Page 4 of Alpha’s Vow (Copper Canyon Shifters #3)

CHAPTER 4

brYCE

T he noise of the crowd at the National Finals in Las Vegas was a living thing, rolling over Bryce like a tidal wave of energy. The lights glared bright and hot, illuminating every corner of the massive arena. Bryce thrived in moments like this, the electric anticipation of competition coursing through his veins like a drug.

But tonight, his focus was fractured.

As he leaned against the metal railings of the competitor’s section, Bryce’s eyes were fixed on the barrel racing arena. A sleek gray mustang and its rider were a blur of motion as they wove through the pattern with breathtaking precision. The woman leaned low over the horse’s neck, her blonde hair tied back beneath her hat, the powerful muscles of her legs guiding the horse with unerring grace.

It wasn’t just her skill that caught Bryce’s attention. It was the fire in her eyes, visible even from this distance. There was an intensity about her, a quiet but unyielding determination that reminded him of the way a predator stalks its prey. He didn’t know her name yet, but he didn’t need to. He felt like he already knew her—like he’d been waiting to see her for a lifetime.

The buzzer sounded, and the crowd erupted into thunderous applause as the woman pulled her horse to a halt after they crossed the finish line. Bryce’s breath caught as the announcer read her time. It wasn’t just good—it was record-shattering.

“Sable Morse, ladies and gentlemen!” the announcer called out, the enthusiasm in his voice barely contained. “That’s the fastest time of the night, and she’s officially in the running for the championship!”

Sable—the woman from his dream? The name fit her, sharp and cutting, like the edge of a blade. Bryce watched her ride out of the arena, her posture relaxed but commanding, her hand brushing the neck of her mustang. She didn’t acknowledge the roaring crowd, her focus solely on the horse beneath her.

“You’re staring, little brother,” Landon drawled from beside him, his voice full of teasing. “Didn’t know barrel racers were your type.”

Bryce didn’t take his eyes off her retreating form. “She’s not just any barrel racer.”

Landon chuckled, crossing his arms. “Oh, this is gonna be good. You’re hooked, aren’t you?”

Bryce finally turned to glare at his brother. “Hooked? No. Curious? Yes.”

“Sure you are,” Landon said, grinning. “Let me guess—you’re about to tell me she’s different.”

Bryce didn’t bother responding. His attention was already shifting back to the arena, where the bronc riding was about to begin. He had his own ride to focus on, but even as he prepared, he couldn’t shake the image of Sable’s unrelenting focus or the way she’d moved with her horse as if they were one.

The bronc beneath Bryce was a beast of legend. Tornado was its name, and the reputation was well-earned. Few riders had lasted the full eight seconds on its back, and even fewer had walked away unscathed. Bryce tightened his grip on the rein, adjusting his position in the saddle as the animal thrashed beneath him.

The world outside the chute narrowed, the sounds of the crowd dimming as Bryce focused on the task ahead. He lived for moments like this—the fine line between control and chaos, the thrill of pushing himself against impossible odds.

“Ready?” the gatekeeper asked, his voice barely audible over the bronc’s furious snorts.

Bryce nodded, his jaw set. “Let’s do it.”

The gate swung open, and Tornado exploded into the arena, its powerful body twisting and bucking with ferocity. Bryce’s body moved with practiced precision, his grip unyielding as the bronc tried to throw him off. Each leap felt like it could launch him into the stratosphere, but he held on, his muscles burning with the effort.

The crowd’s cheers were deafening, but Bryce didn’t hear them. His world was reduced to the rhythmic pounding of hooves and the sheer force of the bronc’s rebellion. Tornado twisted sharply to the left, then reared up, its front legs kicking at the air. Bryce adjusted his balance instinctively, his free arm slicing through the air to maintain control.

“Come on,” he growled under his breath, adrenaline surging through him. Tornado’s next move was a vicious buck, its back legs launching into the air. Bryce’s vision blurred for a split second, but he gritted his teeth and held firm.

Seven seconds. One more.

Bryce’s heart hammered in his chest, a wild rhythm that matched the chaos of the ride that had just ended. The bronc beneath him had thrown every ounce of fury it could muster—kicks high, twists sharp, back arched like a predator on the hunt. But Bryce had stayed with it, his body moving instinctively, the eight-second buzzer slicing through the roar of the crowd like salvation.

As the pickup man closed in, Bryce felt the rush of adrenaline give way to an exhilarating clarity. He reached out, catching the outstretched arm, and swung his leg over the bronc's heaving flank. The ground rushed up at him as he hit the dirt and stumbled, but he stayed upright, boots digging into the arena floor as he whipped his hat off and flung it high into the air.

The crowd erupted—a thunderous cheer that seemed to vibrate through his chest. Bryce turned, hands on his hips, and cast a glance back at the bronc still bucking its fury out in the pen. A grin tugged at his face, not cocky, but something close—pure satisfaction. He’d ridden well, felt it in his bones, and the energy of the moment surged through him as he tipped his hat to the crowd and jogged toward the gate.

One of the other riders slapped him on the shoulder as he passed. “Ninety-one,” the guy shouted, grinning ear to ear. “Second best ride of the night, Bryce.”

Bryce just nodded, his chest rising and falling with the effort to catch his breath. Ninety-one. Yeah, he’d felt it. Felt every second of it. This is what he lived for—this exact moment, where the dust settled and the cheers rolled like thunder.

The announcer’s voice rang out, cutting through the noise. “Bryce, with an incredible ride, just a quarter of a point out of first place.”

Garcia had just edged him out. Second place. Bryce felt a flicker of frustration, but it was quickly overshadowed by a sense of satisfaction. Tornado had been a hell of a challenge, and he’d met it head-on. He tipped his hat to the crowd before heading back toward the holding area.

Back in the stables, Bryce tended to his horse, his mind still spinning from the ride. The energy of the competition lingered in his veins, but there was something else, too—something that had nothing to do with bronc riding.

He heard her voice before he saw her, low and commanding as she spoke to her horse. Bryce stepped around the corner, and there she was—Sable, the woman who had stolen his attention from the moment she entered the arena. She was brushing down her gray mustang, her movements calm and efficient, her posture radiating strength.

For a moment, Bryce just watched her, captivated by the quiet intensity that seemed to surround her like an aura. She was a shifter, she-wolf most likely. As if sensing his presence, she turned, her eyes locking onto his.

“You’re staring,” she said, her tone flat but not unkind.

Bryce grinned, tipping his hat. “Can you blame me? That was one hell of a run out there.”

Sable arched an eyebrow, the faintest hint of amusement flickering across her face. “Thanks. You weren’t too bad yourself.”

“Not too bad?” Bryce repeated, feigning offense. “I’m Bryce Savage, sweetheart. Not too bad is an insult.”

That earned him a small laugh. “Maybe you’ll get better with practice.”

Bryce chuckled, stepping closer. “You’re a tough critic. I like that.”

Sable didn’t respond immediately, her gaze studying him with an intensity that made his wolf stir. For a moment, the noise of the stables faded, leaving only the crackling tension between them. The buzzing in his head felt and sounded like a million frenzied bees.

“You’re not like the others,” she said finally, her voice quiet.

Bryce tilted his head, intrigued. “What makes you say that?”

Sable’s smile returned, but there was a shadow behind it. “I can tell when someone’s just here for the show. You’re not.”

He didn’t know what she meant by that, but her words sent a jolt through him, like she’d seen something in him he didn’t fully understand himself. Before he could respond, Sable turned back to her horse, dismissing him with a nod.

“Good luck with your next ride,” she said over her shoulder.

When she was finished grooming her mare, she returned her mare to her stall. “Have a good one Savage,” she said as she left the barn.

Bryce watched her go, his heart pounding. She was a mystery, a puzzle he was suddenly desperate to solve. And for the first time in years, he felt like he was on the edge of something extraordinary.

As he stepped out into the night, the distant sounds of the arena echoing in his ears, Bryce knew one thing for certain. Sable wasn’t just another competitor. She was the beginning of something he couldn’t ignore.

The bar buzzed with life, the air thick with laughter and country music. It was the kind of place rodeo competitors and buckle bunnies naturally gravitated to after an event—a mix of celebration and camaraderie, where rivals traded jabs over beers and tired horses waited either back at the rodeo venue’s stalls or in trailers outside.

Bryce leaned against the polished wood of the bar, a bottle of cold beer dangling loosely from his fingers. He’d spent the last hour listening to well-meaning competitors congratulate him on his ride, their words brushing past him like wind over dry grass. His thoughts were elsewhere, locked on a pair of eyes that had burned into him earlier that night.

Sable.

She had been a force of nature in the arena, but there was more to her than skill. She carried herself like someone who had been forged in fire—unbreakable, untamed. He couldn’t stop thinking about her, the way her intensity had pulled at something primal inside him.

“You gonna nurse that beer all night, or do something interesting with it?” Landon’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Bryce turned to see his brother grinning at him from a nearby table. Colt was beside him, shaking his head.

“Leave him alone,” Colt said. “The man’s got that look.”

“What look?” Landon asked, his grin widening.

“The one he gets when he’s hunting,” Colt replied, his tone dry.

Bryce rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched in a faint smile. “You two done?”

“Not even close,” Landon said, raising his glass in mock salute. “Go get your girl, Bryce.”

He didn’t respond, but his brothers’ words lingered as he turned back to the bar. Bryce’s instincts were rarely wrong, and tonight they were screaming at him to find her.

As if conjured by the thought, she appeared.

Sable walked into the bar with the same quiet confidence she’d shown in the arena. Her blonde hair was loose now, framing her sharp features, and her fitted jeans and boots made her look like she belonged to the same untamed wildness as the horses she rode. She scanned the room, her gaze sweeping past him once before snapping back, locking on his.

It wasn’t a glance. It was a challenge.

Bryce straightened, setting his beer down as she approached. The noise of the bar faded to a dull buzz as she stopped a few feet away, her lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile.

“Savage,” she said, her voice low and smooth.

“Sable,” he replied, tilting his hat slightly in greeting. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Her smile deepened. “Small world.”

He motioned to the empty stool beside him. “Care for a drink?”

She considered him for a moment before sliding onto the stool, her movements fluid and deliberate. “Depends. Are you buying?”

Bryce chuckled, signaling the bartender. “What’s your poison?”

“Whiskey. Neat.”

He raised an eyebrow, impressed. “You don’t mess around.”

“Not my style,” she replied, her tone cool but laced with something that made his pulse quicken.

The bartender poured her drink, and they sat in silence for a moment, the charged air between them thick enough to touch. Bryce studied her out of the corner of his eye, noting the slight stiffness in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled around the glass like she was holding something back.

“You rode like a demon out there,” he said finally, breaking the silence. “That time of yours was damn near perfect.”

Sable took a sip of her whiskey, her gaze steady on his. “You weren’t too bad yourself. Second place is nothing to scoff at.”

He grinned, leaning a little closer. “I don’t settle for second.”

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was a challenge in them, too. “Then maybe you should try harder.”

The words were sharp, but there was no malice in them. Bryce felt a surge of excitement at her boldness, the way she didn’t back down from him. Most people were quick to praise or flatter, but Sable met him head-on, unafraid.

“You always this feisty, or do I just bring out the best in you?” he asked, his voice dropping slightly.

Sable’s smile returned, and she leaned closer, her eyes darkening. “Something tells me you prefer feisty.”

Her words sent a jolt through him, a current of heat that settled low in his stomach. Bryce wasn’t used to being caught off guard, but Sable had a way of turning the tables that left him equal parts intrigued and infuriated.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Good thing I like the heat,” she said, her gaze locked on his.

The world around them seemed to blur, the noise of the bar fading as their connection deepened. Bryce couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so drawn to someone, the pull of her presence undeniable.

He didn’t think. He acted.

“Come with me,” he said, his voice firm.

Sable raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking in amusement. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” Bryce replied, standing and offering her his hand.

For a moment, she hesitated, her gaze flicking to his hand before returning to his face. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she slid her fingers into his.

The night air was crisp as they stepped outside, the noise of the bar fading behind them. Bryce led her to his truck, anticipation building between them with every step.

When they reached the truck, Bryce turned to her, his eyes blazing with intensity. “Tell me if I’m wrong, Sable. Tell me to stop.”

Her response was a challenge, her voice steady. “I won’t.”

That was all he needed.

The kiss was explosive, a clash of wills and fire that left them both breathless. Bryce’s hands gripped her waist, pulling her against him as her fingers tangled in his hair. The connection between them was electric, each touch igniting a fire that burned hotter with every passing second.

They didn’t make it far—just back to his room in one of the nicer hotels close to the finals’ venue. Once inside, he threaded his fingers through her hair and crushed his mouth against hers. Every cell in his body was on fire for her. Even now, he knew he’d never get enough of her. He would lavish her with great sex and convince her to return to the ranch with him. He tangled his tongue with hers, sliding along and leading her in a dance of desire.

They pulled at each other’s clothing so that they were naked—skin against skin as they continued to kiss. Bryce swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her out, following her down and settling himself between her legs. It would be so easy just to shove himself deep inside her and worry about her needs in round two, but she was more than just someone he could slake his lust with. She was special and he knew it.

He kissed her again, before trailing his lips down her neck, nuzzling the hollow of her throat. Everything about her and this felt right—as if it had always been. He trailed kisses down to her breast, swirling his tongue around her areola in concentric circles until he sucked her nipple into his mouth. Sable moaned and pushed herself deeper inside his mouth. He gave her pebbled tip the edge of his teeth, making her hiss, before he moved to the other one.

“Bryce,” she moaned.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he whispered.

“Good thing it’s not a long road,” she teased.

He gave her other nipple a little bite. “Careful, Sable.”

He left her breasts, trailing more kisses down her body, spreading her legs wide and lifting each of them over his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around them. He lowered his mouth to her sex, licking her labia and kissing her clit before he sucked it into his mouth and made her gasp with pleasure. She was wet, ripe, and ready. The scent of her arousal was intoxicating and it took everything in him not to give into the frenzy of need he was experiencing. He’d never felt this way with any of the women he’d bedded—woman or shifter—but he knew he would do whatever it took to keep her at his side.

Bryce devoured her pussy, spearing it with his tongue over and over and lapping up her honey. He felt her body go stiff as she came, her body quivering before she sighed. He raised his head and began to make his way back up her body. He settled himself between her legs, pulling them up around him.

Positioning his cock at her entrance, he thrust up into her, forcing her pussy to stretch in order to accommodate his size. He eased back and shoved back in. Her nails raked his back as he found a rhythm that felt familiar and right. As she came a second time, he began to pound into her, holding nothing back.

He thrust in again and again as Sable writhed beneath him, lost in her own pleasure. At some point, instinct took over and the primal need to claim her overpowered everything else. Bryce didn’t think, he acted. His teeth grazed the skin next to the hollow of her throat as his fangs elongated, and he sank into her neck, biting down ferociously, but she was too far gone to notice. He thrust deep a final time, grinding against her as he filled her with his cum.

Sable arched against him as she gasped, the bite sealing their connection. The moment was both savage and intimate, a bond forged in fire and instinct. But as the haze cleared and Bryce looked down at her, a new sensation gripped him—something beyond desire or passion. The bite wasn’t just a mark. It was a promise, one he didn’t fully understand but couldn’t take back.

And as Sable’s eyes met his, a flicker of something dark and unreadable passed through them before they closed, and she was asleep. Bryce’s world was about to change, and for the first time in his life, he wasn’t sure he was ready.