Page 25 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

"It's in the garage. I got a lift with Em, but she's in classes until six, so I'm waiting for her."

"It's freezing, Saf. Let me drive you home. Just tell Em you got a lift back."

She smiles and nods, and we walk to my truck in silence as she fires off a text, presumably to her friend. I turn up the heat and the stereo as we drive, feeling like I'm going to shatter into a million pieces.

Chapter 12 - Zack

I swing the axe down repeatedly, setting a punishing rhythm as I work my way through the pile of timber. I expertly chop and stack, chop and stack until the pile of logs begins to fill my winter fuel stash. Every time I swing my shoulder back, my work shirt stretches until I think it might rip. Frustrated, I put the axe down at my side and pull the shirt over my head.

The morning frost is starting to last later into the day as the seasons shift, but I'm too busy and angry to care about the cold air hitting my skin. No one seems to care enough about clearing my name. Even Diego just keeps telling me to wait. All the while, the investigation moves at a snail's pace.

I don't understand why it's taking so long. I know I'm innocent, so how hard can it be to prove it? The thought of all that stolen money flowing into my account makes me feel sick. That people I've known all my life would think I'd do it for even a second makes me feel even worse.

I haven't even seen Tanya for a few days. A few texts here and there, but she seems distant, and who could blame her? She doesn't seem as easily led by her pack. She clearly still has some issues with them and doesn't follow the crowd, and she says she doesn't care about the rumors. But something is going on with her. With us.

Maybe I’m overthinking things. Maybe she’s just not that into me, or she thinks I'm too old. Hell, perhaps I am.

Now probably couldn't be a worse time to start a relationship, anyway. What happens if they decide I'm guilty? What if I can't prove my innocence?

The thought pulls me up, and I stop swinging my axe for a second as cold dread seeps through my veins. I already know what would happen. At best, I'd be banished. Alphas have been known to do far worse to traitors.

I resume my work, harder and faster than before. I smash the logs one after another, not wanting them to run out because I need to do something to release all of this frustration before I actually explode.

I pause as the security system beeps to alert me to a vehicle at the main gates, but then the system deactivates. Saffy must be back, though I wasn't expecting her until later.

I resume chopping the last few logs, almost disappointed that I've nearly filled the winter store. Keeping myself hidden away on the property these last few weeks has meant I've completed most of the season's preparations ahead of schedule. I need to keep myself busy at all times.

I'm about to swing my axe again when I see Tanya's truck coming around the bend. My brow furrows in confusion. There's no way she could have driven through the gates, but then my eyes focus on the passenger seat, where I see Saffy.

Confused, I throw my axe down and stroll to the front of the house to meet them. My heart rate picks up at the thought of seeing Tanya again.

The truck stops, and I can see them talking in the cabin. I can also see that Saffy’s upset about something.

What the hell?

"Saf, what's up? Where's Em?" I call to her as she rushes to the front door, barely looking at me.

"I don't want to talk about it," she says, opening the door. "I'm fine, I just don't want to talk."

I open my mouth to say something, but she slams the door behind her. I spin around to see Tanya standing by her truck, looking concerned.

"She doesn't look fucking fine," I snap, pausing when I see her flinch. "Sorry,” I say quickly. “Thank you for bringing her back, I guess. What happened?"

Tanya hesitates. "I think Saffy should tell you about it. I can't—I mean, I shouldn't divulge things from a student's conversation without asking them first. You understand?"

I want to yell at her and tell her to hell with that, but I just nod once, not wanting to say something I can't take back.

Tanya stands awkwardly by the truck, clearly unnerved by the anger and frustration rolling off me. "Are you okay?" she asks gently.

"No,” I say tersely. “No, I'm really not. And neither is Saffy." I walk back to the timber store, picking up my axe and putting it back on the rack. I start throwing the prepared logs into the store, aware that Tanya has followed me, but unable to turn around and let her see me in so much turmoil.

"She'll be okay, Zack," Tanya says quietly. "Kids can be cruel, but Saffy's a bright girl, and she's got you."

"I'm the problem, though, aren't I?" I snap. "At least, that's what everyone thinks."

She hesitates, and I sense there's something she wants to say.

"What is it? Something about Saffy?" I ask, even more concerned.

---