Page 34 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

Will, who’s been quiet up until now, leans forward and rests his arms on the table. “There’s an old observatory about two hours east,” he says, his tone more serious. “Abandoned since the Convergence. Some of the tech there was still intact the last time we checked. Might have what you’re looking for.”

“Two hours, huh?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “What, no closer options? Maybe a hardware store around the corner?”

Will smirks faintly. “Not unless you’re willing to try your luck with scrap in the junkyard. But if you want something specific, the observatory’s your best bet.”

“Anything dangerous on the route?” I ask.

Will shakes his head. “Nah…it’s due south of here, and it’s all rebel territory from here down to the coast. We have friends in the Corpus pack.

“Friends in the Corpus pack,” I repeat, mulling that over. “Guess that means I won’t have to watch my back too hard.”

“Not unless you count wild hogs,” Grant chimes in, grinning as he deals another hand. “Those things don’t care if you’re a friend of the pack or not.”

“Good to know,” I say dryly, though the idea of wild hogs isn’t exactly the most concerning thing I’ve heard. The Gulf Pack’s shadow hangs heavy enough over my thoughts that feral animals seem downright quaint by comparison.

Peaches looks up from her crocheting, her hands stilling for a moment as she studies me. “You going alone?” she asks.

“Unless Grant is volunteering to come along,” I reply, quirking a brow. “Could always use someone to fend off the hogs while I scavenge.”

Grant snorts, shaking his head. “Not a chance. I’ve got enough excitement around here.”

Peaches glances up again, her crocheting slowing as she tilts her head slightly. “I was just asking because, you know,” she starts, her voice casual but with a pointed edge that makes me glance back at her, “if you’re heading out to the observatory, you might want to bring Maggie with you.”

That stops me in my tracks. It’s an absolutely terrible idea; her mother already wants to kill me, and I don’t want to wind up dead. But I’m intrigued…

…and I can’t help but take the bait.

“You think she’d want to go?” I ask.

Peaches shrugs, her tone light–as if this isn’t part of some wingman bullshit. “She’s the one who brought the projector to you in the first place, isn’t she? Plus, it’d give you two some time to, you know, bond. Away from the pack, away from prying eyes…” She trails off, her tone turning singsong on the last words, and Grant snickers into his hand.

“Peaches,” I warn, though I can’t help the flicker of interest her suggestion sparks in my chest.

“What?” she says innocently, her eyes glinting with amusement. “I’m just saying. Maggie’s been cooped up here forever. Might do her some good to get out for a bit. And you…” She pauses, her gaze flicking over me like she’s reading every unspoken thought in my head. “You could probably use the company.”

Grant leans back in his chair, grinning like a wolf. “She’s got a point, Colt. Maggie’s a catch. And from the way you’re bending over backward to fix that projector, I’d say you wouldn’t mind spending some quality time with her where Mama Wolf isn’t watching.”

I glare at him, but Peaches steps in before I can respond. “Look, I’m serious. She…I really think she could stand to get away. And if you’re worried about the pack gossiping, don’t. She can handle herself.”

Her words linger, and for a moment, I just stand there, weighing the idea. Taking Maggie with me would complicate things—more time alone with her, more chances for me to screw up and let her see the parts of myself I’d rather keep hidden.

But the thought of spending a few hours with her, just the two of us, away from the watchful eyes of the den…it’s tempting. Too tempting.

“Maybe,” I say finally, keeping my tone neutral. “I’ll think about it.”

“Good,” Peaches replies. “You should.”

I nod once, then turn and head back toward the workshop, the idea already taking root in my mind. Magnolia Jones, out on the open road with me. Just the two of us.

It’s a terrible idea.

And nothing is going to stop me from making it happen.

13

MAGNOLIA

The springs are one of my favorite places in the den. Peaceful, private, quiet…and absolutely gorgeous, with a waterfall that tumbles from the stone wall into a large, waist-deep pool. They recently got a fancy new addition, too–actual heaters.

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