Page 79 of Mated To My Boss

“A week?” I croak. “What day is it?”

“You've already missed the full moon,” Nate says. “You were too weak to transform, but I'm glad that's over now.”

I'm not even sure how to ask the questions that are in my mind, so I stay silent. The doctor does a quick physical exam before getting ready to leave.

“If there's anything out of the ordinary, just call me back in, okay?”

“Will do,” Nate says. “Thank you.”

Dr. Gordon gives a nod and goes to his next patient. Nate returns to sit beside my bed. “We can do a week,” he says.

“But you have to work.”

Nate waves it off. “I'm going to be with you every single day you're here.” He kisses my hand again, making me smile without even meaning to.

“What about Aunt Cora?”

“She's back to normal,” he says. “I'm supposed to call her now that you're awake, but she's been checking in.”

“Was it wolfsbane that made her sick, too?” I inquire.

“Yeah, but it's a little more complicated than that. I'm not sure why the hunter attacked her, though. It was pretty clear that his sights were set on you.”

“I do,” I reply. “I understand why he attacked my aunt. During the initial assault on my pack, his uncle, who is also a hunter, was injured. He later died from those injuries.”

“Oh … a revenge mission.” Nate grips my hands again, holding them tightly. “Um … there's something I have to tell you.”

“What?” I ask, frowning. His tone sounds like it's going to be bad news.

“I didn't want to say this now, but I know you'll be upset with me if I don't tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Madeline, Henry got to your friends at the store. He killed them.”

“No!” I exclaim. “Nate, that's a terrible joke. Hannah and Lucca are alright, aren't they?”

“I'm sorry,” he whispers as I try to pull my hand away. He holds it close to him. “I'm so very sorry, love.”

Tears start to fall. They slide down my face on their own as my heart tightens. There's a knot in my chest that I fear may never go away.How could this happen to my friends?

“Where is he? Where's Henry?”

“I killed him,” Nate says. “He'll never bother us again.”

I cry freely now, sobbing out loud. Nate gets up and sits on the bed beside me, holding me close to him.

He patiently lets me bawl into his chest. We stay that way so long, I lose track of time. Eventually, all the crying tires meenough to fall asleep. I'm out for a long time because night has fallen when I wake up again.

Just like before, Nate is sleeping in the chair next to me holding my hand. The door opens, and my aunt comes in, looking much better than the last time I saw her.

“How the tables have turned,” she makes an ironic joke.

“Aunt Cora,” I smile, genuinely happy to see her. Although there's still a lingering sadness in me, seeing my aunt up and around again genuinely improves my mood.

“How are you, my dear?” she asks softly as she sits closer to us. She sits at the side of the bed opposite Nate. My mate remains asleep peacefully, untouched by our conversation.

“I'm okay,” I reply quietly.

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