Page 71 of Mated To My Boss

What’s wrong with me?

I try to run, but my legs feel like noodles left in water way too long. I struggle to put one foot in front of the other until my body gives up completely.

I shut down in the middle of the woods, with the world vanishing before my eyes.

Chapter 27

NATE

“Jesus, Nate. What is this?” Graham asks, walking up behind me. Since I discovered the bodies of Hannah and Lucca,

I've been almost paralyzed. My legs don't even feel like they're part of me. My fear for Madeline's life has increased tenfold and all I care about now is finding her safe and sound.

Luckily, Graham answered when I called. Now, he confirms that what I see in front of me isn't some sort of sick joke—it's a real murder scene.

“Do you know who did it?”

I nod, finally getting feeling back in my body. “Do you smell that?” I ask. “The mix of gasoline and—”

“Gunpowder,” he finishes. “They were killed by hunters?”

“Yes.” I point to their chests. “Silver bullets. I can even smell it from here.”

Graham takes a step forward. I sense he's about to be sick, not because we haven't seen gruesome scenes before, but because we're supposed to be the ones keeping everyone else safe. The hunters have gotten a head start on us again.

“Have you contacted Madeline?”

I shake my head in regret. “Her phone's not reachable. I have to find her.”

“Maybe Grant can help. He's at Cora's hospital now.”

“What do we do about them?” I ask, gesturing to the bodies.Madeline is going to be devastated.

“I'll handle the bodies,” Graham says. “Go and brief Grant, then find your mate. With hunters this close, we need to make sure all bases are covered. They're acting in broad daylight now, which means we're in even more danger.”

“I think it's just one hunter,” I surmise. “One hunter on a mission.”And Madeline is involved in that mission.

I get into my car and drive like a madman to the hospital. I'm surprised I didn't run any red lights or cause accidents with other vehicles on the way.

Even though there are still plenty of cars at the hospital, it's clear that many people have been discharged. The only person with this much influence is Grant.

In the hospital I nod to the clerk at the reception desk and continue my stroll. Eventually, I take a turn and see Grant standing alone in the hallway. He already sees me, like he's been expecting me to show up.

“Howdy,” he greets me.

“Grant, there's a big problem.”

He nods. “There is. First, what do you have?”

“Two wolves dead with silver bullets. They were shot in the middle of the day.”

Grant's face turns unreadable. “This is so much worse than I thought. We've discovered what's wrong with Cora—wolfsbane.”

My blood grows cold as I hear the word .“What?”

He shakes his head. “She's a strong woman. Any wolf here would probably be six feet under by now, but she's been fighting it for some time now. She probably had only a few days left if wehadn't caught it in time. I didn't tell Madeline so she wouldn't worry, but—”

“Madeline? You saw Madeline?”

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