Page 49 of Mated To My Boss

Chapter 18

MADELINE

This is not how I expected Nate to see my apartment for the first time. Still, it's what I get. I open the door and enter, with Nate right beside me.

He pauses at the door, letting me take off my shoes before I enter the apartment. In the living room I collapse onto the couch. He takes the cushion next to me, which surprises me a bit but still makes me feel safe.

“Welcome to my home,” I announce, spreading my arms wide. I almost hit him in the face, but the man's reflexes are too sharp for that. He ducks out of the way before returning to his normal sitting position like nothing happened.

“This is a nice place,” he remarks. “It's really cozy.”

“Next, we'll see what your place looks like.”

Nate gives me an unreadable look that tells me I've given him a lot to think about. I lean back on the couch and stare up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath. I'm physically and mentally exhausted at this point, and hope to drift off to sleep.

Unfortunately, my luck won't permit it. Memories of our night start to replay in my mind. My heart nearly bursts from my chest, and now there's a dull throbbing pain.

Nate notices it. “I'll be right back.”

I watch as he walks away for a minute, and returns with a glass of water. He hands it to me, and I down it. After the drink, I feel less anxious.

“You said you don't know that guy,” Nate says.

“I really don't, I swear.”

“I believe you. I'm not asking about him. You were scared tonight though, like you were expecting something bad to happen. You were edgier than normal. What aren’t you telling me?”

I close my eyes and face the ceiling once more. I feel drowsiness tugging at my mind, urging me to give in.

“Things weren't easy for me after you left,” I start. “I was lost, I was hurt and worst of all, I was lonely. After forming my bond with you, no one in the pack could even come close to comparing. So I went outside of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I made human friends,” I explain. “There was one that I was far closer to than the other. We were in high school together and we graduated together. He ended up having to leave for some sort of tech school.”

“Tech school?”

“That's what he said. It never added up to me. He always wanted to be a mechanic and then graduation came and that dream flew out the window in a flash.”

“Is he related to the guy we saw today?”

I shake my head. “No, not at all. At least, I don't think so. My friend and I lost touch quickly. I could never get hold of him and it just felt like I had been left again.”

Nate gives me all his focus, which makes me feel better. It's nice to know I have his full attention.

“That night the pack was attacked,” I continue, “the hunters wore masks. We couldn't see them, but there was this lingering smell—gasoline and—”

“Gunpowder,” Nate finishes the sentence.

“Yes. How'd you know?”

“That's what I've been told the hunters smell like. I haven't encountered them yet so I wouldn't know.”

“That's exactly right. Of course, I fought back, but I was no match for their protective gear. I managed to bite one of their hands, but that was it.”

“You've always had a fighter’s spirit,” Nate compliments me. I nod and thank him with a smile.

“About a week later, I bumped into my friend. I was thrilled to see him until I got close and was taken aback by the smell of gasoline and gunpowder.”

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