Page 66 of Mated To My Boss

“Well, that's when Nate and I caught the guy. He tried to attack us but Nate took him down.”

“Holy shit!” she exclaims. “How long has he been stalking you?”

“Since I got to town, I guess. I've been getting letters, and at first I thought it was a prank because they were dumb love confessions. They got worse, but I still didn't take them seriously.”

“No, Madeline. That's when you need to tell someone right away.”

“I know, I was dumb to ignore it,” I admit. “Nate already lectured me about this, but yeah, that's the whole story.”

“He's not a wolf, right?”

“Nope, he isn't.”

Hannah seems to breathe again. “That sounds intense. I'm glad the danger is over.”

I’m silent, reliving the episode.“Is it?”

Hannah's eyes flare. “What are you not telling me?”

It'll be safer if I just tell her.“Do you remember the trinket you gave me that night?”

“How could I forget? You acted like I was giving you a silver bullet.”

“Yeah …” I rub the back of my neck. “I'm sorry about that.”

“Maybe I'm the one who should apologize,” Hannah counters. “I can't just pass along things I find here at the store; someone may be looking for it. I’m not mention this, but I found a ring. When Nate came, he freaked out too. He said it smelled like gasoline and—”

“Gunpowder,” I finish.

“What's that about anyway?”

“The short story is the hunters lead me to come here; they smell exactly like that.”

The shock leaves Hannah frozen for a while.“What?”she whispers, frozen. “Why are you only telling me this now?”

“Because I didn't want you or anyone else to panic.”

“Of course I’m going to panic. This is a big deal. Are you saying hunters have been coming into my shop?” Hannah looks around as if trying to sniff one out.

“Hey,” I say, drawing her attention back to me. “Breathe, okay?”

Hannah takes a few deep breaths and sits back, trying to make sense of what she just heard. “Sorry, this is pretty creepy stuff.”

“You don't have to apologize, I'm the one dumping on you.” I try to focus on knitting to help keep my mind straight. “The guy who dropped the trinket, do you remember what he looked like?”

“No, but the smell will tip me off if anyone comes in smelling like that. I'll be on the lookout.”

“That's all I can ask. I don't think he’ll show up here again, but you can never be too sure.”

Hannah shakes her head. “Man, I can't wait until the full moon comes. I hate that we only get to enjoy one night. I'd love to transform for a whole week.”

I share her laughter. “Two days isn't far, but I understand what you mean.”

“How will this trip be for you and Nate?” Hannah asks. “Won’t it be awkward?”

I shrug. “I wouldn't know, I don't plan on being there.”

“What do you mean?” Hannah’s brow climbs, surprised.

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