Page 23 of Alpha's Claim
Colt’s gaze shifted to him, his eyes narrowing. The man’s hands were bandaged, knuckles scabbed and swollen, and deep scratches ran along his forearms—scratches that could only come from someone fighting for their life.
A low, dangerous growl rumbled in Colt’s throat, barely audible but enough to satisfy his wolf, who recognized the scent of the predator before him. This man had hurt Briar. Colt kept his hands from curling into fists, kept himself from tearing the man limb from limb, but he kept his expression locked down tight. No sense in starting a fight—yet.
Mark took a step closer, his smile thin and oily. “We just need a look around. Won’t take long. Outbuildings, grounds… just to be thorough. If she’s not here, there’s no harm, right?”
Colt shook his head, towering over the men with his broad shoulders and steady presence. His voice dropped into a low rumble, the kind that sent most men scurrying. “This is my land. My home. And no one searches it without my permission.” He took a step closer, looming over Mark and the others, “and you don’t have my permission.”
The man with the scratched arms shifted uneasily, his gaze darting around the office. Mark’s smile slipped, replaced by something harder, meaner.
“You sure about that?” Mark muttered.
Colt gave a slow, deliberate nod. “Very sure. Now get off my property.”
Mark held his gaze for a long moment, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Mark took a deep breath and pulled a business card from his pocket and set it on the desk.
“In case you change your mind,” he said smoothly. “Or if she turns up.”
Colt didn’t touch the card. His gaze stayed locked on the men, cold and unyielding. “Don’t come back.”
The strangers muttered among themselves as they backed out of the room, their fancy shoes scuffing against the floorboards. Colt didn’t move until they were gone, the door clicking shut behind them. Only then did he let out a slow breath, his jaw tight with anger.
He crossed to the window and watched as the three men climbed into a slick SUV, muttering and throwing suspicious glances back toward the house. The SUV’s engine roared to life, and the tires kicked up a cloud of dust as it peeled down the dirt road.
Colt rubbed a hand over his jaw, his mind churning. He needed answers—needed to know who these men were and what they wanted with Briar. But one thing was clear: they weren’t going to give up easily.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Landon first. His brother answered on the second ring. “What’s up?”
“Need you and Bryce in my office,” Colt said curtly. “Now.”
By the time Colt set the phone down, Landon and Bryce were already on their way, moving with the quiet efficiency of men who knew something was wrong. They arrived within minutes, their expressions serious as they stepped into the office.
“What happened?” Landon asked, closing the door behind him.
Colt leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “Had visitors just now. Looking for Briar.”
Bryce’s easy grin vanished in an instant. “What did they want?”
Colt told them everything—the photo, the request to search the property, the man with the scratched arms who all but admitted they knew Briar was here. When he finished, Bryce’s expression was hard, his playful demeanor gone.
“They hurt her, didn’t they?” Bryce growled. “That one with the scratches—he’s the bastard who did it.”
Colt gave a sharp nod. “Seems that way.”
Landon’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “What do you want us to do?”
“Post patrols,” Colt said, his voice steady. “We’re locking the ranch down. No one comes or goes without our say-so.”
Landon cracked his knuckles, his wolf already stirring beneath the surface. “I’ll shift and take a few of the boys. We’ll follow those assholes and see where they go.”
“Good,” Colt said. “Stay close, but don’t engage. I want to know everything—who they are, where they’re headed, and what they’re planning.”
Landon gave a sharp nod, already turning toward the door. “On it.”
Bryce crossed his arms, his gaze steady on Colt. “You gonna tell the pack at dinner?”
Colt nodded. “Yeah. They need to know we’re under a threat, even if it’s vague.”
Bryce gave a curt nod. “We’ll be ready.”