Page 42 of Alpha's Claim
“Come on,” Colt said, standing and pulling Briar to her feet. “How about you and I take a run? I’ve got the rest of the day, and I’d rather spend it with you than thinking about Elle.”
Briar laughed softly, the sound warming Colt’s heart. “I like the way you think, Savage.”
Colt laughed. “Any questions?”
“Etta explained it and said it’s fairly simple, although she did think you might have warned me about the whole my clothes will disappear thing.”
Colt shrugged. “What can I say, I like the way you looked naked.”
After showing her the communal shifting rooms, which were divided by gender, he let her take her time in shifting. When he started to get worried that she hadn’t come out, he knocked on the door. One of the other she-wolves walked out.
“Where’s Briar?” he asked. “Is she worried about the shifting process?”
The she-wolf laughed. “No Alpha, she shifted as if she’d been shifting all of her life. She already headed outside.”
BRIAR
The shift from human to wolf was exhilarating, terrifying, and freeing. As Etta had explained, her wolf had been in the corner of her mind and came willingly when she called her forward. There was a wonderful, delightful magic that wrapped around her as the swirling mist enveloped her. Once she was wholly wolf, she bounded outside, running in circles, chasing her tail. She had a tail and it felt as natural as not having one.
She ran around the barnyard, barking, yipping and even tried a small howl. The whole thing was so much fun, so unique and yet felt as if she’d always been a she-wolf. Perhaps she’d been born into the wrong species. She knew her magic flowed strongly within her, but she felt more free being a she-wolf.
Colt joined her outside, and they bounded out into the open grassland. The breeze ruffled Briar’s fur, carrying the fresh scents of pine, earth, and wildflowers. She leapt over a fallen log, her muscles rippling under her sleek coat as she chased after Colt. Her paws barely touched the ground as she ran, the pure joy of movement filling every part of her.
This was her first run as a wolf, and it was everything she’d hoped for—and more. Her senses were sharper, the world richer, and every sound, scent, and shift in the landscape hummed with meaning. She could feel the pulse of the earth beneath her paws, the rhythm of life that connected the pack to the land. It was exhilarating, intoxicating. She’d thought as a witch she was far more in touch with the earth itself than other humans, but this was so much more than that.
Ahead, Colt’s large black form streaked over and through the grasslands, his movements powerful and fluid. He glanced back over his shoulder, his dark eyes gleaming with approval, and Briar felt a surge of pride. This was her mate, her alpha, and she was running beside him as his equal.
Briar pushed herself faster, matching his pace. The cool wind sliced through her fur, carrying the scent of pine and wild grasses. Her heart pounded in her chest—not from exertion, but from sheer happiness. She wasn’t just running; she was alive in a way she’d never been before.
Colt let out a low, playful growl, his tail flicking in invitation. Briar responded with a yip of delight, darting to his side and nipping playfully at his flank. He swerved, nudging her back with his shoulder, and together they veered off the trail, plunging deeper into the forest.
They moved as one, their bodies in perfect harmony with the land. Briar felt free—completely and utterly free—and it was in that moment she realized she had no intention of ever leaving Colt’s side. This was where she belonged.
They ran until their lungs burned and their paws ached, chasing each other through the prairie like wild things. When they finally slowed to a trot, Colt nuzzled her affectionately, his warm breath ruffling the fur along her neck. Briar leaned into him, her heart still pounding with exhilaration, and knew she would never forget this moment.
Several days later, Briar knelt in the garden—her garden—carefully replanting a row of herbs she’d found in the market. The scent of rosemary and thyme filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil.
The garden was thriving again, thanks to her care and the protective wards she had woven around it. There had been no sign of Elle since Colt’s brother escorted her to Dallas, and Briarallowed herself to hope that perhaps the woman had finally moved on.
The yellow cat sprawled lazily in the shade nearby, its tail flicking lazily as it watched Briar work. She hummed quietly to herself, her hands moving deftly through the soil, when a vibration from the cell phone in her pocket hummed insistently.
A text? That was odd. The only people who knew the number to the cell phone Colt had given her were herself, Colt, Bryce, Landon and Etta, and none of them would be texting her. Briar stilled, her heart skipping a beat as the sensation washed over her. She was surprised by the name on the caller identification—it was Elle.
The message appeared like a soft plea tinged with desperation.
‘Briar, please. I just need to talk. I know I’ve made mistakes, but I want to make it right. If you could meet me… maybe I can explain, maybe the pack will forgive me. Please.’
Briar bit her lip, conflict swirling in her chest. Elle’s message seemed as though it was laced with genuine remorse, but it was hard to tell if it was real or just another manipulation. Yet, despite everything, Briar felt a flicker of sympathy.
Maybe Elle was truly sorry. Maybe she just needed someone to listen.
Against her better judgment, Briar decided to meet her. She glanced toward the house, debating whether to tell Colt, but quickly dismissed the idea. He’d only worry, and besides, this was something she needed to do on her own.
The message had given her a location—a clearing in a small gathering of trees by a stream, not too far from the ranch. Briar stood, brushing the dirt from her hands, and pulled her glovesoff. The cat meowed softly, sensing her unease, but Briar gave it a reassuring pat.
“I’ll be back soon,” she whispered.
Taking one of the ranch’s ATVs, she rode to the clearing. The drive was quiet, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp leaves. Briar’s heart drummed steadily, her senses on high alert as she approached the meeting place.