Page 80 of Mated To My Boss

Aunt Cora puts her hand on my forehead. “The fever isn't as bad as before. I could've used you to make coffee, you were initially so hot.”

I chuckle. “Should you be drinking coffee so early after leaving the hospital?”

“Should you be giving advice when you're in a hospital bed?” she retorts.

I break out into an even bigger smile. “I've missed you so much. It's nice to see you moving around again.”

“I'm glad, too. I've spent so much time in that bed, but I still wobble occasionally. What did the doctor tell you?”

“That I'm lucky to be alive. Apparently, I ingested a lot of wolfsbane, but I threw it up and Nate got to me quickly.” I place my hand on his hair, careful not to wake him.

“We’re thankful for him, then. I'm glad he got to you in time. It's been a crazy couple of weeks.” Aunt Cora rests her hand on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “I'm sorry about your friends.”

“I tried to warn them,” I sigh. “Maybe I should've done more.”

“There wasn't more to do,” she insists. “You did what you could and it has nothing to do with you.”

“Henry came all this way because of me. He even tried to get to you.”

“Then it's a good thing he didn't finish the job. I'll admit, a mix of wolfsbane and silver is new, but in the end, I survived. He couldn't take me out and now we won't have to worry about him ever again,” Cora said.

I let out a very long sigh. “Yeah …”

“There's some good news, though,” my aunt says, smiling at me.

“Please tell me. I need some of that right now.”

“I spoke with your doctor, and we figured out how to get you out of the hospital a bit sooner."

“Really?” I ask with wide eyes. “How?”

“Even after you leave here, you'll still be pretty weak. I convinced Dr. Gordon to let you stay at my place so I can personally take care of you. He agreed to let you leave a few days earlier than usual.”

“Madeline should stay with me,” Nate suddenly says, lifting his head. He clears his throat. “Um … it would be best because you're still recovering, Cora. It may be too tasking for both of you.”

“Nate Barlow,” Aunt Cora chastises him. “Don't you know better than to eavesdrop on a private conversation?”

“Sorry,” he apologizes, “but you know I'm right. Besides, she's my mate, so I think I'm the most qualified person to take care of her.”

My aunt looks at me. “What do you think, dear? Would you like to stay with Nate?”

“He seems pretty eager so why not?” I laugh.

He's acknowledging me as his mate!

Chapter 31

NATE

“Ben, this is Madeline,” I say, introducing the building maintenance superintendent to her. “Madeline, this is Ben.” He nods and smiles before returning to work.

“That's the fourth person you've introduced me to,” she laughs. “I feel like a tourist.”

“I want you to get comfortable being here,” I tell her before we step into the elevator. “I moved into this place a few months ago because I wanted a real change in my life. If I had known, I would've just waited for you to arrive. You've definitely turned my life on its head.”

“I'll take that as a compliment,” Madeline beams.

“Oh, it is.” I pull her into a long kiss that ends only when the elevator doors open.

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