Page 49 of Alpha's Claim
Briar shot him a cold glance. “Watch me.”
Without another word, she turned and sprinted toward the edge of the clearing, her heart pounding in her chest. The forest loomed ahead, thick and dark, but it was her only chance. She had to get away and hide before the rest of the coven arrived—before it was too late.
As she ran, her magic hummed beneath her skin, stronger now, sharper. The bond between her and Colt pulsed faintly in the back of her mind, guiding her like a beacon. He was coming for her. She could feel it.
But she couldn’t wait for him. She needed to survive—and that meant getting as far away from this place as possible.
Chapter
Nineteen
COLT
Colt gripped the steering wheel of the truck, his knuckles white as the engine roared beneath the hood. The landscape blurred past, but all he could think about was Briar—his mate—out there, alone and in danger. The bond between them pulsed at the edge of his mind, faint but persistent, and he kept reaching for her through it, desperate for any sign that she was okay.
‘Hold on, sweetheart. I’m coming.’
He floored the gas pedal, the tires skimming over the dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust and gravel behind him. His wolf paced restlessly within his mind, snarling and growling, eager to break free and run. He’d driven as far as he could, but the dense forest up ahead meant the truck couldn’t take him any closer.
He slammed on the brakes as the road narrowed and then petered out completely. He skidded to a stop at the edge of the wooded area. Colt threw the door open and stepped out, his boots hitting the dirt with purpose. Every second wasted felt like a knife twisting in his gut.
The wind rustled through the leaves, carrying the sharp scent of pine and earth—familiar scents that normally grounded him but now only heightened his tension. His senses were on highalert, every instinct screaming at him to move faster. The bond between him and Briar tugged at his mind, a thread stretched thin but still intact.
He could feel her fear—sharp and jagged—mingled with anger and defiance. She was holding her own, but for how long? And every now and then, he felt a pulse of magic ripple through the bond, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. She was fighting, trying to escape.
“Not without me, you’re not,” Colt growled under his breath.
His wolf surged forward, eager to be let out. With a deep breath, Colt gave in to the change. It hit him like lightning—a swirling rush of energy and mist filled with thunder, lightning, and a blaze of color. It enveloped and consumed him as he felt the shift take over.
In the blink of an eye, Colt stood in his wolf form—a massive black beast with glowing amber eyes, his fur rippling with power. The scents around him sharpened instantly, every sound more vivid and distinct. The breeze carried traces of Briar’s scent—lavender and earth, faint but unmistakable.
She’s close.
With a powerful leap, Colt surged into the woods, his paws thudding against the soft earth in a relentless rhythm. The trees blurred past him as he ran, his senses focused solely on one thing: getting to Briar before it was too late. His muscles bunched and released in perfect synchrony, propelling him forward with breathtaking speed.
The bond between them pulsed again, and Colt reached out to her, sending waves of reassurance through the link.
I’m coming, Briar. Stay strong, sweetheart. I’m almost there.
He could feel her agitation rising, her emotions swirling in a chaotic mix of fear and frustration. She wasn’t safe—he couldfeel that much. She was scared, but beneath that fear was a fierce force of will. She wasn’t giving up.
Colt pushed himself harder, the wind slicing through his fur as he dodged fallen branches and leapt over rocks. The woodland opened up before him, every scent, sound, and shift in the air guiding his path. He knew the pack wouldn’t be far behind—Landon, Bryce, and the others were running patrols, closing the distance between them. But Colt didn’t wait for them.
This was his fight. His mate.
The bond flickered again, and Colt could feel Briar’s heart racing, her breathing labored. A fresh surge of magic rippled through the link, making Colt’s hackles rise. She was trying to defend herself, but it wasn’t enough—he could sense the growing danger closing in on her.
I’m with you, Briar. I’ll find you. Just hold on.
He veered sharply to the left, following the faint trail of her scent. The trees thickened, branches snagging at his fur as he raced through the underbrush. His paws barely touched the ground as he pushed himself harder, faster. Time felt like an enemy—each second that passed was another chance for something to go wrong.
I’m close, Briar. I’m almost there.
Her emotions flared in response—relief mingled with desperation. She knew he was coming, but there was a rising urgency in her mind, a silent plea for him to hurry. Colt wasn’t going to stop until he had her back in his arms.
Colt’s paws pounded against the forest floor, his muscles coiling and releasing in perfect rhythm. The cool night air whipped through his fur, carrying the scents of pine, damp earth, and something darker—magic. The pulse of his bond with Briar grew stronger as he raced toward her, a lifeline drawing him through the dense woods.
He could feel her emotions—panic edged with a bold ferocity—and it spurred him on, pushing him to run faster, harder. His heart thundered in his chest, and his wolf snarled in frustration, desperate to reach her.