Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

COLT

C olt gripped the steering wheel of the truck, his knuckles white as the engine roared beneath the hood. The landscape blurred past, but all he could think about was Briar—his mate—out there, alone and in danger. The bond between them pulsed at the edge of his mind, faint but persistent, and he kept reaching for her through it, desperate for any sign that she was okay.

‘Hold on, sweetheart. I'm coming.'

He floored the gas pedal, the tires skimming over the dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust and gravel behind him. His wolf paced restlessly within his mind, snarling and growling, eager to break free and run. He'd driven as far as he could, but the dense forest up ahead meant the truck couldn't take him any closer.

He slammed on the brakes as the road narrowed and then petered out completely. He skidded to a stop at the edge of the wooded area. Colt threw the door open and stepped out, his boots hitting the dirt with purpose. Every second wasted felt like a knife twisting in his gut.

The wind rustled through the leaves, carrying the sharp scent of pine and earth—familiar scents that normally grounded him but now only heightened his tension. His senses were on high alert, every instinct screaming at him to move faster. The bond between him and Briar tugged at his mind, a thread stretched thin but still intact.

He could feel her fear—sharp and jagged—mingled with anger and defiance. She was holding her own, but for how long? And every now and then, he felt a pulse of magic ripple through the bond, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. She was fighting, trying to escape.

"Not without me, you're not," Colt growled under his breath.

His wolf surged forward, eager to be let out. With a deep breath, Colt gave in to the change. It hit him like lightning—a swirling rush of energy and mist filled with thunder, lightning, and a blaze of color. It enveloped and consumed him as he felt the shift take over.

In the blink of an eye, Colt stood in his wolf form—a massive black beast with glowing amber eyes, his fur rippling with power. The scents around him sharpened instantly, every sound more vivid and distinct. The breeze carried traces of Briar's scent—lavender and earth, faint but unmistakable.

She's close.

With a powerful leap, Colt surged into the woods, his paws thudding against the soft earth in a relentless rhythm. The trees blurred past him as he ran, his senses focused solely on one thing: getting to Briar before it was too late. His muscles bunched and released in perfect synchrony, propelling him forward with breathtaking speed.

The bond between them pulsed again, and Colt reached out to her, sending waves of reassurance through the link.

I'm coming, Briar. Stay strong, sweetheart. I'm almost there.

He could feel her agitation rising, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of fear and frustration. She wasn't safe—he could feel that much. She was scared, but beneath that fear was a fierce force of will. She wasn't giving up.

Colt pushed himself harder, the wind slicing through his fur as he dodged fallen branches and leapt over rocks. The woodland opened up before him, every scent, sound, and shift in the air guiding his path. He knew the pack wouldn't be far behind—Landon, Bryce, and the others were running patrols, closing the distance between them. But Colt didn't wait for them.

This was his fight. His mate.

The bond flickered again, and Colt could feel Briar's heart racing, her breathing labored. A fresh surge of magic rippled through the link, making Colt's hackles rise. She was trying to defend herself, but it wasn't enough—he could sense the growing danger closing in on her.

I'm with you, Briar. I'll find you. Just hold on.

He veered sharply to the left, following the faint trail of her scent. The trees thickened, branches snagging at his fur as he raced through the underbrush. His paws barely touched the ground as he pushed himself harder, faster. Time felt like an enemy—each second that passed was another chance for something to go wrong.

I'm close, Briar. I'm almost there.

Her emotions flared in response—relief mingled with desperation. She knew he was coming, but there was a rising urgency in her mind, a silent plea for him to hurry. Colt wasn't going to stop until he had her back in his arms.

Colt's paws pounded against the forest floor, his muscles coiling and releasing in perfect rhythm. The cool night air whipped through his fur, carrying the scents of pine, damp earth, and something darker—magic. The pulse of his bond with Briar grew stronger as he raced toward her, a lifeline drawing him through the dense woods.

He could feel her emotions—panic edged with a bold ferocity—and it spurred him on, pushing him to run faster, harder. His heart thundered in his chest, and his wolf snarled in frustration, desperate to reach her.

Hold on, sweetheart, Colt thought fiercely, reaching out through their bond. I'm almost there. Just a little longer.

With a powerful leap, he surged forward, the fading light casting long shadows around him. The pack would follow, but Colt would be the one to find her. His wolf howled, the sound echoing through the trees, carrying a promise only Briar could hear.

I'm coming, sweetheart. I won't let them take you from me.

Then, through the thread of their connection, her voice flickered into his mind, faint but clear.

Colt... I hear them. They're coming. My coven... They're almost here.

His chest tightened with a mixture of rage and fear. They were closing in on her. Time was running out. Shift, Briar! Colt urged through the link, his voice rough and commanding. You're not helpless. Call your wolf. Let her take over.

There was a brief pause—an instant of hesitation—and Colt's heart stuttered. Then he felt it: realization, followed by a flicker of readiness from her end of the bond.

I forgot... Briar's thought came through, tinged with annoyance. They are not going to like this. She sounded almost gleeful .

He could sense as she shifted, the moment she remembered that she was no longer just a witch but a she-wolf, as well—a powerful, primal force waiting to be unleashed.

Through their connection, Colt felt Briar calling forth her wolf. It responded immediately, snarling in readiness, coiling within her, eager to break free. He could feel her wolf surge to the surface, her presence wild and fierce.

That's it, sweetheart. Bring her forward. Let her out.

Colt felt a measure of pride along with her relief. Colt howled, the sound echoing through the trees, and was rewarded by his mate's answer.

Colt's paws barely touched the ground as he hurtled toward the clearing where she waited. Every muscle in his body burned with exertion, but he didn't slow down. Not when he could feel Briar's magic and her wolf rising to meet the danger that was closing in on her.

He burst through the last line of trees just as Briar's coven arrived, their dark figures slipping into the clearing like wraiths. But what they found waiting for them wasn't the helpless woman they'd expected.

A powerful she-wolf waited, but worse than that, a she-wolf with magic.

Briar stood at the center of the clearing, her sleek fur glinting in the moonlight, her eyes glowing with a mix of fury and power. The broken remnants of the ropes lay scattered by a tree. Her lips pulled back in a feral snarl, revealing sharp teeth. The men stumbled to a halt, startled by the sight before them.

Colt bounded into the clearing beside her with a low, menacing growl that rumbled through his chest like distant thunder. His large black form loomed beside Briar's smaller but equally fierce one, and together they stood shoulder to shoulder, united against their enemies.

The coven members froze, their surprise evident. They hadn't expected this. They'd come for a witch—but they found a she-wolf. And not just any wolf. A wolf bonded to an alpha.

Colt's glowing amber eyes locked onto the men, his lips curling in a silent snarl. His growl deepened, vibrating through the ground beneath their feet. He could smell their unease, their sudden doubt. Good. Let them realize their mistake. Let them see just how badly they'd miscalculated.

Briar's wolf let out a sharp snarl, a warning that sent a ripple of tension through the air. Her magic shimmered faintly around her, a reminder of the witch she had once been—and still was. The combination of wolf and witch was something these men hadn't prepared for.

Colt took a step forward, his muscles taut and ready, his gaze never leaving the men. If they made a single move toward Briar, he would tear them apart without hesitation.

The men exchanged nervous glances, clearly thrown off balance. One of them raised a hand, muttering a low incantation under his breath, but Colt's snarl cut through the air, sharp and commanding. The man faltered, his magic fizzling out before it could take hold.

Not today, bastard, Colt thought grimly.

Beside him, Briar growled softly, her body tense and poised to strike. The bond between them thrummed with shared purpose. They were in this together, and there wasn't a force in the world that would take her from him.

The coven hesitated, their fear growing with every passing moment. They had expected an easy victory. They'd expected to take Briar without a fight. Instead, they stood before an alpha wolf and his mate, a force they hadn't accounted for.

Colt's wolf bristled with satisfaction at their fear, but his focus remained sharp. He wasn't just here to intimidate. He was here to protect. To end this.

Stay close, Colt told Briar through the bond.

She gave a low rumble of agreement, her wolf fully in sync with his. And together, they waited, muscles coiled, ready to unleash hell at the slightest provocation.

The coven had no idea what they were dealing with. And Colt was more than willing to show them just how big of a mistake they'd made. Beside him, Briar's wolf was sleek and powerful, her green eyes glowing with a strange, beautiful light that spoke of her dual nature—witch and wolf. She wasn't just any she-wolf. She was his she-wolf, his mate. And she wasn't running.

The coven's leader, a gaunt man with cruel eyes, stepped forward, muttering incantations under his breath. Power flickered in the air like static electricity, and Colt's muscles tensed. He prepared to lunge, but before he could move, Briar did something that made him freeze in awe.

She reached deep into the earth beneath their paws, her magic thrumming through the ground like a heartbeat. Colt could feel it—an ancient power stirring to life at her command, wild and untamed. Vines slithered up from the soil, twisting around the legs of the witches with startling speed, pulling tight and anchoring them in place.

Colt's wolf huffed in approval, but Briar wasn't finished. The soft earth beneath the coven members began to shift, and suddenly, thin tendrils of iron, glinting darkly in the moonlight, rose from the soil.

The witches cried out in alarm as the iron wrapped around their wrists and throats like chains. The metal wasn't strong—it wouldn't bind them for long—but it was enough to dampen their magic, weakening them just enough to tip the scales in Briar and Colt's favor.

Colt's lips pulled back in a satisfied snarl as the coven members struggled against the iron tendrils. They hadn't expected this—they hadn't counted on Briar being more than the witch they once knew.

The gaunt leader tried to cast another spell, but the iron clamped tighter around his hands, cutting off his power. His voice faltered, panic flashing in his eyes as he realized they had been surrounded by the rest of the pack, who stood in silent witness and would move in if needed. For now, they were content to watch their alpha and his mate deal with this threat.

Briar prowled forward, her wolf moving with deadly grace. She gave a low growl, and the vines responded instantly, tightening their grip until the witches gasped for breath.

You've lost, Briar's voice echoed through Colt's mind, directed at the intruders but voiced in a way that both he and her pack could hear. Her pack; they had come not just to back Colt, but to be there for her. She could feel their warmth and support settling around her. She had a pack.

The leader's defiance crumbled. He gave a frantic glance toward his remaining men, but there was no saving them. Briar's magic, combined with her wolf's relentless power, had them trapped.

One of the witches lunged, hoping to catch Briar off guard. Colt didn't hesitate. With a savage snarl, he sprang forward, his teeth flashing in the moonlight as they closed around the man's throat. The witch barely had time to scream before Colt's powerful jaws snapped shut, the witch's neck severed with a sickening crunch.

The leader stumbled back in horror as another witch—desperate and cornered—tried to attack Briar. But her wolf was faster. She leapt at the man, her claws raking across his neck in a clean, brutal arc. His throat torn open, the witch crumpled, lifeless, to the ground.

The remaining members of the coven stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. They knew they were beaten.

"Enough!" the gaunt leader rasped, his voice hoarse with terror. "We surrender. Call off the wolves."

Briar's growl was low and menacing, vibrating through the clearing. Colt gave a sharp nod, and together they stood as a united front—alpha and mate, wolf and witch, unstoppable. The surviving witches slumped in defeat, knowing that they had lost more than just the battle. They had lost her .

Briar's vines loosened slightly, though the iron remained coiled around the coven members as a warning. Colt prowled closer, his amber eyes locked on the leader as he shifted back.

"If you ever come for her again," Colt growled, his voice thick with menace, "you won't live to regret it. I will hunt you to the ends of the earth to keep my mate safe."

The man's pale eyes flickered with fear, and he gave a shaky nod. "We won't. You have my word."

"I don't give a damn about your word," snarled Colt. "If I see you again, I'll have your life."

Colt glanced toward Briar. She met his gaze with a steady look, her wolf glowing with fierce satisfaction. Together, they had ended this. Together, they had won.

Briar shifted beside him, the swirling mist surrounding her as she returned to her human form. She raised her hands and both iron and vine retreated into the earth. The remaining witches stumbled to their feet, retreating into the shadows of the woods, humiliated and defeated. Colt watched them go, his body still vibrating with tension, but the moment they disappeared from sight, a wave of relief crashed over him.

Briar swayed slightly, and Colt reached for her, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. "You okay?" he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She gave him a tired but triumphant smile. "I am now."

Colt pulled her into his arms, his heart pounding gratefully—a gratitude that she was here, that she was safe, and that they had won.

"You were incredible," Colt whispered into her hair. "I knew you had it in you."

Briar chuckled softly, leaning into him. "I had a good teacher."

Colt pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're more than I ever imagined, Briar. My wolf..." He paused, his voice rough with emotion. "My wolf has never been happier."

Briar looked up at him, her green eyes soft and full of love. "Neither have I," she whispered.

Colt's arms tightened around her. This was everything he'd ever wanted and more. He tilted her chin up and kissed her, slow and deep, pouring every ounce of love into the kiss. Briar melted against him, her arms winding around his neck as the world faded away.

When they finally pulled apart, Colt rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the cool air of the approaching evening. "Let's go home," he murmured.

Briar smiled, a soft, contented smile that made Colt's heart soar. "Home," she echoed, and the word felt like a promise—a promise of everything they would build together.

They shifted again, their wolves falling into step beside each other as they trotted back toward the truck. The moon hung high above them, casting its silver light over the forest as they ran side by side, their hearts beating in perfect harmony. Colt knew this was their happily ever after—the life they would build together. And nothing—not witches, not covens, not even the forces of fate—would ever tear them apart.

LANDON

T he sun dipped low over the rolling hills of Copper Canyon Ranch, setting the sky ablaze with streaks of orange and gold. Landon Savage sat astride his four-wheeler, one arm resting lazily over the handlebars, his cowboy hat tugged low over his eyes. The scent of sun-warmed grass and earth filled the air, but something buzzed under his skin—restlessness, like a storm on the horizon. His wolf stirred, agitated and eager, as if sensing a change in the wind.

He tugged a piece of red licorice from his pocket, biting off the end and chewing slowly, savoring the sweetness. Some guys preferred tobacco, but not Landon. Licorice was his thing—something about the mix of sweet and bitter suited him just fine. His gaze swept over the endless prairie, the landscape familiar and comforting... until he saw it.

A figure in the distance.

Landon squinted, tilting his head as curiosity sparked to life. A woman, walking alone near the southern fence line, the wind pulling at her clothes and whipping her dark hair around her face. She wasn't from the ranch. That much he knew. And that made her all the more intriguing—and a little concerning.

What's she doing out here?

His wolf perked up, ears metaphorically pricking. There was something about her—a pull, subtle but insistent—that made him sit up straighter. Without hesitation, Landon started the four-wheeler, the engine growling to life beneath him. With a flick of his wrist, he sped toward her, the prairie grass parting under the tires as he raced across the open land.

The closer he got, the stronger that strange pull became—a magnetic tug he couldn't quite explain, but it made his pulse quicken. She was different. His wolf felt it, too, pacing inside him, restless and curious. It wasn't often that strangers wandered this far out on their own, and Landon had a gut feeling that this encounter would change something for him, maybe everything.

He cut the engine a few yards away, hopping off the four-wheeler in one smooth motion. As his boots hit the ground, the woman turned toward him, her sharp green eyes locking onto his. Something crackled in the air between them—electric, unsettling, and utterly captivating.

Her gaze was guarded, her posture tense, as if she were sizing him up. But Landon noticed the flicker of something else beneath that sharp exterior. Vulnerability. Wounded pride. And something that made his wolf want to circle her, sniff the air, and stay close.

"Afternoon," Landon called, tipping his hat with an easy grin. "Didn't expect to find anyone out this far. You lost or just sightseeing?"

The woman arched a brow, folding her arms across her chest. "A little of both, I guess. Sightseeing mostly."

Landon scanned the area. There was no vehicle, no horse. Nothing. "How'd you get here?"

She shrugged and scanned the area just as he had. "I walked."

It was an answer… sort of. Her voice was smooth but edged with weariness, as though life had worn her down but hadn't broken her. Landon liked that. Liked the way she stood tall, even though her shoulders seemed to be bearing a whole lot more than they should.

He leaned casually against the four-wheeler, pretending to be relaxed, but every sense was on high alert, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. "You new around here?" He knew it was lame, but it was all he could think of to keep her from straying.

She nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, and Landon's gaze tracked the movement, noting the way her fingers trembled slightly. "Yeah. Just got in this morning."

"Welcome to Savage land," he said, his grin widening. "Name's Landon."

Her lips twitched—just the barest hint of a smile—but it was enough to make Landon's pulse jump. "Dakota."

There it was again—that pull. It wasn't just attraction, though the heat simmering between them was undeniable. It was deeper, instinctual. His wolf stirred, sniffing the air, intrigued by her scent. She smelled like cedarwood and something warm, like rain as it hit the dry earth.

"So, Dakota," he said, rocking back on his heels, "what brings you all the way out here to the middle of nowhere?"

She hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground for a moment before answering. "Needed a change of scenery."

Landon tilted his head, his grin softening. "Scenery, huh? Sounds like you've had a rough go of it."

Dakota let out a small, humorless laugh—low and bitter, as though she'd been holding it in for a while. "That's one way to put it."

He didn't push. Not yet. Instead, he nodded toward the expanse of land behind them. "Well, you've come to the right place. Not much out here but grass, horses, cows, and a whole lot of sky."

"Good," Dakota murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's exactly what I was looking for."

Landon's wolf rumbled in approval, sensing something in her—something wild and untethered, just like him. She was trouble, no doubt about it. The best kind of trouble. And for the first time in a long while, Landon felt the flicker of possibility stir in his chest.

"You need a lift?" he asked, nodding toward the four-wheeler. "Unless you're planning to camp out here for the night."

Dakota's lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. "And if I was?"

Landon's grin turned wicked, a spark of challenge lighting his eyes. "Then I'd say you've got guts. It'll get cold once the sun goes down and we're home to a lot of critters that might see you as a tasty snack."

Her eyes narrowed, "And you?"

"I'd have to agree with them."

His blatant teasing threw her for a moment and then her smile widened just enough to make Landon's pulse kick. Damn, she was beautiful. And fierce. The kind of woman who could run circles around a man if he wasn't careful.

"Then maybe I'd better take that ride," Dakota said, brushing off her jeans. "But no funny business, cowboy."

Landon chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Scout's honor."

Dakota laughed as she climbed onto the four-wheeler behind him, her hands sliding around his waist. The heat of her touch burned through his shirt like a brand. Landon sucked in a breath, his wolf stirring at the contact, hungry for more.

The engine roared to life, and they took off across the prairie, the wind whipping around them as the ranch stretched out ahead. Her hands stayed on his sides, light but steady, and Landon felt every inch of that connection like a live wire running through his veins.

With every mile that passed, the pull between them grew stronger. Landon didn't know what it was—didn't have the words for it—but he knew one thing for sure: Dakota was no ordinary woman. She was a storm rolling in, fierce and unpredictable, and he had no intention of letting her pass by without seeing where this might go.

When they reached the edge of the ranch, Landon cut the engine and glanced over his shoulder, his grin lazy but full of promise. "You ever ridden a horse?"

Dakota arched a brow, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Once or twice."

"Well," Landon drawled, his voice low and rough, "stick around long enough, and I'll show you how it's really done."

Her laugh was light and genuine this time, and Landon's heart did a strange little flip inside his chest.

"I might just take you up on that," Dakota said, her voice laced with challenge.

Landon grinned, his wolf howling in approval. Yeah, this woman was trouble. The kind of trouble that upended a man's world and left him craving more.

And damn if Landon Savage wasn't ready for every wild, unpredictable second of it.

L andon Savage and the rest of those at the Copper Canyon Ranch will be back with Alpha's Promise .

Ready to find out how Landon fares? Click here to grab Alpha's Promise.

He's the enigmatic middle brother. She's a woman on the run. Until an explosive attraction and a hidden secret will change everything.

In the untamed wilderness of Copper Canyon, Landon Savage thrives on the freedom of the open range and the thrill of the unknown. As the charismatic middle brother of the Savage wolf pack, he's never been one to settle down—until a mysterious woman appears on the horizon of his family ranch.

Dakota is a woman on the run from a past that shattered her trust and stole her dreams. Seeking solace, she never expected to find it among the rolling hills and under the vast skies of Copper Canyon ranch. Nor did she anticipate the magnetic pull toward the enigmatic cowboy who offers her a place to heal.

However, between pack members being wary of her and the arrivalof danger from her past, Dakota's new beginning is under threat. As passion blazes between them under silver moonlight, Landon vows to protect her at any cost—even if it means confronting his own fears and challenging his pack.

Alpha's Promise is the spellbinding second book in the Copper Canyon Shifters series. Immerse yourself in this exciting tale of love, courage and secrets.