barnyard, barking, yipping and even tried a small howl. The whole thing was so much fun, so unique and yet felt as if she'd always been a she-wolf. Perhaps she'd been born into the wrong species. She knew her magic flowed strongly within her, but she felt more free being a she-wolf.

Colt joined her outside, and they bounded out into the open grassland. The breeze ruffled Briar's fur, carrying the fresh scents of pine, earth, and wildflowers. She leapt over a fallen log, her muscles rippling under her sleek coat as she chased after Colt. Her paws barely touched the ground as she ran, the pure joy of movement filling every part of her.

This was her first run as a wolf, and it was everything she'd hoped for—and more. Her senses were sharper, the world richer, and every sound, scent, and shift in the landscape hummed with meaning. She could feel the pulse of the earth beneath her paws, the rhythm of life that connected the pack to the land. It was exhilarating, intoxicating. She'd thought as a witch she was far more in touch with the earth itself than other humans, but this was so much more than that.

Ahead, Colt's large black form streaked over and through the grasslands, his movements powerful and fluid. He glanced back over his shoulder, his dark eyes gleaming with approval, and Briar felt a surge of pride. This was her mate, her alpha, and she was running beside him as his equal.

Briar pushed herself faster, matching his pace. The cool wind sliced through her fur, carrying the scent of pine and wild grasses. Her heart pounded in her chest—not from exertion, but from sheer happiness. She wasn't just running; she was alive in a way she'd never been before.

Colt let out a low, playful growl, his tail flicking in invitation. Briar responded with a yip of delight, darting to his side and nipping playfully at his flank. He swerved, nudging her back with his shoulder, and together they veered off the trail, plunging deeper into the forest.

They moved as one, their bodies in perfect harmony with the land. Briar felt free—completely and utterly free—and it was in that moment she realized she had no intention of ever leaving Colt's side. This was where she belonged.

They ran until their lungs burned and their paws ached, chasing each other through the prairie like wild things. When they finally slowed to a trot, Colt nuzzled her affectionately, his warm breath ruffling the fur along her neck. Briar leaned into him, her heart still pounding with exhilaration, and knew she would never forget this moment.

Several days later, Briar knelt in the garden—her garden—carefully replanting a row of herbs she'd found in the market. The scent of rosemary and thyme filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil.

The garden was thriving again, thanks to her care and the protective wards she had woven around it. There had been no sign of Elle since Colt's brother escorted her to Dallas, and Briar allowed herself to hope that perhaps the woman had finally moved on.

The yellow cat sprawled lazily in the shade nearby, its tail flicking lazily as it watched Briar work. She hummed quietly to herself, her hands moving deftly through the soil, when a vibration from the cell phone in her pocket hummed insistently.

A text? That was odd. The only people who knew the number to the cell phone Colt had given her were herself, Colt, Bryce, Landon and Etta, and none of them would be texting her. Briar stilled, her heart skipping a beat as the sensation washed over her. She was surprised by the name on the caller identification—it was Elle.

The message appeared like a soft plea tinged with desperation.

‘Briar, please. I just need to talk. I know I've made mistakes, but I want to make it right. If you could meet me… maybe I can explain, maybe the pack will forgive me. Please.'

Briar bit her lip, conflict swirling in her chest. Elle's message seemed as though it was laced with genuine remorse, but it was hard to tell if it was real or just another manipulation. Yet, despite everything, Briar felt a flicker of sympathy.

Maybe Elle was truly sorry. Maybe she just needed someone to listen.

Against her better judgment, Briar decided to meet her. She glanced toward the house, debating whether to tell Colt, but quickly dismissed the idea. He'd only worry, and besides, this was something she needed to do on her own.

The message had given her a location—a clearing in a small gathering of trees by a stream, not too far from the ranch. Briar stood, brushing the dirt from her hands, and pulled her gloves off. The cat meowed softly, sensing her unease, but Briar gave it a reassuring pat.

"I'll be back soon," she whispered.

Taking one of the ranch's ATVs, she rode to the clearing. The drive was quiet, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp leaves. Briar's heart drummed steadily, her senses on high alert as she approached the meeting place.

Elle stood waiting at the edge of the clearing, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. There was no sign of the haughty confidence Briar had come to expect. Instead, Elle looked… small. Defeated.

"Thank you for coming," Elle said softly, her voice laced with emotion.

Briar nodded, though unease prickled at the back of her mind. "I hope you meant what you said."

Before Elle could respond, shadows moved at the edge of the clearing, and Briar's stomach dropped.

Members of her former coven stepped out from the trees, their faces cold and determined.

"No," Briar whispered, her heart seizing with panic. She whirled on Elle, her voice sharp with betrayal. "You led them here. You set me up. You don't need to worry about Cameron Nichols; Colt will kill you for this."

Elle's expression twisted with regret, but there was something wild in her eyes—something that spoke of desperation and fear. "I didn't have a choice," she whispered. "They said they could make the pack take me back and that I could have Colt if I helped them get you."

"You're a fool Elle," Briar snarled as her magic surged to the surface, crackling through her veins like lightning. The coven advanced, their hands raised, power shimmering in the air around them.

Briar raised her arms, summoning her magic in a desperate attempt to fend them off. Light flared from her hands, sending a wave of force toward the coven members, but they were prepared. They deflected her attack with practiced ease, closing in on her from all sides.

A sharp burst of magic sent Briar stumbling backward, and before she could recover, cold iron shackles clamped around her wrists. Pain lanced through her body as her magic was cut off, the iron burning against her skin like fire.

"No!" Briar struggled against the bonds, panic flooding her as the coven closed in. She thrashed wildly, kicking and twisting, but there were too many of them.

Elle stepped forward, her eyes wide with guilt and fear. "I'm sorry, Briar," she whispered.

"Poor, stupid she-wolf," Mark said malevolently as he unleashed one last flash of wild and untethered magic—a barely controlled surge of energy that lashed out, striking Elle.

The woman let out a sharp cry and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Briar's heart pounded in her chest as the coven members hauled her to her feet, their grips vice-like in their strength. She fought against them, rage and fear swirling in her chest, but the iron cuffs kept her magic locked away, leaving her helpless.

Tears stung Briar's eyes as they dragged her toward the woods. She had trusted Elle's plea—believed, for just a moment, that there could be redemption. Now she knew differently, and the taste of betrayal was bitter in her mouth.

She was a prisoner, and the coven had her in their grasp.