Page 51 of Alpha's Claim
She reached deep into the earth beneath their paws, her magic thrumming through the ground like a heartbeat. Colt could feel it—an ancient power stirring to life at her command, wild and untamed. Vines slithered up from the soil, twisting around the legs of the witches with startling speed, pulling tight and anchoring them in place.
Colt’s wolf huffed in approval, but Briar wasn’t finished. The soft earth beneath the coven members began to shift, and suddenly, thin tendrils of iron, glinting darkly in the moonlight, rose from the soil.
The witches cried out in alarm as the iron wrapped around their wrists and throats like chains. The metal wasn’t strong—it wouldn’t bind them for long—but it was enough to dampen their magic, weakening them just enough to tip the scales in Briar and Colt’s favor.
Colt's lips pulled back in a satisfied snarl as the coven members struggled against the iron tendrils. They hadn’t expected this—they hadn’t counted on Briar beingmorethan the witch they once knew.
The gaunt leader tried to cast another spell, but the iron clamped tighter around his hands, cutting off his power. His voice faltered, panic flashing in his eyes as he realized they had been surrounded by the rest of the pack, who stood in silent witness and would move in if needed. For now, they were content to watch their alpha and his mate deal with this threat.
Briar prowled forward, her wolf moving with deadly grace. She gave a low growl, and the vines responded instantly, tightening their grip until the witches gasped for breath.
You’ve lost,Briar’s voice echoed through Colt’s mind, directed at the intruders butvoicedin a way that both he and her pack could hear. Her pack; they had come not just to back Colt, but to be there for her. She could feel their warmth and support settling around her. She had a pack.
The leader’s defiance crumbled. He gave a frantic glance toward his remaining men, but there was no saving them. Briar’s magic, combined with her wolf’s relentless power, had them trapped.
One of the witches lunged, hoping to catch Briar off guard. Colt didn’t hesitate. With a savage snarl, he sprang forward, his teeth flashing in the moonlight as they closed around the man’s throat. The witch barely had time to scream before Colt’s powerful jaws snapped shut, the witch’s neck severed with a sickening crunch.
The leader stumbled back in horror as another witch—desperate and cornered—tried to attack Briar. But her wolf was faster. She leapt at the man, her claws raking across his neck in a clean, brutal arc. His throat torn open, the witch crumpled, lifeless, to the ground.
The remaining members of the coven stood frozen, their faces pale with fear. They knew they were beaten.
“Enough!” the gaunt leader rasped, his voice hoarse with terror. “We surrender. Call off the wolves.”
Briar’s growl was low and menacing, vibrating through the clearing. Colt gave a sharp nod, and together they stood as a united front—alpha and mate, wolf and witch, unstoppable. The surviving witches slumped in defeat, knowing that they had lost more than just the battle. They had losther.
Briar’s vines loosened slightly, though the iron remained coiled around the coven members as a warning. Colt prowled closer, his amber eyes locked on the leader as he shifted back.
“If you ever come for her again,” Colt growled, his voice thick with menace, “you won’t live to regret it. I will hunt you to the ends of the earth to keep my mate safe.”
The man’s pale eyes flickered with fear, and he gave a shaky nod. “We won’t. You have my word.”
“I don’t give a damn about your word,” snarled Colt. “If I see you again, I’ll have your life.”
Colt glanced toward Briar. She met his gaze with a steady look, her wolf glowing with fierce satisfaction. Together, they had ended this. Together, they had won.
Briar shifted beside him, the swirling mist surrounding her as she returned to her human form. She raised her hands and both iron and vine retreated into the earth. The remaining witches stumbled to their feet, retreating into the shadows of the woods, humiliated and defeated. Colt watched them go, his body still vibrating with tension, but the moment they disappeared from sight, a wave of relief crashed over him.
Briar swayed slightly, and Colt reached for her, wrapping an arm around her to steady her. “You okay?” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She gave him a tired but triumphant smile. “I am now.”
Colt pulled her into his arms, his heart pounding gratefully—a gratitude that she was here, that she was safe, and that they had won.
“You were incredible,” Colt whispered into her hair. “I knew you had it in you.”
Briar chuckled softly, leaning into him. “I had a good teacher.”
Colt pressed a kiss to her temple. “You’re more than I ever imagined, Briar. My wolf...” He paused, his voice rough with emotion. “My wolf has never been happier.”
Briar looked up at him, her green eyes soft and full of love. “Neither have I,” she whispered.
Colt’s arms tightened around her. This was everything he’d ever wanted and more. He tilted her chin up and kissed her, slow and deep, pouring every ounce of love into the kiss. Briar melted against him, her arms winding around his neck as the world faded away.
When they finally pulled apart, Colt rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the cool air of the approaching evening. “Let’s go home,” he murmured.
Briar smiled, a soft, contented smile that made Colt’s heart soar. “Home,” she echoed, and the word felt like a promise—a promise of everything they would build together.
They shifted again, their wolves falling into step beside each other as they trotted back toward the truck. The moon hung high above them, casting its silver light over the forest as they ran side by side, their hearts beating in perfect harmony. Colt knew this was their happily ever after—the life they would build together. And nothing—not witches, not covens, not even the forces of fate—would ever tear them apart.