Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

LANDON

H e rolled from Dakota’s body, pulling her close and listening as their breath returned to normal.

“That was intense,” she sighed.

Landon chuckled. “One thing about being wolf is that all your senses are far more acute.”

“What else?”

“You age less quickly, your enhanced metabolism not only gives you better health, but you can pretty much eat what you want and maintain your weight. And you can shift from human.”

She sat up, looking down at him. “Can we do it again? The run?”

He grinned. The cool night air was heavy with anticipation and a kind of magic. The full moon bathed the hills in a silvery light, illuminating Dakota’s tense form as they made their way outside and beyond the main compound. Her arms were crossed as she stood beside him, her eyes fixed on the horizon, but the uncertainty radiating from her was impossible to miss.

He laughed. He could feel her eagerness to embrace this new part of herself. He knew this was uncharted territory for her—hell, it was for him too. But the primal urge to run with his mate couldn’t be ignored and urged him onward.

She drew a deep breath, and the two of them removed their clothes and moved into the open field, the tall grass swaying in the breeze. The moment felt electric, as if the world itself held its breath.

Landon closed his eyes, centering himself, calling to the wolf within. The shift had always come naturally to him—a seamless merging of his two halves. But tonight, something felt different. The usual spark of transformation ignited with an intensity that made his skin hum.

Beside him, Dakota gasped. He opened his eyes to see her enveloped in a swirling mist that rolled up from the ground, charged with streaks of lightning and shards of color that danced through the air. The mist crackled with life, wrapping around her as if recognizing her for the first time.

Landon’s own shift began, the mist rising to engulf him as well. Thunder rumbled overhead and within the maelstrom itself, vibrating through his core, and the world seemed to tilt. This wasn’t like any shift he’d experienced before. The energy coursing through him was wild, untamed, and far stronger than he’d ever felt. The mist grew denser, obscuring everything around him until there was nothing but the storm of light and sound.

When the mist finally dissipated, Landon shook himself, his senses sharper than ever. The ground beneath his paws felt different—more solid, more alive. He turned to look at Dakota and froze.

He still had trouble accepting that she was no ordinary she-wolf. She was massive, her dark fur gleaming with a faint silver sheen under the moonlight. Her golden eyes, wide with wonder, were filled with both fear and exhilaration. She was stunning.

Landon shook his head. His mate was a dire wolf. And then, with a jolt, he felt the change in himself. When he shifted, his body was larger, his muscles more powerful, his fur thicker. He moved, testing his limbs, and the truth settled in his chest. Her DNA—her ancient lineage—had rewritten his own. He wasn’t just a wolf anymore. He was a dire wolf too.

Dakota’s gaze locked with his, and he saw the questions swirling in her eyes. But there was no fear, only awe and a growing confidence that she hadn’t had before. He stepped toward her, nuzzling her gently, and she let out a soft, experimental growl in response.

Then, without warning, Dakota bolted. She took off across the pasture, her powerful legs propelling her forward with a grace and speed that took Landon’s breath away. He didn’t hesitate, chasing after her, the wind rushing past him as his paws pounded the earth.

They ran together through the hills of the ranch, weaving through the pastures and leaping over fences with ease. The night came alive around them—the rustle of leaves, the calls of nocturnal animals, the scent of wildflowers carried on the breeze. Landon felt freer than he ever had, his bond with Dakota humming like a living thing between them.

When they finally slowed, coming to a stop on a hill overlooking the ranch, Dakota turned to him, her golden eyes glowing. She let out a low, triumphant howl that echoed into the night, and Landon joined her, their voices blending in a song that spoke of discovery, of freedom, and of a bond that would never be broken.

And though he didn’t understand the full implications of their union, he knew one thing for certain—they belonged to each other, now and forever, come what may. They returned to where they’d started, shifted back and redressed.

"Whatever our destiny holds," she breathed as they walked back to the main house with their arms wrapped around one another, "we'll face it as one."

The Copper Canyon sun dipped low, bathing the sprawling ranch in a dusky glow that set the horizon aflame. Landon leaned against the weathered fence, his gaze fixed on the stirring silhouette of Dakota as she approached, her dark hair blowing in the evening breeze like a living shadow.

"Got something on your mind?" Dakota asked, her voice a melodic whisper blending with the rustling of the tall grasses.

"A lot of somethings," Landon replied, his lips curving into a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. The air between them crackled with an electric charge, the kind that had been building since the day she stumbled into his world—fierce, untamed, and utterly intoxicating.

"Any of them wedding plans?" she asked, breaking the silence that wrapped around them like a thick blanket. Her eyes held a spark of excitement, but it was the undercurrent of uncertainty that tugged at him. “Briar and Etta are pushing for sooner rather than later.”

"Ah, yes," he drawled, pushing off the fence to close the distance between them. "A celebration of us, here where the wild things roam."

Her laughter, rich and soulful, resonated in the quiet expanse. She laid a gentle hand on his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heart beneath her palm. "Briar and Etta are already conspiring. They've got ideas about flowers and music..."

"Let 'em plan," Landon interrupted, his hands finding her waist to pull her closer. The warmth of her body seeped into his, a silent reminder of their bond. "As long as I get you at the end of the aisle, you and they can orchestrate a circus for all I care."

Dakota's grin faded as memories clawed their way to the surface, darkening her eyes. "I gave my deposition today," she whispered, a shiver passing through her despite the lingering heat of the day.

Landon's embrace tightened protectively. "And?"

"And it's done. All the ugly truths laid bare." Her voice was steady, but the haunted look in her eyes betrayed the pain of reliving her past. "The attorney is confident it'll be enough to strip him of any control over my inheritance. He also found out about the embezzlement."

"Good," Landon growled, the word tasting like ash on his tongue. His instinct to shield her from any more harm roared to life, as fierce as the wolves that prowled the canyon at night. “If you like, I can go back to Cimarron Mesa and rip his throat out.”

Dakota shook her head. He knew she thought he was joking… he wasn’t. Every time he thought about what that bastard of an ex had put her through, he wanted to kidnap him, take him to the desert and use him for hunting practice with the pack. Instead, Dakota wrapped her arms around him as they stood together, two souls entwined by fate and fire, shadows lengthening around them as nightfall crept closer. The danger that once seemed so distant now lurked just beyond the edges of the ranch, a threat amidst their escalating love.

"Everything's changing, isn't it?" Dakota murmured, leaning into his chest.

"Change can be good," Landon reassured, his breath warm against her ear. "We'll ride it out together. You and me and the pack, against whatever comes. Those of us at Copper Canyon have never lost a fight, and we’re not about to start."

They walked back to the ranch and joined the others for dinner. Afterwards, they slipped up the stairs to their room. With the darkening night came a sense of serenity, a brief respite from the storm they both knew was brewing on the horizon. But for tonight, tucked into their room, they allowed themselves the luxury of dreams spoken in hushed tones and the tender caress of hands vowing to hold on through whatever darkness lay ahead.

The bell above the diner door chimed a farewell that echoed in Landon's chest as Dakota handed in her two weeks’ notice to the owner of the diner, that small act insignificant compared to the weighty decision it represented. The clatter of plates and hum of quiet conversation provided a mundane soundtrack to what felt like the closing of a chapter.

"Sweetheart, I always knew you weren't meant to sling hash here forever," the diner's owner said, her voice tinged with sadness that couldn't quite mask her pride. She reached across the counter, enveloping Dakota's hand with her own, worn from years of hard work and honest living.

Dakota offered a half-smile, the blue in her eyes swirling like storm clouds promising rain. "You've been more than just a boss, and I will always be grateful. Besides, I plan to work out my two weeks, and even after that, it’s not like I won’t be around."

Landon stood by the entrance, his presence silent but solid, watching the exchange. The knowledge that Dakota was stepping away from the last remnant of her old life to fully embrace their shared future sent a thrill through him, warm as the whiskey they'd sip on cool Texas evenings.

"Go on, kiddo. Make your mark on this world," her boss nodded towards Landon. “He’s a good man.” Her affection for Dakota was as clear as the open skies above.

As they left the diner, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows that stretched out before them like a path leading into the unknown. Landon's hand found Dakota's, their fingers intertwining easily, naturally, as if they had always been meant to fit together.

The anticipation of the call from Landon's lawyer hung in the air between them as they walked back to the ranch. The dusky light wrapped around them, the world hushed and expectant.

And then, as the sun gave up its control of the day, his phone vibrated against his hip. Landon answered, his voice steady despite the hammering of his heart.

"Is that so?" he asked, the corner of his mouth lifting when the attorney confirmed the news. "Yeah, she's right here."

He passed the phone to Dakota, his gaze never leaving her face as she listened, the flickering emotions there more compelling than any wildfire.

"Thank you," Dakota whispered into the receiver, her voice a blend of disbelief and triumph. "We'll be in touch about the next steps."

She ended the call and looked up at Landon, her eyes reflecting the dying light and the fiery determination that had brought her this far. "It's done. He's been removed. I'm finally free."

"Truly free," Landon affirmed, his voice low and resonant.

They embraced, the warmth of her body seeping into his, a silent testament to the fact that they were stronger together than apart. The electric connection between them sparked, igniting a flame that neither darkness nor distance could extinguish.

"Let's go home, cowboy," Dakota said, her lips curving in a seductive smile that held both invitation and challenge.

"Lead the way, darlin'," he replied, his hand resting at the small of her back, guiding her forward into a future where the specters of the past no longer cast their long shadows.

Landon watched Dakota move with an effortless grace around the sprawling ranch kitchen, her dark hair tied back in a loose ponytail that swayed with each step. The setting sun spilled its last golden rays through the window, casting a warm glow on her face as she discussed plans with Etta and Briar.

"Okay, so we'll need enough steaks for the pack—what do you think, forty? Fifty?" Dakota's voice had that commanding lilt, a remnant of her past life where she'd been forced to take charge or fall behind.

"Better make it sixty," Briar chimed in, leaning against the counter with a grin. "You've seen how they can pack it away."

Etta nodded in agreement, her hands busy chopping vegetables. "Don't forget the vegetables—we'll need some grilled portobellos, peppers, onions, and other veggies, too."

The trio worked in harmony, their laughter and banter filling the room with an infectious energy. Landon couldn't help but admire Dakota's tenacity; she was not just planning a dinner, she was forging bonds, weaving herself into the fabric of their lives so seamlessly that it felt like she'd always been there.

As they discussed flavors and pairings, Dakota caught him staring and offered a sly smile. "What about drinks, cowboy? You think you can handle the bar?"

"Darlin', I'll wrangle up spirits finer than any saloon in Texas." The words rolled off his tongue, dipped in innuendo and promising much more than alcohol.

Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and he knew he'd hit the mark. He now knew the connection Colt shared with Briar and hoped Bryce would someday find the same. The air between him and Dakota was always charged with the arousal that seemed to hover like a storm cloud ready to burst.

"Good," she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying the wildfire within. "Because I want this night to be unforgettable."

"Unforgettable it will be," Landon vowed, not just for the pack, but for them—a celebration of new beginnings and the shedding of old fears.

The sound of boots on hardwood announced the arrival of other pack members, offering their help. A burly man named Hank volunteered for fireworks duty, while others brought forward crates of fresh produce and meat. They moved with purpose, a community coming together not out of obligation, but out of genuine respect and affection for Dakota.

"Seems you've got yourself a following," Landon remarked, observing the scene unfold.

Dakota glanced around, her eyes reflecting a mix of pride and humility. "I didn't expect... I mean, thank you, all of you."

"Hey, you're one of us now," Hank replied, his gruff voice softened by sincerity. "And when one of us wins, we all celebrate."

As the evening wore on, the preparations took shape. Tables were set under the open sky, strings of lights woven through the trees, and the scent of mesquite began to fill the air. Dakota stood beside Landon, her hand finding his, their fingers entwining naturally.

"Tonight is just the beginning," she whispered, leaning into him. The heat of her body seeped into his skin, sparking that familiar current that ran deep and true.

"Of forever," he finished, pulling her closer.

Their lips met in a kiss that held the promise of the night ahead—a night filled with laughter and camaraderie, with the pop and fizz of fireworks echoing their own combustible connection. As the first star blinked into existence overhead, Landon knew without a doubt that whatever darkness lurked at the edges of their world, it would not prevail. The love she shared with Landon was an unbreakable light against the encroaching shadows.