Page 76 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“They have resources,” Tilda says, surprising me. She doesn’t like speaking in front of groups, but she’s on her feet now. “Guns, ammo, cars, and most importantly, horses and livestock. Things the pack could use, and that I am happy to negotiate for.”

“She’s only doing this because she wants to help her sister,” Frankie scoffs.

“That’s right, I am,” she says, putting her hands on her hips. “And can any of you say you wouldn’t do the same? I fight for the people I love, and I’ll fight for you all, too.”

That shuts everyone up…but Tilda isn’t done. Before I can stop her, she’s striding over to Frankie and standing in front of the blonde, still with a defiant look on her face. Frankie stands and looks her in the eye, a snarl on her lips.

“I know you have a problem with me, and that’s okay,” Tilda says. “I’m not an easy person to stomach. But I’ll fight for you, too.”

Silence hangs between the two of them, but I watch with astonishment as Frankie’s snarl ebbs into nothing more than a grimace. She lowers her chin, then her eyes…then she sits back down.

My chest swells with pride at my mate—at this reminder of just how right we are for each other.

God could not have sent me a better match.

Tilda turns back toward me and I can’t suppress the fierce, proud smile that bubbles to the surface. I look around at the pack and they all seem to be thinking the same thing: that this woman is one of us.

“Does anyone else have questions?” I ask, letting my gaze sweep across the room. My voice is calm but firm, a deliberate effort to steady the energy in the room. “We’re happy to answer them, and we won’t leave this room until everyone is heard. I promise you that.”

Grant clears his throat, leaning forward slightly with a curious glint in his eye. “Guess I’m just wondering if you need any backup?”

Will barks out a laugh, the sound sharp and unexpected, drawing a few startled glances from around the room. “Backup?” he echoes, shaking his head. “Come on, Grant. You think Reyes needs babysitters?”

Grant shrugs, unbothered. “Just seems like we’re heading into pretty dangerous territory. It wouldn’t hurt to have extra muscle.”

I step down from the small platform at the head of the room, closing the distance between myself and the pack. At this point, it’s not about speeches or declarations anymore—it’s about making sure every single person here feels heard and valued. I stop near Grant, offering him a nod. “We appreciate the offer,” I say. “But we’re going to go alone. This is something we need to handle quietly. Too many people could escalate things.”

“And if you don’t make it back?” Frankie pipes up from her corner of the room, her voice cutting through the murmurs like a knife.

I grimace, turning to meet her sharp, calculating gaze. The question is brutal, but not unexpected. “If I don’t make it back…” I take a steadying breath. “You defer to Will and Suyin on any decisions.”

The room falls silent. Grant’s eyes go wide, darting to Suyin as if the thought hadn’t crossed his mind before. Does he think he should have been named instead? Or is there something else brewing beneath the surface? Whatever it is, he recovers quickly, nodding along as though it’s all fine.

Frankie, on the other hand, doesn’t move. Her expression remains unreadable, her fingers drumming idly on the table in front of her. I get the sense she’s filing this moment away for later—calculating, strategizing.

I let out a slow exhale and step back, returning to where Tilda waits by my chair. Her hand brushes against mine as I sit down, the smallest gesture of reassurance that helps ground me.

“Now,” I say, raising my voice again to address the room. “If anyone has any more questions, I’ll be here all night. Let’s eat.”

26

TILDA

I’m exhausted by the time we finally make it back to Reyes’ room, dozens of people having come up to ask questions and offer their congratulations or welcome me to the pack. Everyone seems to be onboard with my joining them, to my surprise, and it makes me feel a certain sense of belonging as we mosey back down the corridor and deep into the den.

I could see myself making a home here, building a family. For the longest time, it’s just been me and Enid. While my sister has enmeshed herself in Homestead’s social ecosystem, I’ve had a harder time doing that…and I’ve never really bonded with anyone but her.

This is different. I feel a kinship with the people here—people who are wild and hurt.

And Reyes…

I’ve never felt this kind of companionship with anyone else. He makes me feel like God has a plan, when I’ve stopped believing in the big man in the sky over the years. Maybe it’s just that being here has allowed me to see the stars again, or maybe it’s this wolf stuff, but I don’t ever want to leave his side.

I want to believe that it’s because I love him for who he is.

I want to believe I love him.

My hardened heart can’t take anything else.

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