Page 32 of Alpha's Claim

“You’re not as surprised as I thought you’d be,” Colt murmured, his thumb tracing the curve of her bottom lip.

Briar blinked, a small, wry smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I’m a witch. I knew things like shifters existed. I just never thought I’d meet one.”

Colt chuckled, his wolf rumbling in approval. “Well, now you’ve met one,” he said softly, brushing a stray curl from her face. “And you’re mine.”

Her expression flickered—uncertainty mingling with something he couldn’t quite name. “You know... a witch and a shifter... it’s forbidden.”

Colt grinned, unbothered by her warning. “Good thing I don’t give a damn about rules.”

Her brows lifted, clearly caught off guard by his bluntness.

“As alpha,” he continued, his voice low and sure, “I make the rules. And anyone who doesn’t like it?” He gave a slow shrug, his grin widening. “They can be damned.”

The disbelief in her eyes was almost comical, but beneath it, Colt could see something else—something he’d been waiting for. A spark of acceptance, of surrender.

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against hers. “You’re my fated mate, Briar,” he whispered, the words rough with emotion. “And I’ll be claiming you.” He paused, his golden eyes steady on hers. “I’ll give you a little time to wrap your head around it, but not too much.”

Her breath hitched, and Colt felt the tension between them shift, crackling with a dangerous kind of energy.

“I mean it,” he murmured, his voice low and full of promise. “You’re mine. And I’m not waiting much longer.”

Briar stared at him, her green eyes wide, her lips slightly parted. For a moment, he thought she might argue—might try to push him away again.

But instead, she leaned forward, her arms wrapping around his neck as she kissed him. It wasn’t tentative or unsure—it was full of fire, of passion, of everything she hadn’t been able to say with words.

Colt groaned into the kiss, pulling her closer, his hands roaming over her curves with the kind of possessiveness that came from knowing she was his, and his alone. When they finally broke apart, Colt could feel his heart pounding as his wolf howled in triumph.

“Elle can wait,” Colt murmured, his voice a low growl. “Right now, it’s just you and me.”

He crawled up onto the bed beside her, scooping her up in his arms and cradling her against his chest like she belonged there—and she did. Briar let out a soft, breathless laugh, her hands clutching at his shoulders.

“You’re impossible,” she whispered, but there was no heat in her words—only affection.

“Maybe.” Colt grinned, his eyes dark with promise. “But I’m yours.”

And with that, he leaned down and kissed her, ready to show her just how serious he was.

Chapter

Thirteen

COLT

The early evening light slanted through the curtains of Colt’s bedroom, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. Briar lay curled against him, her breath soft and even against his chest. Colt ran his fingers lazily down her spine, savoring the warmth of her skin and the contentment that buzzed in his veins.

His wolf was satisfied—more than satisfied—settled for the first time in a long while. She was here, in his bed, and she was his.

But the longer he held her, the more the practical part of his mind began to stir. They needed to get up. Dinner was soon, and there were things that needed saying—important things. His brothers had to stop sniffing around Briar, for one. And everyone else needed to understand that Briar wasn’t just a guest or a fleeting interest. She was his mate.

Colt pressed a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the familiar lavender-and-earth scent that clung to her skin. “Come on, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice rough from sleep and lingering desire. “We need to get moving.”

Briar stirred, her body shifting languidly against his. “Mmm... five more minutes.”

Colt chuckled, the sound low and deep in his chest. “If we stay here for five more minutes, I’ll have you under me again.” His hand slid down to her hip, squeezing lightly to emphasize the point.

That got her attention. With a soft laugh, Briar rolled away and stretched, her limbs loose and unguarded. She gave him a sleepy smile, and something inside Colt tightened at the sight.

God, she was beautiful.