Page 54 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“Hey Sunshine,” he says–and the nickname is what makes her cry, Charlotte swiping at the tears on her cheeks. Elijah chuckles as if to saygotcha. “I promise to honor you, to protect what we build together, and to love you, always.” He looks up, meeting her eyes as his voice dips into something almost reverent. “No matter what.”

His gaze softens as he forgets about his notes and takes her hands, a flicker of vulnerability shining through. “When I first got my blessing, I thought it was a curse. I didn’t understand why this happened to me, why I was still standing when everyone I loved was gone. My family, my home…everything that tied me to the life I knew was ripped away. I spent years walking through this world feeling like a ghost. Like I wasn’t even really alive anymore.”

He pauses, his throat working, and his grip tightens on her hands. “Then I found you.”

The words hang between them, and for a moment, he’s too overwhelmed to continue. He looks down, collecting himself before meeting her gaze again, his expression raw and open. “I didn’t think someone like you could exist for me. I didn’t think I’d ever find my mate—much less someone who would look at me the way you do. Like I’m worth saving. Like I’m worth loving.”

His voice cracks on the last word, but he keeps going, his words coming faster now, like he’s been holding them back for too long. “You’ve been my light in all of this. You’ve shown me that even in the darkest places, there’s still something worth fighting for. That we can rebuild, even when it feels like there’s nothing left.”

He takes another deep breath, his jaw tightening before his expression softens again. “I promise to stand by you, to fight for you, to protect the life we’ve fought so hard to create. I promise to listen to you, even when I don’t have the answers, and to never stop learning how to be the man you deserve.”

There’s a brief pause, a moment where the air seems to still, their words hanging between them like something tangible. Then Peaches steps a bit closer, grinning like a madwoman through the tears.

“Now kiss already!” she says.

Charlotte hesitates for just a moment, her eyes searching Elijah’s face. He leans in first, his hands steady on hers, and when their lips meet, the kiss is soft, tender, like they’ve been waiting for this moment their whole lives. It’s not rushed or showy; it’s deliberate, grounding.

For a moment, the whole world seems to hold its breath.

And then someone lets out a sharp whistle, breaking the spell. A cheer rises from the pack, quickly followed by laughter and applause. Mateo strikes up a bright tune on his guitar, the celebratory notes spilling into the night as the field fills with voices and energy.

Elijah pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against Charlotte’s, his hand still cradling hers. “You okay?” he murmurs, his voice barely audible over the noise.

Charlotte laughs, brushing at her cheek. “Better than okay.”

Grant whoops loudly, slapping Elijah on the back as the newlyweds turn to face the pack, a ton of people already on their feet. “You did good, man!”

Charlotte beams, her cheeks flushed as she leans into Elijah’s side. The pack crowds around them, offering hugs, congratulations, and jokes about “surviving the first five minutes of married life.”

I stand at the edge of the chapel, my gaze drifting to Tilda in the pews. She’s clapping along with everyone else, but when our eyes meet, her hands still. There’s something unspoken between us, something that sets my wolf pacing in my chest.

Something I can name…desire.

Temptation.

The reception begins, a feast laid out beneath the stars. I watch from a distance as Charlotte and Elijah cut their cake, her laughter bright and unrestrained. The pack dances, drinks, celebrates. It’s a rare moment of joy, untouched by the weight of survival.

And then I feel her hand–my mate’s hand, the woman who will undo me–slip into mine, warm and sure.

“Hey, Father,” Tilda says, her voice low, a teasing edge to her words. “Dance with me?”

I’m helpless to resist.

18

TILDA

I’m not really one for devious plots or seduction. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I tried to seduce anyone—or even wanted to. I think it was after the Convergence, tumbling into bed with another young soldier, both of us desperate to feel something besides dread. It was hollow, fleeting…hell, I can’t even remember his name.

This isn’t like that.

The night air is thick with humidity, lingering after a light rain earlier in the day. The stars above blaze against the deep, wild blue of space, sharp and vivid without the pollution of the old world, or the Celestial Curtain of the new. I’d forgotten what the natural night sky looked like, how it shimmered with unrestrained starlight.

Maybe it’s just the booze talking, but I don’t know if I can give this up. Maybe there’s a place here for Enid and me. I could bring her here, start fresh…

…try to make it work with him.

The man standing in front of me.

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