Page 93 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

Reyes just gives me a small, knowing smile. “No, Colt,” he says, voice even. “The pack.”

I go still.

He steps closer, just enough that I have to look at him. “They’re the ones you betrayed,” he says. “They’re the ones who should decide whether or not you stay.”

I don’t breathe.

“I can’t give you absolution, Colt.” His voice is steady. “But they can.”

Something cracks in my chest.

Reyes believes in repentance. In redemption. I can see it in his face, in the way he’s looking at me—not like I’m already damned, but like I still have a choice.

Like I still have a chance.

I let out a slow, uneven breath. “And if they don’t?”

Reyes shrugs. “Then you live with the consequences.”

The words aren’t cruel. They’re not a threat. Just a fact. I nod, accepting my fate.

Then, because I don’t know how else to deal with the fucking weight of this, I huff out a laugh. “Man…and here I was just hoping for some Hail Marys.”

Reyes snorts, shaking his head. “Not how it works, Colt.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair. “Figured.”

It feels like that’s the end of the conversation–confession made, judgment soon to pass. But there’s one last thing I need to ask him…one thing I can’t leave to chance.

“I need a favor.”

Reyes raises a brow. “A favor?”

I nod, swallowing hard. My throat feels tight. “Yeah. Just one.”

Reyes doesn’t say anything, just waits, patient as ever.

I take a breath that doesn’t do shit to steady me. “If they send me away…if Magnolia never forgives me…if I don’t get to stay…” I drag a hand through my hair, staring down at the floor, at my hands, at anything but his face.

“Make sure my kid is safe.”

Silence.

The kind that crashes over the room, thick and suffocating.

Reyes’ expression doesn’t change, but he stiffens. I can feel him watching me, dissecting me.

I force myself to look at him.

“She doesn’t know yet,” I say, voice rough. “And I don’t—I don’t want her to hear it from me. Not now. Not like this.” I clench my jaw, hands fisting at my sides. “But I can sense it. I know.”

Reyes lets out a slow breath, his arms uncrossing, his fingers flexing like he’s thinking, processing. Then he nods, just once. “I’ll make sure they’re protected.”

I bow my head, letting out a breath that feels like it’s been caught in my chest since the moment I realized Magnolia was carrying my child.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

Both our heads snap to the door when we hear it open, and a moment later, Tilda appears on the other side. I can see Frankie over her shoulder, cold eyes flashing with hatred…and Grant, who looks more disappointed than I expected.

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