Page 12 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

"I’m just saying, be careful," she says. "You’ve always had a big heart, starshine. Sometimes too big."

My jaw tightens and I resist the urge to talk back. I push my food around my plate, avoiding everyone’s eyes.

Kate takes the opportunity to stir the pot. “Maybe he’s not a pirate,” she muses, a grin spreading across her face. “Maybe he’s like one of those brooding heroes from Maggie’s old books. You know, the ones with tragic pasts and smoldering eyes?”

"Kate," I hiss, my cheeks flushing hotter.

"Ohhh," Lucy singsongs, her little voice rising with glee. "Maggie likes him."

"I don’t like him," I snap, louder than I mean to. The table goes still, even Lucy blinking up at me like I just ruined her favorite bedtime story.

I take a breath, willing myself to calm down. "I barely know him," I add.

“Well, maybe you should get to know him,” Dad says. “You never know, Magnolia. Sometimes the best things come when you least expect them.”

“Bruce,” Mom says, her eyes narrowing at him. “You’re encouraging her, and you shouldn’t be. This isn’t just some harmless crush.”

“What?” Dad raises his hands. “I’m just saying. Let the girl live a little. She’s twenty-four years old and hasn’t let us down yet.”

I sink back in my chair, wishing the floor would swallow me whole. Lucy, oblivious to the tension, picks up her fork again and takes a big bite of potatoes, her face full of innocent delight.

"Is he your mate, Maggie?" she asks around a mouthful of food, her words muffled but still clear enough to make me groan.

"Alright, that’s enough," I say, standing abruptly and grabbing my plate. "I’ll do the dishes tonight."

"You don’t have to—" Mom starts…but I’m already halfway to the kitchen.

As I start rinsing plates in the sink, the clatter of silverware and the hum of conversation fade into the background. My mind drifts to Colt—the way his eyes seemed to strip me bare, and that low, teasing tone when he said my name.

He’s trouble. I know that much.

But some small, rebellious part of me can’t help but want to indulge in that…and the impulse is made even stronger by my mother’s disapproval.

As if on cue, I hear Mom coming in from the dining room, excusing herself as my dad and siblings start chattering again. Her footsteps are soft as she comes into view and leans against the counter, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed.

“You didn’t have to come in here, Mom,” I mutter, avoiding her eyes. “I promise I won’t get myself in trouble.”

“I’m not trying to be the bad guy, starshine,” she says. “You know I trust you, but this…this feels different.”

I set the plate I’m scrubbing back in the soapy water and glance at her. “I don’t even know him, Mom,” I say. “He’s just a mechanic. There’s a good chance our paths will barely even cross.”

Mom’s gaze sharpens, but she doesn’t interrupt. I know that look—it’s the one she gives when she’s figuring out how to make herselfveryclear.

“You may not know him,” she says finally, “but I’ve been around long enough to know his type. He’s not here just to fix trucks, Magnolia. Men like that don’t wander into a den like ours without a reason. And the way he carries himself? He’s been through things, things that leave scars.”

I can’t help but feel the familiar tug of guilt that comes from disappointing her, even in small ways. “You think he’s dangerous,” I say quietly, not meeting her eyes.

“Iknowhe’s dangerous,” she replies. “And I’m not saying that to scare you. I just…I want you to be careful. You have a way of seeing the best in people, starshine. That’s a gift, but it’s also a risk.”

I turn back to the sink, scrubbing at the same plate even though it’s already clean. “I’m not a kid anymore, Mom,” I murmur. “I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can,” she says, stepping closer. “You’ve been taking care of this family, of this pack, since you were old enough to hold Kate in your arms. But you don’t have to carry all of it alone, Magnolia. And you don’t have to prove anything to me or anyone else.”

She’s given me this talk before–and it never means anything, because I’m constantly proving myself anyway. For a moment, I can’t trust myself to look at her. Instead, I rinse the plate and set it on the drying rack.

“I’m not trying to prove anything,” I say after a moment. I don’t add that in fact, this might be the first time I justwantsomething for myself.

Mom sighs, her hand reaching out to touch my arm. “I know you’re curious about him,” she says gently. “That’s natural. He’s an alpha, you’re an omega…I can’t say I understand, but I know it’s an impulse that’s hard to resist. But please, Magnolia—keep your distance until we know more. For your sake, and for the pack’s.”

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