Page 1 of Claiming His Virgin Mate

Prologue

“Maggie?”

“Yes?” Maggie turned her head away from the pile of books she was using while researching her thesis.

“You have a phone call,” Bobby, the young librarian whispered and motioned for her to come to his desk.

Scranton Public Library was usually busy and full of college kids. She was so close to finishing grad school in software development. All her life, she’d spent more time on computers than with real people.

It started out innocently enough with gaming and chat rooms. Later, she’d been full on obsessed with the roleplaying world ofWolfMoonand the fact the inventor lived in her hometown.

Maggie had been promised a job by Randall Graves himself whenever she wanted, but she opted to finish school first. It took her longer than usual, since there was no money waiting for her to go.

Oh no. Unlike most of her friends whose parents had saved and collected little nest eggs for their teens when they’d graduated high school, Maggie had to work her way through college.

Fast food restaurants were her go to, but she also had jobs delivering newspapers, walking dogs, tutoring, and babysitting. She wasn’t afraid of hard work.

It always occurred to her, the harder she worked now, the less she would have to as she got older, right? Anyway, she was so close now. And maybe, after she saw the world a bit, she’d find the one job she really wanted.

No children?The sad little voice inside her that sometimes spoke up when she was feeling a certain way distracted her for a moment. But she pushed it away.

Some people were not meant to have families. Maybe she was one of them. After all, how many almost thirty-year-old virgins were walking around Pennsylvania? Never mind Maccon City. Not that she was going there anytime soon. She snorted and cleared her throat quickly to cover it up.

No. This was her life as it was supposed to be. Away from her mother, who’d always seemed to resent Maggie for having had her so young. Like it was her fault her mom got pregnant in high school.

As for her absentee father, well, she’d tried once to be in his life. It didn’t exactly work out. Maggie shook her head, wondering why her thoughts had turned melancholy while following Bobby to his desk.

She hardly noticed the crowds that filled the library this time of year anymore. Still, this was odd. She’d never known anyone to call looking for her. What was wrong with her cell phone?

“Hello,” she spoke into the receiver.

“Miss Margaret Flint?” a somber voice asked.

“Yes, I’m Margaret Flint,” she said, her stomach clenching in dread.

“Miss Flint, my name is Kurt Lowell, with Macconwood Law Associates,” he continued, “I was your father’s lawyer.”

“Was?” she asked, her tension becoming unbearable.

“Yes, Miss Flint,” he paused a moment, “I am very sorry to have to inform you that there was a car accident, and your father did not survive.”

“He’s dead?”

“Yes, miss, I am very, very sorry.”

“Was he alone? What about Joelle?”

“He was out with his wife, Debra. They are both deceased. Your sister-”

“Half-sister,” she murmured.

“Apologies,” he said, “Yourhalf-sisteris fine. She was home at the time.”

“I see.”

“Miss Flint, you are named in the will as Joelle’s legal guardian and there is a substantial amount of information to go over, including your father’s business. The hotel property and the remaining mortgage. When can you be back in town?”

“What? I’m sorry, I just, Can you say that again?”

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