Page 48 of Mated To My Boss

I grab her hand and start running in the opposite direction. It's dark out now with very few people outside. Still, I managed to spot the car that has been haunting us for a while now. Its lights flash and the vehicle begins to barrel down the street.

“What's going on?”

“That car that's been following us, it's here!”

We turn and head down another street. This is a bad move because it's a smaller path with no people in sight.

I pull her along as we run past buildings with very little light in them. The car makes the turn, illuminating the entire area.

“Here!” I drag her into an alleyway. The car makes the turn and hits the building by the alley because it's too wide to fit through. Madeline and I run into a dead end.

I sniff the air immediately, expecting the smell of gasoline. Instead, I'm hit by the vague smell of cologne. A guy in a thick coat gets out of the car.

He slams the door so hard you can hear it break, but judging from the smoke coming out of the hood, a broken door is the least of his problems.

“Get away from her,” he threatens in a labored voice.

I turn to Madeline, clearly confused. “Do you know this guy?”

"No!" she replies, exasperated. "Do you think he's a hunter?" There's no fear in her voice, just analytical assessment of the threat. The Madeline I once knew would have been terrified, but this version of her is already thinking strategically.

“He's not,” I reply, with conviction.

The man vaults over the car and enters the alley. He stops and stares at us—Madeline, mostly. “I've been watching you since you arrived in town,” he says hoarsely. “That day you smiled atme at the bookstore. Do you even remember that? Our eyes met, and yours were so beautiful. And the way you looked at me—”

“What book store? I don’t even recognize this guy.”

“I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you. I followed you. I learned your name—Madeline. I learned who you hung out with. I learned abouthim…” He slices a vicious look at me and brings out a knife from his coat. “You should be with me, not him.”

So, he's a crazy stalker?

He brandishes a knife, waving it at both of us. My initial confusion diminishes and I move Madeline behind me. “Stay here.”

"Nate, be careful," she says firmly. I feel her shift behind me, positioning herself to act if needed. She isn't a damsel waiting to be saved; she's a partner allowing me to take point.

“Don't worry, this will be over quickly.” I take a step forward, watching the crazy man smile. “You don't deserve her.”

“I know,” I reply. “No one does.”

He lunges at me and I step to the side as his knife scraps my side, so superficial it heals instantly. The man twists before looking up with a smile on his face. His smile falters when he sees mine.

“What the fuck?” he says, as he looks at the knife. A small trail of blood on it. He lunges towards me again and I sidestep him and he misses completely.

“Enough of this,” I growl. I grip his hand with force, making him drop the knife. Fear fills his eyes as I gradually transform, letting my claws and fangs show.

“What the hell are you?”

“Someone you should never fuck around with.” I close a fist and punch him square in the face. He falls down, fully knocked out. I pull the knife from my body and drop it beside the unconscious man.

Madeline rushes to hug me, making sure I'm uninjured. The wound on my torso are already closed. up. "I'm so glad you're okay," she says.

She checks my injury with a practiced eye, her movements efficient rather than panicked.

"Next time, maybe dodge the knife," she says, her voice steady despite what just happened. "Being stab-proof doesn't mean you should test it."

“He's no match for me,” I reply. “He's just a crazy fan of yours, but he won't bother us again. Call the police.”

Madeline brings her phone out and does as I ask. Minutes later, they arrive at the scene.

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