Page 15 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“Fine,” I say grudgingly. “Lead the way.”

Reyes’s hand brushes my arm, guiding me toward the door, and I grit my teeth against the jolt of heat that sparks at his touch. This whole situation is insane. He’s insane.

And apparently, I’m insane too, because a tiny, traitorous part of me doesn’t hate it.

5

REYES

Tilda.

Her name bounces around in my head as I knot the blindfold at the back of her neck. I drag out the contact, even though I know I shouldn’t.

Just tie it. Be done with it.

But my fingers betray me, brushing against her skin, lingering in a moment I can’t afford. She shivers beneath my touch, a subtle tremor that shoots straight through me, igniting something raw and dangerous.

Damn it.

I shiver too.

This isn’t just a mistake—it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

I should’ve told her the second she woke up. Should’ve said,“Hey, by the way, I bit you last night to save your life. Oh, and now your body’s gonna react to me like I’m the only man in the universe.”

Instead, I kept my mouth shut. Told myself it was better this way.

Told myself I’d make the right choice and not pursue this…whatever this is. Told myself I’d keep my vows intact, hold fast to the promises I made years ago, and resist the pull that’s threatening to unravel me.

But now? Now I’ve just made it a million times harder to fight.

How the hell am I supposed to explain that I didn’t save her out of some holy calling, but because she’s my mate? She’s human. She doesn’t have a clue what that means—doesn’t know why every cell in my body is pulling me toward her like she’s magnetic. Why the thought of letting her go feels like it might kill me.

I didn’t even know a lycan could sense a mate bond with a human; it’s never happened before. Even with infected folks, they almost always match alpha to omega, rarely outside of that.

It doesn’t make sense. Shouldn’t be possible.

But here she is, turning my world inside out with nothing more than her scent, her presence.

Is this the biggest mistake of my life? Yeah, probably. Because now, not only have I tied myself to her in a way I can’t explain, I’ve also made resisting her nearly impossible. And if I break? If I let my wolf win, give in to the bond pulling us together, I won’t just lose my vows—I’ll lose myself.

And now I have to fix it. Somehow. Without tearing my pack apart. Without tearing myself apart.

The universe wastes no time reminding me just how screwed I am.

When I open the door, Frankie–our only female alpha and the biggest hardass here–is waiting. She’s leaning against the wall like she’s been there all morning, arms crossed, hazel eyes locked on me in a downright frightening scowl.

“Mornin’, Frankie,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, like I don’t feel her glare burning holes in me.

She doesn’t respond.

Doesn’t have to say a thing for me to tell just how pissed she is.

“Is someone there?” Tilda asks, her voice tight.

“Yeah, just Frankie,” I say, pulling Tilda along before Frankie can get a word in. “I told you people aren’t thrilled you’re here. Frankie is just angrier about it than most.”

“Great,” Tilda mutters. “This is going to go well.”

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