Page 72 of Taken By the Alpha Priest

“I think you should consider Suyin,” I say.

Reyes cocks his head. “But Suyin is a beta.”

“Just—from a human perspective,” I say, leaning casually against Annie’s stall. “I know she can’t have the magic ‘tell people what to do’ thing, but she’s smart, strategic, and has a good relationship with everyone in the pack. Maybe even Charlotte.”

“A pack led by an omega?” Reyes snorts, shaking his head. “Jesus—I sound like a real misogynist, don’t I?”

“A little bit,” I tease, raising an eyebrow.

“These things get ingrained,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I’m hardwired for it, apparently.”

“I get it—you’ve been a wolf for a long time,” I say, my tone softer now. “But I’m here to remind you the world doesn’t actually work that way, darlin’. I know these classifications mean something to you, but…you don’t have to follow every rule to the letter. Break a few now and then.”

Reyes chuckles, his gaze dropping for a moment like he’s considering my words. “Guess that’s part of why I need you around,” he says. “To call me out on my bullshit.”

“Always happy to help,” I say with a grin, pushing off the stall door. I cross the space between us slowly, testing the waters, my boots scuffing softly against the stable floor. Reyes doesn’t move, his eyes tracking my every step, but the tension in his shoulders starts to relax.

“Let me guess,” I say, stopping a foot away from him, close enough to feel the heat radiating off his skin. “Omegas and betas are supposed to be docile, follow the Prime’s orders, never question anything…”

“Something like that,” he admits, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “At least if you believe everything we’ve been told about lycan dynamics.”

“Well, hate to break it to you,” I say, tilting my head with a playful smile, “but I’m not that kind of girl.”

Reyes’ expression shifts, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. “No,” he says quietly. “You’re not.”

His words catch me off guard, the sincerity in them cutting through the playful banter. I feel a warmth rise in my chest, unexpected and unfamiliar, and I look away for a moment, pretending to brush dirt off my hands.

“I mean, you didn’t really give me much of a choice when you bit me,” I say, my voice lighter again, though there’s a tremor beneath it.

Reyes’ smile returns, softer this time. “You’re right. I didn’t. And I’d apologize, but…I don’t think I’m sorry.”

I glance back at him, his brown eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. The barn feels quieter now, the hum of crickets outside the only sound between us. For a moment, we just stand there, the unspoken weight of everything—his bite, our bond, this strange new world we’re building together—hanging in the air.

“You’re trouble,” I finally say, a half-smile playing on my lips.

Reyes chuckles, the sound low and warm. “Takes one to know one.”

I get close enough to slide my arms around his neck, biting my lip. His hands find my hips, that scent overwhelming me…and it’s like I’m back in bed with him, no time having passed, eager and desperate for him.

“Tilda…” he starts, a note of warning in his voice.

I slide one hand up the back of his neck, tugging on his hair.

“Shut up,” I breathe.

I kiss him hard, standing on my tip-toes to get a better angle. Reyes lets out a rumble deep in his chest, an animalistic sound that seems to awaken every primal instinct I have. My fingers grasp at his white t-shirt, eager to tear off the fabric–and I gasp and pull back at the sound of fabric tearing.

“What the–” I jerk my hand away and look down at it, splaying out my fingers. My nails have gotten just a little sharper and longer—more like claws. “Is this…?”

Reyes takes my left hand in his right, narrowing his eyes in curiosity. “Maybe the exchanged bites have quickened the process,” he says. “Who knows? You…I think you might be able to turn soon. You’re transforming into one of us.”

The prospect of that sends a thrill through me. It’s a little disturbing, but it feels exciting to know that I’m going to get some of the perks of having that lineage—quick healing and in-built weapons. Reyes’ bite mark on my hip throbs, sending waves of liquid heat across my skin.

“Is it bad that I want to tear your clothes off right now?” I ask, my voice dropping as I trace the line of his collar with a single finger.

Reyes chuckles, the sound low and warm in his chest. “I think you kind of already did.”

I glance down at the tatters of his shirt hanging loosely from his shoulders, the black fabric barely clinging to his frame. “Oh,” I murmur, feigning innocence as I hook my fingers under the remaining fabric. “Guess I got carried away.”

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