Page 8 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

She looks from me to the shirt and rolls her eyes. "It's a black shirt you've had for years. It's not too fancy, just better than that one. Tanya grew up in the Bay Area. I'm sure she's used to a bit more style than the boys around here and their endless love of plaid."

I take the black button-up from her but make no move to change. "Tanya's from around here. I'm sure she likes plaid as much as the next wolf."

"Very funny," Saffy says dryly. "Anyway, she doesn't act like she's from around here."

I regard my sister for a moment. She's changed so much in the last couple of years. No longer a painfully shy, awkward teenager, she's blossomed recently, and it's really nice to see. A miracle, if I'm honest. The job at the store and now this college course have really helped bring her out of her shell.

"You really like Tanya, don't you?" I ask. "Is this weird for you, me taking her out? I don't have to, and it's just a drink."

The last thing I want is to make things weird for Saffy at college. Maybe this was a bad idea. Or maybe I'm just looking for excuses.

"Oh no! I'm not letting you back out of your first date in years over me." Saffy laughs, shaking her long red hair. "Yes, I like Tanya. I think she's having a hard time, too, so be nice to her, okay?"

My eyes flick up, my wolf stirring at the thought of Tanya going through difficulties. His reaction is bizarre, considering I don't even know this woman apart from a brief conversation and a couple of texts.

I try to play it cool but can't keep the interest out of my voice. "Why, what's wrong? Something I should know?"

Saffy sighs. "It's something to do with that thing with her parents. The mom of one of my college friends works at the store in her town. Apparently, Tanya went in, and his mom went off at her. He was really embarrassed about it and didn't even come in the next day. I guess folks over therereallydon't like her family."

I don't miss the look on Saffy's face. "Yeah, we know how that feels, right?" I say carefully. "Look, our pack’s gonna care much less about whatever history she has. I'm sure she'll enjoy the fair."

Saffy nods briefly, but her eyes look far away, and I know she's thinking about our rotten parents. I wish she wouldn't waste a single thought on them. If Tanya's having issues with her own parents’ history, Saffy and I could relate to that. Ours were the worst, and although the pack doesn't hold either of us responsible for our parents’ actions, I still feel the stench of their actions around us from time to time.

"You going to the fair?" I ask, not really wanting to run into my little sister when I'm on a date with one of her teachers.

"No, I'm at the store," she says, checking the time. "In fact, I'm going to be late. Wear the black shirt."

She gives me the briefest of hugs before rushing from the room. She's always running late for something, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Smiling, I pull on the black button-up.

I'd offered to pick Tanya up, and she’d taken me up on it. I climb into my truck and start the drive to her place.

Driving through Mateo's pack lands always makes me reflective. It seems like just yesterday, this place was my pack’s battleground. Now, the pack members are friends and co-workers. Our kids are at college together.

I'm proud of Diego for doing the right thing and uniting our packs, but my wolf still feels on high alert. Pulling up in front of Tanya's house, I suspect it's because I can feel eyes on me. The proverbial curtain twitch of the neighborhood watch.

I get out of the truck and am about to walk up the driveway when the front door opens. Tanya steps out of the cottage-style property, and my mouth goes dry. She's wearing a tight cropped jacket, tights, and boots that hug her body in all the right places. Her blond hair is swept up into some kind of elaborate messy bun with a few loose strands framing her beautiful face, and her long legs seem to stretch on forever. She looks like she just stepped out of a magazine cover—sexy and sophisticated. All I can do is stare as she comes down the path toward me, looking absolutely stunning.

"Hi there," she says with a smile, giving me a look that could melt ice.

My wolf stirs at the sight of her, and I suddenly understand how much trouble I'm in. I've never felt this visceral reaction to a woman before. I've never been bothered about finding my mate, but now the thought rushes through my mind as I stand there dumbfounded, staring at her.

"Erm, yeah, hi," I say before coughing, trying to brush the nervous feelings away. "You look great, by the way. Ready?"

She blushes, sending a wave of heat through my body. "Yeah, yeah. Let's go."

We climb into my truck, and as soon as I turn the key in the ignition, the radio kicks in, and soft rock music fills the air from my favorite station. Tanya raises an eyebrow at me, clearly amused by my taste in music.

I'm about to defend myself when she starts singing along, swaying to the music. I struggle to keep my eyes on the road as she belts out the lyrics. She knows all the words, and I can't help but smile. She looks so sexy. Part of me wants to join in, but I’m too transfixed by her.

I suddenly find myself wanting to reach over and touch her soft skin. My wolf is restless. Lacking any human finesse, all he wants is to lay claim to the beautiful woman whose proximity is driving us wild.

Instead, I try to focus on driving and keeping my eyes on the road. It's not easy. My mind plays an image of me pulling over and hauling her body against mine, kissing her until neither of us can breathe.

I grip the steering wheel tighter, hoping she doesn't notice.

"So, you're a rock fan, then," I tease when there's a lull between songs.

"I'm a music fan," she laughs, a little breathless from all her singing. "I like a bit of everything."

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