Page 4 of Claiming His Virgin Mate

As he should be, Alex’s Tiger had reminded him.

He acknowledged the fact with a resigned shake of his head. Violet was a wonderful woman. A real triple threat. She was warm-hearted, beautiful, and brilliant. The entire Pride was besotted with her.

Alex was proudly among those who’d vowed to serve the new Nari with every bit of the same loyalty, devotion, and respect he held for Dean. Violet was absolutely perfect for their Neta.

As Dean’s right-hand man and the Pride Beta, Alex Kensington was the second highest ranking Tiger Shifter in the whole damn Pride. And yet, he’d been scolded like an errant cub by his Neta only a day ago.

Grrr, his Tiger had pushed him in the confines of Dean’s office, but there was no way he’d ever challenge the man. He was simply too good.

The best, really. And Alex had no desire whatsoever to try and best him in battle. Neither did he want to rule the Pride.

He loved his job. ISP Inc was an international conglomerate made up of dozens of companies, all leaders in their industries. They dabbled in just about everything. Imports, exports, farming, beauty products, sustainable fishing, environmentally conscious power companies, leaders of the hospitality industry, computer software development, and the like.

Alex was on the board of more than two-thirds of the parent companies that made up ISP Inc. He’d been a part of Dean’s work since the man had come into his power, and together they’d tripled the old Neta’s empire.

He had degrees in business management, finance, economics, and ethics. And just for the fun of it, he held a Masters’ degree in English lit with a specialty in Shakespearean sonnets. The last made him a hit with the ladies, if he did say so himself. He thought back to his conversation with his Neta and frowned.

“It is important to Violet that I invest in her hometown, Alex,” Dean had cut off his rolling growl, and Alex finally lifted his eyes to the man.

“Okay, so we’ll donate some funds for a park or beach clean-up-”

“No, my friend,” Dean shook his head. “I am afraid my bride has requested a different sort of investment. You see, a friend of hers from high school is currently in some trouble. Here is the file,” he extended a hand holding a large manilla folder.

“The Sunset Inn? Dean, what is this?”

“Say hello to our newest acquisition,” Dean smiled.

Alex had instantly recognized it as Dean’s trademarkdo-not-fuck-with-mesmile. He was a pretty smart guy. But in that moment, looking down at that photograph of the rundown establishment, he’d had to wonder if having sex on the regular wasn’t addling his Neta’s brain.

“I want you to personally go down, see to the finalization of the loan transfer. Then fire the manager who ran the place into the ground. And last, make it better.”

“Make it better? How? Bomb the place? It’s a fucking dump, Dean,” he growled, and shook his head.

The place was nowhere near the type of business ISP touched. What the fuck was going on with Dean?

“I guess so, Alex, fucking bomb the place then,” said Dean in a deceptively calm voice, “but when you’re done, it won’t be a dump anymore. Will it?”

“You can get someone else to do this, Dean. I have other business to attend-”

“Alex,” he’d closed his eyes.

Clearly, his patience had run out, even so, Alex had to push him a bit farther, “I want you to see to the renovations personally.”

“But Dean-”

“I said,” snarled the Neta before his voice returned to its previous calm, “I want you to do it.”

“Yes, Neta,” Alex growled, baring his throat, and averted his gaze to the marble tiled floor.

Alex shook his head. There was nothing else to be done. This was his task, and he would see it through to the end. He looked at the doorknob and shook his head again.

Fucking hell. He fisted his hand and punched a hole through the glass, effectively breaking the pane just above the knob. He’d just finished breaking away the remaining glass so he could reach inside unscathed, when suddenly, he was covered in something sticky and wet.

“What the?” he growled, then stopped before the sludge could enter his mouth.

When he found the person who’d slimed him, Alex was gonna tear the dude a new one.

Grrr.

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