Page 114 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

The man who came to my den as a stranger, who made himself into my enemy, who betrayed me in a way no one ever had. And yet, somehow, he’s also the man Ichose, the man whochose me back, again and again, even when it hurt. Even when it cost him everything.

My fingers trace the ridge of his shoulder, the two of us etched silver in the moonlight. His scent is all around me, wrapping around my heart, sinking into my bones.Ours.That’s what it is now. Not mine, not his.Ours.

I exhale slow, shifting just enough to press a kiss to his forehead.

“You can rest now,” I whisper.

Because this is it. Because Iforgive him.Because he’s home, and Iam too.

Colt stirs, just slightly, a sleepy sound rumbling in his chest as he tightens his arm around my waist. I don’t think he’s fully awake, but maybe—maybe—he heard me anyway.

I let my eyes slip shut, my heart steady, my breath even.

And for the first time in weeks, Ilet go.

EPILOGUE: MAGNOLIA

The community center hums with warmth, the scent of woodsmoke and supper lingering in the air as the den settles in for the evening. Children dart between benches, laughter echoing off the rafters, their bare feet thudding against the floorboards. Near the hearth, a few of the elders murmur to one another, rocking slowly in their chairs. The room is alive, buzzing with the kind of comfort that only comes when a family—a pack—gathers together.

I rest a hand over the swell of my stomach, feeling the gentle flutter of movement beneath my palm. Our baby.Hisbaby. The thought still makes my breath catch, even after months of getting used to it.

Charlotte shifts beside me, adjusting little Daisy where she’s tucked against her chest. “She won’t sleep unless she hears people talking,” she says, running a soothing hand over her daughter’s tiny back. “If it’s too quiet, she thinks something’s wrong.”

Peaches hums, her lips pressing together. “That makes sense, I guess.”

I glance over at her. “You okay?”

She shrugs, rolling her shoulders. “I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

Charlotte raises a brow. “What kind of feeling?”

Peaches exhales, pressing her fingers against her temple. “Like…I don’t know. Like I should be running toward something, but I don’t know what. Or maybe runningfromsomething. It’s probably nothing.”

A strange ripple of unease moves through me, but I shake it off. Peaches has always had good instincts, but sometimes even she can’t make sense of them. And tonight is supposed to be good.

I rest my hands on my belly, rubbing slow circles over the curve of it. “You’re probably just tired,” I offer. “You’ve been running around like crazy lately.”

Peaches rolls her eyes. “Yeah, well, someone’s gotta keep this place interesting.”

Charlotte grins. “Speaking of keeping things interesting—how are you feeling?” Her gaze flickers down to my belly, her voice soft with curiosity. “Everything going okay?”

I smile, warmth spreading through me. “So far, yeah. I’m feeling good.” I glance down at my stomach, smoothing my hands over the fabric stretched over my bump. “The baby’s kicking up a storm lately. Colt swears they’re practicing to be a boxer.”

Charlotte laughs. “That tracks.”

Peaches smirks. “You sure they’re not training to be a menace like their daddy?”

I shake my head, chuckling. “That too.”

Charlotte tilts her head, watching me with quiet affection. “You look happy.”

I meet her gaze, and the truth of it settles deep in my chest. “I am.”

Peaches sighs, leaning back on her elbows. “Well, I hope this baby takes after you. The world can only handle so much of Colt Morgan.”

I laugh. “You say that, but you’re halfway done with that baby blanket. You love him.”

Peaches scoffs, but there’s no heat behind it. “That’s just because you keep giving me those big, pregnant lady eyes whenever I mention putting it off.”

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