Page 4 of Forbidden Virgin Mate

But she's still my little sister, and she can still drive me crazy. Considering the way she bosses me around my own house, I can't help but think she'll drive some poor guy just as crazy one day.

The thought of her living with some random guy makes my blood run a little cold. She may be eighteen, but that doesn't mean I want to start thinking about her dating. There were some high school boys she went out with, idiots Diego and I half-terrified. I laugh to myself at the memory of some of the poor boys' faces when they came by the house and were greeted by both their alpha and beta staring them down.

As funny as I find the memory, I can't help but consider that girl Tanya isn't that much older than Saffy. Was I completely crazy to ask her out? I mean, sheisolder than Saffy. She's a teacher. A graduate. Itisdifferent.

Isn't it?

Pulling off the mountain road onto my property, I feel the tension ease out of my body. This land was the first thing I bought when I got on my feet. I may have lived in an old trailer for the first couple of years, but gradually, the cabin took shape. It never fails to take my breath away as I turn the bend and see the stunning timber frame and glass structure. I built it with my own two hands and help from the community who stood by me in tough times. It's my place of peace.

I don't want to deal with Saffy's whining, so I unload the logs first and fire up the cylinders. My company was the first to bring biofuel technology to the mountains. At first glance, it probably doesn’t make sense for a logging company to use renewables, but the fact is, I love the forest. I know timber can be better used than for fuel. That doesn't mean I won't still use the burner when needed, though.

It's a fast and efficient system, so I can already hear it roaring to life as I disengage the security system and head into the cabin. I find Saffy at the kitchen island, her laptop on and books scattered everywhere.

"Did I not give you a study all to yourself so I wouldn't have this mess?" I ask, removing my jacket and heading to the sink to clean up.

"I like the light in here.” She shrugs and goes back to her screen.

"Teenagers," I mutter to myself as I rummage in the cupboard for the pancake pan. "What are you working on, anyway?"

"You wouldn't get it," she says absently, staring at the screen.

I bark an incredulous laugh. "I'm not a complete dinosaur, Saffy."

She looks at me dubiously for a moment but then seems to think better of calling me old. "I just mean it's technical. Basically, I'm running a demo of what I'd do to hack into my own bank account."

My mouth drops open. "You can't do that!" I exclaim, almost tripping over my words. "Is this really what they're teaching you? Hacking? Isn’t cyber-security supposed to be the opposite of that?"

Saffy rolls her eyes. "It's just a demo, silly. I just have to plan what I would do. Tanya says the best way to defend a system is to understand how and why it's vulnerable."

"I can see the sense in that, I guess." I allow, pausing as my thoughts turn to a certain blond teacher. "So your teacher, Tanya, she's showing you how to do all this?"

Saffy had returned her attention to the screen, furrowing her brow at something. "Um, yeah. She's pretty amazing. She was some cyber whiz kid back in San Fran. Rumor has it she lived in a fancy condo. Imagine swapping that for here."

Saffy's voice is laced with all the incredulity of a teenager who thinks her hometown has nothing to offer. Even though Saffy loves her pack, she’s still a normal kid.

"How come she was in the Bay Area if her family is with Mateo's pack?"

"Apparently," Saffy says in her best gossip-laced voice, "her parents were disavowed. Something to do with stolen money or land. Matthew, a guy in my class who’s from Saffy’s pack, told me his parents said Tanya’s been allowed to come back, but her parents are still banished. She’s apparently no longer in touch with them, though I thought once you were out, you were out.” She gives me a sharp look. “She's really lovely, though...weren't you talking to her at the fair? Are you fishing?"

I groan as I realize I now have Saffy's full attention, and her eyes are shining with mischief. I slide the plate of fresh pancakes and syrup over to her.

"We were just talking. She helped put the cakes out. That's it." I do not mention that I asked her out.

"Mmm," Saffy replies thoughtfully, suddenly looking older than her years. "You were talking to her for ages. Obviously, she's too young for you and not really your type..."

My fork clatters onto the plate. "I'm not that old. And she is my type, actually. I…"

I freeze mid-sentence as I realize my mistake. Sassy baited me, and I took it.

"I knew it! You like her!" Saffy cackles. "Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day."

I roll my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means. When was the last time you dated? And I don't mean that woman from Henry's bar." She pulls a face.

"This is none of your business, Saf," I say, throwing my dishes into the sink.

"It is if she's my teacher. I'm not sure I see you two together, anyway." She smirks.

---