Page 14 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“So what makes me different?”

Reyes leans casually against the table, like we’re discussing the weather. “I couldn’t let you die out there. You’d already given up on the fight. What kind of man would I be if I let you bleed out?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” I snap. “The kind of man who’s being hunted by the Heavenly Host and maybe shouldn’t save random crusaders?”

Reyes narrows his eyes. “You weren’t a threat to me in that moment. And besides, you were running. If you’d stayed and tried to stab me in the ribs, then…well, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“So, what—you’re just gonna keep me locked up here forever?” I ask. “What’s the plan, Father? Because I’ve got people counting on me back home.”

His expression shifts when I use his title, getting feisty…but he softens when I talk about my people. “You have a family?”

My heart clenches, and I glance away, already regretting letting that slip. “A sister,” I mutter. “And she’s probably losing her mind right now.”

Reyes exhales, his brow furrowing. “I get it,” he says, and for a moment, he sounds almost…sympathetic. “But you know why I can’t just let you walk out of here, right?”

I nod stiffly. “Yeah, I get it. And if I were in your position, you’d probably already be dead.”

He blinks, then lets out a low chuckle. “Honesty suits you, Matilda.”

“It’s a curse,” I mutter. “One you’ll probably hate once the interrogation starts.”

Reyes smirks. “Noted.”

He pushes off the table and heads to a massive wooden cabinet by the door, pulling out a clean white T-shirt. As he slips it over his head, the fabric stretches tight over his shoulders and chest, doing absolutely nothing to diminish how ridiculously built he is. He looks damn good for a priest, no matter how much I want to deny it.

“So, what now?” I ask, crossing my arms. “You’re not leaving me here, are you?”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “This isn’t a cell. It’s my room.”

“Oh.” I glance around again, noticing the personal touches—the books, the cross, the old clock. There’s even a bloodstained blanket in the corner, courtesy of…well, me, I guess. “Sorry.”

Reyes chuckles, moving over to a dresser. “Don’t worry about it. But no, I can’t leave you here. And since we don’t have a proper jail…you’re coming with me.”

I stiffen. “You’re joking.”

“Not even a little,” he says, pulling a black silk tie from the dresser. “But first, I’ll need to blindfold you.”

“No way,” I say, backing up instinctively. “Not happening.”

Reyes raises an eyebrow. “If I was your prisoner, and you had to take me through your base, would you just let me wander around, memorizing every exit?”

I grind my teeth. “Fair point.”

“Good,” he says, stepping closer. “Turn around.”

I hesitate, every muscle in my body tensing, but eventually, I turn my back to him. The heat of his body washes over me as he steps into my space, and I swallow hard, trying not to think about how close he is.

“Trust me,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

The tie slips over my eyes, and his hands work quickly to knot it at the back of my head. His knuckles brush my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I clench my fists at my sides, willing myself not to react.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice softer now.

“Peachy,” I mutter, even though my pulse is racing.

“Good,” he says. “Because Mateo cooked this morning, and I’m starving.”

The mention of food makes my stomach growl embarrassingly loud. I haven’t eaten since yesterday afternoon, and the thought of anything homemade—even from a bunch of wolves—has my mouth watering.

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