Page 131 of Fated to the Hunters
Mateo’s eyes softened. “I don’t hate you, Ezra. I hate the fact that I can’t separate from your mind. You are a lot to take in, especially at first. The constant storm in your mind is draining. But since you met Scarlett, you have calmed. There is a quiet anchor within you that centres a certain part of you. Let her get to know the person you are. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll have her falling for someone you are not. Making her fall for the person that you hide behind that mask will be even harder.”
“She’ll already have a hard time. People don’t like being lied to.”
“I don’t think you are actively lying to her. Shehasseen you. You are just trying to protect her from yourself in some degree. With how much she is growing, I don’t believe she needs protection—just guidance.”
Ezra could only stare at Mateo, deeply grateful for his honesty, but also scared to transform his words into actions. The thought of Scarlett rejecting him was paralyzing.
“Are you still not wanting to complete the bond with her?”
“I don’t want her to regret it. You and Vince do and the bond we share is hardly an ounce of what she’ll have to endure.”
He didn’t have to look at Mateo to know that he was anxious too. Both of his closest friends would feel him even clearer through Scarlett. He’d read up on werewolf bonds and fromwhat he understood they sharedeverything—one’s thoughts and emotions on a constant basis. There was nothing to separate them. Losing Scarlett completely was even more terrifying than to never know how deeply she felt for him.
“We still have time. There is no need to rush it,” Mateo softly assured, realising Ezra wasn’t ready to talk about it.
Though the sun had barely started to set, they didn’t dare carry on for the night, instead choosing to set up camp. When the weather was good, they slept under the stars. The days were long and even though Mateo assured him that they were making progress, Ezra hated how slow that progress was.
They had found traces of large wildlife, though the marks were old, and no fresh signs had been discovered. Ezra just hoped they were on to something, because he couldn’t spend weeks, possibly even months hunting ghosts that may not even exist. Catching a lycan had always been a slim chance, but he’d hoped for far more adventure along the way.
After another unsuccessful day, they sat down and checked the map to see what public trails laid ahead of them. Public trails would be easier to get back to the cabin with, and Vince could possibly even pick them up. Mateo wanted to stay out on the hunt, which gave Ezra the chance to spend time with Scarlett. Once they had picked out a trail to get back to, they called Vince.
“Hi,” Scarlett’s worried voice came through the speaker. “Do you need Vince?”
“No, I need you,” Ezra hummed, pleased to finally hear her voice again.
“So, everything is alright?”
“Yes, princess. We are planning our return.”
“You are? When will you be back?”
“We are not sure, that depends on Vince and his willingness to drive to us.”
“Vince,” she called out, returning after an echoed answer. “He’s in the shower.”
“And you are not with him? I thought he would take better care of you.”
“He’s doing a fantastic job. Don’t make him feel inadequate.”
“As you wish, princess.”
Then Ezra heard footsteps and Vince took over the call. “Yes?”
They talked over their options and when Mateo suggested Scarlett join Vince on the hike, she was all for it—even if that meant spending a few nights camping. In fact, she was thrilled about it.
They set up a meeting point, then started on their hike back to their mate.
Chapter Forty
Vince
Vince set up camp with Scarlett standing by, eager to learn. It was her first time overnighting in a tent, and she’d admitted to being both thrilled and terrified.
“You seem tired,” Vince observed. “I’ll make dinner then you can try and get some sleep.”
Scarlett turned her sheepish gaze to the ground. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. You drove almost all night while I slept and hardly let me carry anything here. You should be the one tired.”
“Scarlett, don’t be so hard on yourself. You did fantastic.”
