The Alpha's Virgin Prize (Mated for Life 1)

Reese pulled out a pristine white shirt. The kind he didn’t like to wear as they stained way too easily.

“I’m not wearing that.”

“You want to make a good first impression? This is it,” Reese said. “No woman wants a slob.”

“I’m going to look too obvious in this.”

“Dude, you’re not just doing this for yourself but for the good of the entire pack. Not all of us want to be eligible bachelors for the rest of our lives. Look at me. I want a wife, kids, and I want to be happy,” David said.

“You’re trying to tell me you’re not happy?”

“No, I could definitely be happier.” David swatted at some lint on the shoulder of his shirt.

“Boys, back off. I can do this,” Caleb said. He wasn’t chasing after this woman because of his pack. She was his mate and he couldn’t let this opportunity pass.

“So you know that you’re always supposed to be nice,” Reese said. “Don’t treat her like you treat us.”

“Compliment her hair. Not her ass. A woman’s ass never looks big. Never. You have to remember that,” Brian said.

“And don’t watch her eat either. Women get self-conscious about that. Staring is rude.” This came from David.

He was done with all of their worrying and advice.

“I can do this. Now back off. Trust me. I can do this.”

His men looked doubtful but he wasn’t going to allow them to get to him. He’d been on plenty of dates before and this was going to be the first of many with Bethany.

Dressed in a pair of jeans and a white shirt, which seemed way too out of place for him, he made his way to his truck.

“Remember, be cool,” Reese said.

He ignored him, turned the ignition over, and was gone. He didn’t need to listen to these men, not anymore. He wasn’t a child and could handle a single date.

Bethany had promised to meet him at the diner where she worked. She wouldn’t allow him to pick her up at the boarding house. Did she not want him to know where she lived? He couldn’t understand why.

Driving into town, he ran a hand down his thigh.

He wasn’t going to drag her off to his home and mate her there and then. This had to take time, finesse. There had been plenty of wolf-human matings. They all took a little more handling. He could do it.

It didn’t feel like it would be easy, though. With Bethany still working with that fucking bear, it was going to get complicated.

He didn’t like the thought of her being near a creature with so much potential to get out of control. He’d heard the myths about rogue bears. She wasn’t safe with anyone else except for him, but he didn’t know how to communicate that to her. Could he offer her a job? Give her a reason to constantly come to his place? They all cleaned up after themselves so a housekeeper wasn’t right. Nor was a cook. He could cook and with the amount of food they consumed on a daily basis, she would ask questions, no doubt about it.

Don’t think about it. Just drive.

“It’s one date,” he said out loud.

He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he came into the parking lot to catch Joe speaking with Bethany.

His woman looked tense and he didn’t like that. He wanted to slaughter the bastard, but he kept his cool. Starting a war with the bears right now would be stupid. He needed to know how many he was dealing with.

“Caleb,” she said.

“Bethany.” He approached her, taking hold of her hand and kissing it. “It’s a pleasure.”

Her cheeks reddened and there was a spice in the air. Smirking, he turned to Joe.

“Joe,” he said.

“Caleb.”

Joe held his hand out and he wanted to sneer. Instead, he gripped the man’s hand. If Joe had been human, with the strength he was displaying, his hand would have been crushed. As it was, there was not even a single twitch.

“I didn’t think you were working today,” Caleb said. He recalled yesterday Joe saying he’d see her on Monday.

“I saw her standing outside all on her lonesome and figured she needed some company.”

“I’m here now.”

“No rush. How about I get you two some coffee?” Joe said.

He shook his head. “That won’t be necessary.” He took Bethany’s hand. “Are you ready?”

“Er, yes, of course, if you are.”

“I’m ready.”

He was done listening to this fucker and he knew without a doubt Joe was doing this on purpose. He had to stay on his guard at all times.

“Bye, Joe. See you Monday,” she said. As they walked away, she said, “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine. I just … I thought you didn’t like that guy,” Caleb said.

She frowned. “I never said anything about liking him or not.” She tilted her head to the side. “How did you know?”