Page 41 of Alpha's Claim
“She’s dangerous,” Landon added quietly, watching his brother closely. “If she finds a way back, I don’t think it’ll just be to make trouble. She’s desperate, Colt. And desperate people…” He trailed off, his meaning clear.
Colt pushed off the desk, pacing slowly to the window that overlooked the barnyard. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, every muscle in his body coiled tight. He couldn’t let Elle—or anyone else—threaten what he was building with Briar.
His wolf rumbled inside him, demanding action. Protect. Defend. Keep her safe.
“Tell the patrols to keep an eye out for Elle,” Colt said, his voice low and full of quiet authority. “I don’t want her setting one damn foot near this ranch. If she so much as sniffs around, I want to know about it. If she shows up, lock her up and call Cameron Nichols.”
Landon nodded, his expression grim. “Consider it done. I’ve already told Bryce to keep our guys sharp.”
Colt turned from the window, his dark eyes hard as iron. “Good. I don’t want Briar upset by this. She’s been through enough already.”
Landon tipped his hat toward Colt in acknowledgment. “You got it, brother. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”
For a moment, the two brothers stood in comfortable silence, the significance of their unspoken bond filling the space between them. Landon knew as well as anyone just how deeply Colt cared for Briar. And Colt trusted Landon to do what needed to be done.
But still, unease gnawed at Colt’s gut. He had seen what obsession could do to a person, how it twisted them up inside and made them unpredictable. Elle wasn’t just some spurned woman—she was a threat.
And Colt didn’t take kindly to threats.
“Anything else you need from me?” Landon asked, his gaze sharp and knowing.
Colt shook his head, his jaw tight. “No. Just keep her away from here. I don’t care how you do it.”
Landon gave a short nod, then turned toward the door. “We’ll keep things locked down. You just keep an eye on Briar.”
Colt grunted in agreement, watching as his brother disappeared down the hall. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Colt alone with his thoughts.
He ran a hand through his hair, looked at his hand, and chuckled softly. How many times had he seen Bryce or Landon do the same? Exhaling slowly, he reined in his anger and concern. Elle was gone—for now—but the problem still lingered in the back of his mind, another dark cloud on the horizon; only this time he feared the storm of which it foretold might prove catastrophic for all of them.
Shaking off the unease, Colt headed for the porch, where Briar was waiting for him. She was his mate, his future, and hewasn’t about to let anyone—especially not Elle—get in the way of that.
When Colt stepped out onto the porch, the sight of Briar waiting for him at the small table sent a wave of warmth rushing through him. She looked up from her glass of sweet tea, a soft smile curving her lips.
“There you are,” she said, her voice light. “Thought you might’ve gotten lost.”
Colt chuckled as he joined her, sitting down across from her at the table. “Had to take care of a few things.” He reached across the table, brushing his thumb over the back of her hand. “But I’m here now.”
Briar’s smile widened, the tension that had been lingering between them earlier melting away. “Good. I was starting to think you’d forgotten about our lunch.”
“Never.” Colt’s voice was low and full of meaning. Having lunch on the porch together had become something of a habit. Communal eating was important in pack dynamics, but lunch with his mate was one of his truly selfish acts.
They ate in comfortable silence, the soft rustle of the breeze and the distant sounds of the ranch filling the air. Colt watched Briar as she sipped her tea, her green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. She looked peaceful, content. And that was all Colt wanted for her.
As they finished their meal, Colt leaned back in his chair, his expression softening. “I wanted to let you know,” he began, “Elle’s been taken to Dallas. Landon saw her off personally.”
Briar arched a brow, setting her glass down. “And that’s the end of it?”
Colt nodded slowly. “It should be. But I told Landon to have the patrols keep an eye out, just in case. I don’t want her coming back here and stirring up more trouble.”
Briar’s lips pressed into a thoughtful line. “I still don’t like the idea of sending her to another pack. It feels... wrong.”
Colt reached for her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers. “It’s not about forcing her into anything, sweetheart. If she stays gone, she’s free to do whatever she wants. But if she comes back here…” His voice hardened, a protective growl rumbling beneath the words. “Then it’s on her.”
Briar studied him for a moment, her expression softening. “I suppose you’re right.”
Colt gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “She made her choices, Briar. Now we make ours.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and Colt could feel the tension lifting and things seeming to fall back into place. With Briar at his side, everything felt... possible.