Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

COLT

T he late afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow across the Copper Canyon Ranch as Colt and his brothers entered the house, their laughter filling the hallway. They were riding the high of a productive day—the herd was moved, the patrols were running smoothly, and everything seemed to be settling into place. For the first time in a while, things felt like they were heading in the right direction.

Bryce, still grinning, clapped Colt on the back. "You were really graceful out there today, big brother. That mare almost bucked you into the next county."

Colt shot him a dry look. "She was just testing me."

Landon chuckled, hanging his hat on a hook by the door. "Testing you? Is that what you're calling getting launched like a rag doll?"

"Next time you can ride her," Colt grumbled, though the hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Bryce grinned wider, clearly enjoying himself. "I'll pass. I like my ribs unbroken, thanks."

The easy banter between them was a welcome shift from the tension that had hung over the ranch in recent days. Colt felt lighter somehow, like the pieces of his life were finally starting to fit together. Briar was his mate, the pack was settling into their new routine, and even the trouble with Elle seemed to be behind them—at least for now.

Just as he started to shrug out of his jacket, the sound of quick footsteps drew his attention. Etta, her expression uncharacteristically worried, rounded the corner and made a beeline for him.

"Colt," Etta said, her voice low but urgent. "Have you seen Briar?"

Colt's heart gave a sudden, hard thump in his chest. "She said she planned to work in the garden earlier," he said, his brow furrowing. "Why?"

Etta's hands twisted anxiously in her apron. "That was hours ago. She hasn't been back, and one of the ATVs is missing."

The light mood that had filled the house vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp, jagged tension that settled in Colt's gut like a stone. His wolf stirred beneath the surface, sensing the shift, the undercurrent of danger that laced Etta's words.

Colt's jaw clenched, his mind already spinning. Briar wouldn't just leave without saying something. She knew how important it was to stay close, especially with members of her coven sniffing around. Something was wrong—he could feel it.

"You sure she took the ATV?" Colt asked, his voice low, controlled.

Etta nodded, her concern deepening. "The ATV is gone, I checked. I asked around, and no one else has it. I can't find it or Briar."

Colt's wolf growled inside him, restless and agitated, ready to hunt. "Where the hell would she go?"

Bryce exchanged a tense glance with Landon, the easy humor gone from their faces. "You don't think…" Bryce began, but Colt cut him off with a sharp look.

"I don't know what to think yet," Colt said, his tone cold and clipped. "But I intend to find out."

Landon stepped forward, his expression serious. "You think Elle's involved?"

The name alone was enough to send a wave of fury surging through Colt's chest. His wolf snarled, clawing at him from the inside. "My guess it's either her former coven or Elle."

"There's no way she'd agree to meet with those men, but she's got a soft heart. She might meet with Elle," said Etta.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised to hear it's Elle," he growled. "But if she's hurt Briar..."

He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. The air around them seemed to vibrate with the unspoken threat, the promise of violence if anything had happened to Briar.

"Landon," Colt said, already turning toward the door. "I need you to gather the pack. Make sure everyone's accounted for. I want patrols doubled."

Landon gave a sharp nod, already moving toward the back door. "On it."

"Bryce, saddle up," Colt said, his voice edged with command. "We're going after her."

Bryce didn't hesitate. "Right behind you, brother."

Colt strode out of the house, the fire in his blood growing hotter with every step. He forced himself to stay calm, to think, but it was difficult with the sharp edge of fear gnawing at him. He couldn't afford to lose control—not now. Not when Briar needed him.

They reached the barn in record time. Bryce grabbed two saddles from their racks, tossing one to Colt with practiced ease. Within moments, they had their horses saddled and ready to ride. Colt swung up into the saddle, his hands steady on the reins despite the storm brewing inside him.

As Bryce mounted his own horse, he cast Colt a sideways glance. "We'll find her, Colt."

Colt gave a curt nod, his gaze hard. "We'd better."

He didn't waste another second. Heading over to where the ATVs were kept, Colt studied the ground until he found the most recent set of tracks. Following them, he galloped away from the barn and toward the open land beyond. Bryce followed close behind, his horse kicking up dust as they charged across the ranch.

Colt's mind raced, every instinct telling him time was of the essence, and might well be running out. Briar was out there somewhere—alone, vulnerable—and he had no intention of letting her stay that way for long.

His wolf prowled beneath the surface, eager to be unleashed. Colt held it in check, forcing himself to focus. He would find her. He would bring her back. And if Elle had anything to do with this…

Colt's jaw clenched so hard it ached. He didn't finish the thought, but the promise of retribution weighed heavily in his mind, like the sharp edge of a blade, waiting to be drawn.

Colt's horse charged across the open prairie, hooves pounding the earth in a steady, urgent rhythm. The wind whipped through his hair, and the sun burned low in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape. Bryce rode beside him, his face grim and determined. Colt's gaze remained locked on the tracks left by the missing ATV—the only evidence of where Briar had gone.

His pulse thundered in his ears. He could feel his wolf pacing inside him, anxious, furious, and ready to tear apart anyone who stood between him and Briar. The bond between them tugged at his senses like a lifeline, but it wasn't enough to tell him exactly where she was or if she was safe.

They followed the trail through the hills and towards the stream, where the trees crowded together, their branches heavy with the scent of pine and damp earth. The path grew narrower, more winding, and the horses slowed to a canter, their hooves muffled by the thick underbrush.

And then, just ahead in the clearing, Colt saw it—the missing ATV, abandoned. His heart skipped a beat, his hands tightening on the reins. Something was off.

"Up there," Bryce called out, pointing to a crumpled figure lying next to the vehicle.

Colt's wolf surged to the forefront, his senses sharpening, adrenaline spiking through his veins. His horse slid to a stop, and he swung down from the saddle before it had fully stopped, striding toward the figure while Bryce remained on his horse.

Elle.

She was sprawled on the ground, unconscious, her clothes disheveled and dirt smudging her pale face. For a moment, Colt's heart pounded with a flicker of cold, calculating fury. Whatever had happened to her, it had to be connected to Briar's absence.

"Is she breathing?" Bryce asked, getting off his horse and coming to stand by his brother.

Colt crouched and placed two fingers against her neck. A faint pulse thudded beneath his fingertips. "She's alive," he confirmed. His jaw clenched. "But she's going to start talking the second she wakes up."

Bryce grunted in agreement, scanning the area with narrowed eyes. "No sign of Briar."

Colt inhaled deeply, trying to catch Briar's scent on the wind, but the only thing lingering was the bitter smell of magic—heavy, dark, and all too familiar. His wolf bristled, muscles coiling with frustration.

"Wake her up," Colt growled, his voice a low rumble of command.

Bryce dug a canteen from his saddlebag and poured cold water over Elle's face. She stirred with a groan, her eyelashes fluttering open as she struggled to focus.

Colt leaned closer, his expression hard, his eyes glowing with barely restrained fury. "Where's Briar?"

Elle blinked groggily, confusion clouding her eyes. It took her a moment to remember where she was—or perhaps what she'd done. Her face crumpled as weak, choked sobs spilled from her lips.

"They took her," she whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling. "Briar's coven. They came for her. They said she belonged to them."

Colt's entire body went rigid, his wolf snarling inside him. "Start talking, Elle," he ordered, his voice dangerously low. "What the hell happened here?"

Elle sat up slowly, cradling her head in her hands. Tears welled in her eyes, streaking dirt down her cheeks. "They… they came to me at the hotel," she stammered, her words barely audible. "Men from her coven. They had a picture of her and knew everything about her—who she was, where she'd been. They offered me a lot of money and said they'd set me up in California."

Bryce scoffed. "And you believed them?"

Elle's sobs deepened. "I… I was desperate. I thought... I thought if I helped them, then Briar would be gone and maybe Colt would see me differently, and if he didn't then at least I would be beyond the pack's reach." She pressed her hands to her face, shame written all over her expression. "I just wanted a way back. I didn't know they'd take her like this. I didn't know..." Her voice cracked, and she dissolved into tears.

Colt's jaw flexed, his teeth grinding together as a wave of righteous anger surged through him. He wanted to shake her—wanted to make her understand the magnitude of her betrayal. Instead, he gripped her arm tightly, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"You betrayed your pack," Colt growled, his voice as cold as steel. "You betrayed me, and you betrayed Briar."

Elle sobbed harder, but Colt had no sympathy left to offer her.

"How did you contact her?" Bryce demanded, his voice sharp with suspicion. "Briar wouldn't have just agreed to meet you after everything."

Elle sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I..." She hesitated, then glanced away, guilt shadowing her face. "I… looked at Etta's phone before I left. I found Briar's number." She swallowed hard. "I thought it might be useful, and I texted her. I told her I wanted to apologize… that I needed to explain things."

Colt's vision blurred with rage, his fists clenching at his sides. "You manipulated her," he snarled, his voice barely human.

Elle shrank back, her sobs quieting to soft, pitiful hiccups. "I didn't mean for it to happen like this. I swear! I didn't think..."

"You didn't think at all," Colt interrupted, his voice cutting like a blade. "And now Briar's gone because of you."

Elle whimpered, her hands trembling in her lap. "I thought they just wanted to talk to her to convince her that she belonged to them. I didn't know they'd..."

"You didn't care," Colt finished for her, his tone laced with disgust.

Bryce crouched beside her, his expression hard. "Where did they take her?"

Elle shook her head, panic flashing in her eyes. "I… I don't know. I swear, they didn't tell me. They just… they knocked me out after Briar fought back."

Colt's heart twisted painfully at the thought of Briar trying to fight her coven alone, surrounded and outnumbered. What would they do when they realized he'd claimed her, and she was now part she-wolf? His wolf howled inside him, a raw, guttural sound of fury and anguish.

He stood abruptly, towering over Elle. "You'd better pray we find her," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Because if anything happens to Briar, there won't be a pack in this world that can save you."

Elle sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking with fear and regret. But Colt didn't care. All that mattered now was finding Briar—finding his mate—and bringing her home.

He turned to Bryce, his expression hard as iron. "Take Elle back to the ranch on horseback. Make sure she's locked up where she can't hurt anyone else. I'll take the ATV. I need every man on patrol. We have to find her."

Bryce nodded, his gaze sharp and focused. "I'm on it, brother."

Without another word, Colt mounted the ATV, gunning the engine as it roared to life. Colt threw the vehicle into gear, the tires kicking up dirt and leaves as he sped away from the clearing. The road back to the ranch blurred beneath him, and every second felt like a lifetime.

His mind raced, replaying everything Elle had said. Briar's coven had her. They'd come for her, and she'd fought them—fought them alone. His wolf snarled in frustration, clawing at his insides, demanding action. He had to find her. But where the hell had they taken her?

Colt gritted his teeth, slamming his palm against the steering wheel in frustration. The coven could've taken Briar anywhere—to one of their sacred places or to some hidden location they'd set up to avoid detection. Without a lead, without a clue, he was running blind.

When the ranch finally came into view on the horizon, Colt's heart pounded with renewed urgency. He didn't have time to waste—not when every second Briar was gone could mean the difference between life and death.

He skidded into the driveway, tires screeching as the ATV came to an abrupt halt. Colt threw open the door and jumped out, his boots hitting the ground with purpose.

The ranch hands milling around the barn straightened at the sight of him, their faces sharpening with recognition. They sensed his urgency, and their instincts kicked in immediately—alert, ready, waiting for orders.

"Get Bryce on the radio," Colt barked, striding toward the porch. "I need everyone assembled. Now."

One of the men nodded and sprinted off toward the radio room without hesitation. Colt's hands clenched into fists at his sides, frustration gnawing at him like a wild animal. They had the manpower, the resources. But without a direction—without knowing where Briar was—they were flying blind.

He ascended the porch steps two at a time, his boots thudding heavily against the wood. Etta met him at the door, her sharp eyes full of concern.

"Did you find her?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Colt shook his head, his jaw tight. "Not yet. But we know who has her. Her coven came for her."

Etta's expression darkened. "And Elle?"

"Bryce is bringing her in," Colt replied, his voice a low growl. "Nichols can deal with her."

Etta's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "Good. What's the plan?"

Colt exhaled slowly, trying to steady the fury simmering just beneath his skin. "We mobilize," he said, his voice rough. "I need every able body ready to move. We search every road, every back trail. I don't care where we have to go—we're not stopping until we find her."

Etta rested a hand on Colt's arm, her touch grounding him. "We'll find her, Colt. And we'll bring her home."

Colt gave a curt nod, his heart heavy with determination. "Damn right we will."

Briar was out there somewhere—alone, in danger—and Colt would move heaven and earth to bring her back. And when he did, there would be hell to pay for anyone who had dared lay a hand on her.