Page 158 of Fated to the Hunters
“I’m here.”
“It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“You sound tired.”
He chuckled, then groaned as if he was in pain. “We are but I think it would be soul-soothing for Ezra to hear your voice.”
Mateo handed over the phone, and Ezra’s voice echoed through the line, cracking as if he were about to cry. “Princess.”
“I’m here.”
“Talk to me.”
He sounded desperate, to the point where Scarlett began to worry, but she tried not to let that show. “I had dinner with the bakery owners today. They have been very sweet to me and always open for a chat.” She laughed gently, hoping she kept her voice steady enough. “They told me how they overheard the three of you talk about me, how proud you were of me for the progress I made with my hiking. I thought they might judge us and pry about our relationship, but they have been nothing but open, not one bad comment.”
“More,” he hummed, shuffling in his spot.
“I have been drawing you and spending time at home so I can wear your clothes. They have your scent all over them.” She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words without sounding ashamed. “I opened your gift too. I used it for the first time a few days ago.”
“Oh, sweet princess,” he purred. “Did you think of us while fucking yourself?”
“Yes, but it didn’t feel as good as any of you.”
He laughed rough and deep. “I will not be replaced after all.”
“Where is Vince?” she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.
“On his way to get the quad.”
“You’re done?”
“Yes, they are dead.”
“How are you?”
“Fine,” he snapped, but Scarlett knew it was a lie, and knowing that it was a lie only made her fear spiral.
Ignoring her racing heart, she let her voice swell with love. “I’m proud of you—all of you.”
There was a pause and then Mateo’s voice came through the speaker again. “We are not sure when we’ll be back to the cabin but once we are, we are leaving right away.”
“I know. I’ll make sure to have everything packed up.”
“Thank you.”
“Mateo?”
“Yes?”
“Please be honest with me. Are you okay?”
“We will be. We just need to heal and rest. There is no need to worry about us.”
“I always worry about you. All three of you.”
There was a soft chuckle, but it was only a shadow of his typical bubbly laugh. “Of course you do.”
“I’ll start packing and make sure I can be ready to leave within a few hours’ notice.”
