Page 12 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

Chapter 6 - Zack

Hi Tanya, I hope y-

My fingers hover over the keys before deleting the message. Again. I put the phone down next to my coffee, picking up the cup to take a long sip while I run through possible messages in my head.

I don't want to sound too eager, even though that's exactly how I feel.

Damn. This woman has me tied up in knots, and I'm not used to it. Sure, I like dating, but prefer to keep things casual. For years, I've had Saffy to think of, and after everything she'd been through, it never felt right to bring someone home if it wasn't serious. And it never felt serious.

I’ve certainly never struggled to send a simple text before. But then, I've never driven away after a date as turned on and confused as the other night.

The moment just seemed right, and I'd taken a chance by kissing her. What I hadn't expected was the passion and primal urge that followed. My wolf was totally on board with the idea of taking her there and then in the truck, he was pushing and riding me to do it. To mark her as mine.

Those signs did not point to a casual hook-up. I'm not stupid; I know I'm in true mate territory. I've never been bothered about finding my mate—I'm not even fully sure I believe in the concept. However, after seeing Diego with Quinn, I'm slightly more open to the idea than I was before. After all, I've never seen my alpha and best friend happier.

I know I need to see Tanya again, but now I'm more nervous. What if she doesn't feel the same? I've never felt nervous over a woman.

I groan and pick up my phone, open our last text exchange, and try again.

A few minutes and three deleted drafts later, I'm almost ready to throw my phone across the kitchen when my security system alerts me to a vehicle approaching. There's only one person, other than Saffy, who has authorization to bypass the intercom at the gates and drive straight up. Diego.

Thank God,I think, grateful for the distraction. I toss my phone back on the kitchen island and head out to meet my friend as he pulls up in front of the cabin.

I step down and greet my best friend with a hug. Not many would dare embrace their alpha, and although I know better than anyone not to risk his wrath, our friendship goes well beyond the alpha/beta relationship. Diego stood by me when everything went to shit, long before he became alpha. He never judged me for my parents’ sins, even when I knew some in town did. I'm proud to be his beta.

He slaps me on the back in greeting. "Saffy had better have some of those breakfast rolls from the store today."

I laugh. "Don't tell me you're not well-fed at home, Diego. Quinn's the best cook around these days."

"I'll have you know I'm damn fine in the kitchen, too," Diego says but relents. "But she is something else. Can’t pass up those breakfast rolls you always have here, though."

I nod. He's right, after all. Those breakfast rolls are amazing, and Saffy keeps us well-stocked after her shifts at the store. "Come on, there will be some in the kitchen," I say.

Grinning, Diego follows me back into the house. "So, what brings you out here this morning? Not just the rolls? Thought we were meeting at the gym?" I hand him a fresh coffee and look for the rolls.

Diego nods his thanks, taking the coffee. He hesitates, looking serious. I suddenly get the feeling this is more than a social call.

"I was doing the admin last night. Not my strong suit, you know," he says, rolling his eyes. "Quinn’s on me to hire someone to free up more time, but we've always managed it between us. Anyway, and I don't know quite how to say this, but that money raised for the new stand? It's gone."

I practically spit my coffee out, my mind reeling. Of all the things I thought he was going to say, something like this is unimaginable. "What do you mean? Gone?" I sputter. "All of it? There was over twenty thousand dollars!"

Diego raises his hands to calm me. "I know, I know. I had exactly the same reaction. Honestly, if I wasn’t trying to keep the baby asleep last night, I would have raised the roof." He stands and paces with the coffee still in his hand. "But Quinn put me right—she always does. It can't just be gone; it's got to be a mistake. Money doesn't vanish from accounts. We just need to figure it out."

I take a deep breath, knowing he's right. "We need to figure it out before anyone else realizes it's gone. Folks will be devastated. People worked hard for that new stand."

It's true—the community fundraising and sponsorship deals have been months in the making. The new stand was poised to be the crowning glory of the new town pavilion.

I sigh, running a hand over my stubble. The only people with regular access to the account are Diego and me.

"Well, we haven't moved the money, so it must be a mistake with the bank," Diego mutters.

"Let's take a look," I say, grabbing my laptop from the side. "I'm sure it's fine."

I try to sound positive as I log in, struggling to dampen the nausea taking hold at the thought of telling the pack we've misplaced their money. Nothing like this has ever happened before.

Diego tucks into his breakfast roll and puts on another pot of coffee while I log into the pack business accounts. We have our own accounts, plus a new charity account linked to Silverstar pack. As part of our joint venture to ensure a lasting peace between the packs, several charities have been formed to help members of both packs. It's something we're all proud of.

I scan the main fundraising account, and my eyes can't believe what they're seeing. Diego is right. The account is twenty thousand dollars down, and I can see it's been transferred. I don't recognize the account it’s been transferred to, but I flick through the other accounts just in case I've missed something.

---