Page 39 of Mated To My Boss

“No judgment here,” Olivia says, “but can you handle being without your mate?”

I sigh. “It's not like it's going to be all night. We'll meet when we get there.”

Olivia shrugs and gets in beside me. The ride is just as uncomfortable as expected. My instincts are heightened and I look for him, but I get through it with light conversation and laughter, until I get to the IronFangs land.

Nate is waiting for me there, clearly annoyed. He leans back on Graham's car, waiting for me to exit mine. “Did you have fun?” he asks as I approach.

“It was great,” I lie. He sees through this immediately, but doesn't address it.

“I'm glad you had your fun, but from now till the end of the night, you're going to be with me. I can't have you wandering off.”

“Isn't this place supposed to be safe?” I query.

"I'm not keeping you close because of safety," Nate replies. "I'm keeping you here because I don't want other wolves coming near you." He places an arm around my waist and pulls me in. "Stay close."

My breath hitches, but I try not to let him know the effect he's having on me. "I'll think about it.” I appreciate his honesty, at least.

There's something refreshingly straightforward about his possessiveness compared to his usual denial of our bond. But acknowledging our connection shouldn't mean surrendering my autonomy.

“I'm going to find a room.” I move from his grasp. “Do you want to follow me there too?”

“Where you sleep doesn't matter,” he responds. “It's not like we're sleeping in the house tonight.”

The house is a huge structure with more than enough rooms for everyone. I see a few people I've never seen in the office. They greet some of the guests, but I walk past, not expecting to talk to anyone.

I stroll through the house until I see the room Olivia and Rose have put their bags in. They laugh loudly, only quieting down when I enter.

“There she is,” Olivia says. “I was just asking Rose why I'm the one you guys keep using as a way to avoid your mates.”

“He wasn't my mate then,” Rose corrects.

“Does it matter?”

“True, true,” Rose acknowledges.

I roll my eyes and go to the only free bed. “Sometimes I need to make him miss me,” I explain.

Both girls nod understandingly. “He's going to be all over you while we're here though,” Rose points out. “Your scent will be like a drug to him given how heightened our senses are now.”

“He's not the only one being affected,” I moan, covering my face. “What's the balance here?”

Rose chuckles. “I'm the worst person to ask. I couldn't find balance if my life depended on it.”

We look at Olivia, who shrugs. “How should I know? I'm still waiting on my love story.”

The mindless chatter continues without me as I try to keep my mind on other things. Eventually, daylight becomes a memory and we all make our way toward the front of the house.

Rose introduces me to a few wolves, but I don't keep any of their names in mind, already knowing I won't be around much longer if things continue on the path they're on.

I feel an arm around me just before Rose is about to introduce me to a guy.

The familiar comfort tells me that Nate’s behind me without even having to turn around. Add to this, Graham shows up and makes a similar move on Rose before ushering her outside.

“I was beginning to think I wouldn't see you,” Nate's smooth voice tickles me all over. He spins me to face him. “The group shifting is about to start, are you ready?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Good. The main entrance is going to be packed. We'll pass through a side door, come on.”

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