Page 26 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

I glance down at my legs, which seem to stretch forever in the ill-fitting shorts. My right thigh catches my attention—the mottled scars from a gunshot years ago glaring back at me. I shift uncomfortably, but Peaches doesn’t give it more than a passing glance, her focus already elsewhere.

She doesn’t ask. Doesn’t stare. That alone makes me breathe a little easier. Around here, scars probably aren’t unusual.

“So,” I say, folding my arms over my chest. “You gonna tell me more about all this wolf stuff, or are you sworn to secrecy?”

Peaches hesitates, her teeth working over her bottom lip as her gaze flickers to the door. “Technically, he didn’t say not to explain,” she mutters. “And honestly, it’s not fair to keep you in the dark.”

“Damn right,” I say, leaning back against the sofa cushions. “Seems like Reyes likes running things with an iron fist.”

She shakes her head, frowning. “Not really. He’s still figuring it out—his powers as Prime, I mean. It’s not like he’s trying to be bossy all the time.”

“Prime,” I echo. “What exactly does that mean?”

Peaches perks up, sitting a little straighter. “Oh, wow. Okay, so you really don’t know anything. Got it. Uh, you know how in lycan squads under the Heavenly Host, the Angel in charge always leads the pack?”

I nod. “Commanders, yeah.”

“Exactly. But when a pack is free from the Host, leadership doesn’t go to some Angel. It defaults to the strongest alpha—the one who’s biggest, toughest, and, well…most Prime. That’s Reyes.”

“So, what? He’s been doing this for two years, tops?” I ask, raising a brow. The Austin Pack is still growing, brand new in the grand scheme of things. It all starts to make a little more sense.

“Yeah. And trust me, he wasn’t expecting it. I think he still struggles with it—like, everything he says carries weight, whether he means it to or not. It’s like…instinct. We can’t help but listen to him, even when he’s just makin’ a suggestion.”

“That sounds like a nightmare,” I mutter.

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Peaches says quickly. “I mean, it can be intense, but Reyes is…different. He’s not the kind of Prime who uses his power to hurt people. Not like the one in the Gulf Pack.”

I can tell there’s a story there, but I get the feeling Peaches doesn’t want to tell it. I chew on what she’s said for a moment before asking, “So…anyone he bites is effectively brainwashed?”

She frowns. “Not really. You still have agency. But you’re just…you’re lycan now. The bite infected you. I don’t really know what else to say.”

My brow furrows. “Wait a second. Does that mean I can shift?”

Peaches hums. “I don’t know. You could try it.”

“I don’t think I really want to.”

“Well, maybe it will happen on accident eventually.”

I blow out a heavy breath. “That’s not exactly comforting.”

“I know,” she admits with a wince. “But I promise, life here is better than it is with other packs. Reyes may not be perfect, but he’s not cruel. You’re safer here than you’d be anywhere else.”

I snort. “So I should just forgive him because he’s ‘not cruel’?”

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head quickly. “No! God, no. I’m not saying that at all.”

I sigh, forcing myself to relax. She’s just trying to help. “Sorry,” I say. “I shouldn’t be snapping at you. It’s just a lot. Back home, people call me ‘Testy Tilda’ for a reason.”

Peaches giggles, the sound light and disarming. “Homestead, right? That’s where you’re from?”

I tense up at the mention of my home, a reminder that the wolves now know exactly where to go if they want to do some damage to the remaining Heavenly Host allies in this part of Texas. Peaches must notice because she leans forward, her expression softening.

“Tilda,” she says gently. “I’m not here to interrogate you. I’m not gonna rat you out. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”

I force a smile, nodding slowly. “Thanks. I just…I’ll share more when I know you better, okay? Promise.”

“Fair enough,” she says, leaning back with an easy shrug. “No rush.”

---