Page 43 of Mated To My Boss

I would've guessed that we were being followed by hunters, but they're extremely meticulous. They won't allow themselves to be seen—especially on numerous occasions.

The afternoon sun beats down through my window, fighting the air conditioning. This is a contrast that mirrors my internal conflict.

Maybe I should just run away.

Chapter 16

MADELINE

I sigh walking into the hospital. The atmosphere always repels me and this time is no different. A few staff rush past me with a patient on a stretcher and I stand aside, watching them go. A small trail of blood is soon mopped up by the cleaning staff.

The sight makes me squeamish even though I've seen far worse than that. I shiver heading to my aunt's private room. Aunt Cora is busy reading a book, peering through her reading glasses. She takes them off when I enter the room.

“Hey, Aunt Cora. How're you feeling?”

“You worry too much,” she says. “Remember, you don't need to come and check on me during work hours.”

I chuckle. “I've got a free day since my boss decided to go on an adventure.”

Aunt Cora gives me an odd look, but doesn't ask for further explanation. “Come sit down.” She pats the side of the bed and I join her.

“You look much better.”

“I feel better too,” she says. “Transforming during the full moon worked wonders on me.”

“I'm glad,” I reply. “What're you reading?” I take one look at the back of the book and laugh out loud. “No way.”

“I'm reading to relax.”

“You're reading a freaking postgrad law textbook? Who does that to relax?”

“You're in law school,” she reminds me. “Reading should be a part of you.”

“Yeah, but you aren't even feeling well and I'm sure you have this thing memorized by now.”

Aunt Cora rolls her eyes. “You didn't have to come and check on me. I don't want you coming here every free chance you get to scold me on my reading choices. You have your own life.”

“There's not much of it. This whole situation with Nate, it's …” I trail off, unsure what details I want to give my aunt.

“How's work going between both of you?” she asks.

“Perfect,” I reply. “That's the one good thing about this. Work hasn't been affected.”

She nods. “I've been hearing a lot of good things about your internship. I have no doubt you'll be back here once you're done with law school.”

I pause, thinking. “I'm not so sure about that. What's the point of staying around when my mate doesn't seem to want me.”

We hear a faint beeping sound coming from another room before some doctors rush there to attend to an emergency. Aunt Cora shakes her head, as if this is a regular occurrence.

“Is there anything you want me to get you?” I ask.

“More textbooks would be nice.”

The worst part is I know she's not joking. “Maybe not that.” I lean in like I'm about to tell a secret. “Is this like one of those shows on TV where the doctors are all sleeping together?”

“Madeline!”

“Come on, Aunt Cora. You have to know some details at least. You've been here long enough.”

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