Page 36 of Claiming His Virgin Mate

“You paid her with a sixty-thousand-dollar vehicle?”

“The data was priceless, kit.”

“Really? And what was it about?”

“Come on, a man has to have some secrets.”

“I see, and would my sister have given you some of mine, maybe?” she narrowed her eyes at him.

“That is a distinct possibility, but I assure you I intend to use the knowledge only for good, kit,” he winked.

“Okay. Where to now, Mr. Money-bags?”

“Awe, kit, don’t be like that,” he had the grace to blush at least.

“I’m teasing,” she smiled, and he could tell it was genuine, not forced, “I would never tell you what to do with your money. Besides, I am sure Joelle is thrilled. Now, care to tell me whatdatashe gave you.”

“Sorry, kit,” he cleared his throat, “that’s classified.”

“I bet.”

He pulled up to the empty lot beside the brand-new Oasis sign that graced the corner of the hotel, and she frowned, wondering what he was up to.

“What are we doing here?”

“It’s a surprise,” he offered her his hand, and helped her out of the car.

Tiny spikes of pleasure zipped up and down his spine at the slight contact, and his Tiger chuffed in anticipation as he led her to the beach path he’d had cleaned and marked through the sand dunes that gave way to a section of protected lands owned by the local Pack.

Rafe Maccon was a fierce protector of the beaches and wild lands in South Jersey. Something his mate passionately believed in, and Alex supported wholeheartedly.

“What is this?” she exclaimed when they arrived at the setup, he’d planned for her when she’d been dressing earlier that evening.

Alex smiled as he watched Maggie kick off her heels, and amble towards the gossamer fabric that floated in the breeze, hanging from the frame of the private wooden cabana he’d had erected.

She looked like a nymph freshly risen from the sea. The layers of her dress flapped around her body as she spun in a circle to face him, framing her curves in midnight blue.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, struggling for air.

It felt like his heart was caught in a vise. Truth? Fuck yeah. She was glorious. Standing there, all soft and glowing, bathed in the silvery light from the full moon. Maggie’s honeyed curls shone, as did her sparkling hazel eyes, as she blinked up at him.

Without her shoes, she was nearly a foot shorter, but to him, she was perfect. Alex did not want to move. He feared breaking the spell, but she called to him. He wanted her. Couldn’t stay away if he tried. And that was something he did not want, ever.

Mine, his Tiger chuffed.

Eyelids lowered as she looked him over from head to toe, and the caramel scent of her arousal tickled his nostrils. Yes, he wanted her.

Like the Cat he was, he moved easily over the sand. But before he could touch her, that wanton look in her eyes was replaced by something else. He recognized the look and his Tiger roared in fury.

“Alex,” she doubled over in pain, but before she fell to the ground, he was there.

Scooping her up in his arms, Alex laid her down on the chaise lounge inside the cabana.

“Maggie,” he called to her, but she was lost to whatever was going on.

Pain. That was all that registered. His mate was hurting, and he didn’t know what the fuck to do about it. He grabbed his cell and called the one person who might be able to help.

“This is Dean,” his Neta’s voice soothed his agitated beast, and quickly he told him what was happening.

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