Page 76 of Mated To My Boss

“Come on out,” Henry calls, poised to shoot at the slightest movement. “You can't save her by hiding. You love Madeline, don't you? Step out and pay for her sins.”

I grab a large rock beside me and hurl it high into the air. It lands in the distance and leads Henry that way.

“You can't hide for—”

I jump on the hunter from behind, trying to sink my fangs into his shoulder. Whatever his clothes are made of, they absorb most of the impact from my bite.

He shakes me off and tries to fire, but I slam my claws into the gun with all my strength. The weapon falls to the ground in front of us.

Henry brandishes a knife. “You think I'm afraid of you, an animal?”

I growl at him, baring my fangs. He swings wildly, clearly blinded by rage. I dodge the first swing, but quickly realize there's only one way to get closer.

I leap point-blank into the hunter's face. He stabs me in the gut, but I'm close enough to sink my fangs into the side of his head.

“Ahh!” He lets out a blood-curdling scream as I break into his skull. The hunter's lifeless body drops to the ground and so do I.

The knife blade is deep in my side, almost to the hilt. I rush back to Madeline, finding her unconscious. I slowly change to human form, realizing my mate is far too weak to do the same.

I hold her in my arms, realizing that she's barely breathing. “Madeline, today is not your day. Don't you dare die on me.” My head lowers to her chest, listening for her heartbeat. “Madeline please, you can't leave me now.”

There's still no response. She lies lifeless in my arms. My face burns as hot tears course down, blurring my vision.

“Madeline, you have to come back to me.I love you.”The confession is more genuine than any words I've ever said. I try to pull at the golden string that connects us through our bonds. “I love you. I want to be with you. Don't you dare leave me now. Madeline!”

She suddenly chokes for air, taking big gasps. Her chest rises and falls again and her eyes only open briefly before closing again.

“You're alive,” I say, laughter and tears mixing together. I hold her close, careful not to hurt her further, and act immediately. “I'll get you out of here.” I pick her up and settle her over my shoulders. My leg hurts like hell, but I push through the pain. “Don't worry, you'll be safe soon.”

I drag myself and Madeline through the woods, making sure to always pause and check to make sure she's breathing. We continue trudging through the woods, until finally we’re out of there. At that point, I don't care if we're seen; I just want to get her to safety.

Thankfully, it's too late at night for anyone to be outside when I reach the street where I parked my car. I help my mate into the car before getting into the driver's seat and breathe properly for the first time all night.

I glance at the phone next to me and notice a message from the alpha. I almost call him, but I decide to check what the text says first.Are these directions?Directions to Grant's house here in the city? I call him immediately. Luckily, he answers quickly. “Nate, are you guys okay?”

“No, we need a doctor!” I beg him. “Find someone! I think Madeline's been poisoned! Please, send someone!

“I'll send someone right away,” he promises. “Take her to my house and stay there. The doctor will meet you.”

I send a quick prayer of thanks to Grant and speed away. I hastily follow the directions leading me through the city. After almost half an hour driving, Iwe arrive at Grant's house.

The large front gate is already open, so I drive into the compound and park directly in front of the house. I open the back door and carefully lift Madeline out.

I take her to the living room and lay her flat on a couch. She still struggles, but at least she's breathing. I grab hold of her paw. “I'm here, my love.”

She opens her eyes and looks at me. Her breathing settles. She closes her eyes as if in pain, before slowly transitioning into human form. In just over a minute, she's back to her human form.

“Thank God!” I cry, pulling her into my arms. “I thought I lost you.” This time, the tears that flow are due to joy. “Thank you for coming back to me.”

She runs a high fever, but now I can see her facial expressions more clearly.

“Nate …” Madeline's voice is hoarse. Grant brings a bottle of water, and I tilt her head help her drink it.

She swallows all of it, which seems to help, so Grant brings another, just in case. “I thought I lost you,” I confess. I hold her hand to my lips and kiss it. “I love you, Madeline. Please, don't do anything like this again.”

“It got you to confess, didn't it?” she whispers, cracking a weak smile, but her smile quickly turns to small sobs. “I knew I was going to die.”

I hold her close. “I'd never let anything like that happen to you.”

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