Page 147 of Fated to the Hunters
“I did nothing. And I couldn’t have anyway, I barely left your side to piss.” He twirled her loose hair around his finger. “You set your boundary with him and for all we know he’s not local anyway.”
“Do you know if Vince did anything?”
“I don’t believe he has. But knowing you, you’ll ask him anyways.”
She nodded and let her gaze travel to the trail again. Ezra sat down next to her and kept reminding her to take bites from her sandwich, but she was too nervous to eat. Finally, an hour later, she caught sight of them and the tension vanished from her body.
With an excited yelp she jumped off the truck and ran towards them, Ezra calling after her to be careful. Mateo was closest, so she threw herself into his arms first, wrapping her legs around him as best as she could. He kissed her, his arms so tight around her that she could barely breathe, but who needed air when the missing pieces of her soul had finally returned. Tears fell down her cheeks, a salty taste brushing her lips and by the time he pulled back, he’d carried her to the truck, planting her back on the seat she’d been warming for hours.
“Scarlett, sweet, sweet, Scarlett,” Mateo hummed. He stepped back, taking in her dress and his lips curled up into a smile. “Beautiful, sweet soul of mine.” He stole another kiss and then stepped back to drop his backpack and give Vince space to greet her too.
Scarlett clenched a fistful of Vince’s t-shirt, hauling him into a blistering kiss like he wasn’t twice her size. She broke away quickly, locking her legs around him to hold him in place as she inspected every inch of his form.
“I’m fine.” Although Vince had promised her to keep a conversation with Mateo, he sounded raspy as if he hadn’t said a word since their phone call. “And you look breathtaking.”
“Thank you. Ezra chose it because I couldn’t make up my mind.”
“He chose well,” Mateo hummed, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Are you hungry? We brought lots of food.”
“Starving actually,” Mateo admitted. “We can eat on the drive. I’m desperate to get away from here.” When she headed to the passenger seat, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her to the back. “I don’t care what I smell like, you’re sitting with me.”
“I… That’s not why I...”
Mateo laughed and opened the door for her. “I know, I was teasing you.”
After both men devoured every bit of food offered to them, Mateo pulled her into his side and closed his eyes. Scarlett grabbed his free hand and twisted their fingers together, relishing in the feeling of having all of her mates together once again. It felt good—right—for all three of them to be by her side. Vince rested his head back, reaching around the seat to lay his hand on her thigh as he drifted off.
Ezra drove them home and by the time the sun had disappeared behind the mountains, even he had grown tired. She was glad when they finally arrived home, happy to have all her men back under one roof. Just like she’d done with Ezra, she helped Vince and Mateo out of their clothes.
Vince opted to wait, while Scarlett let Mateo drag her to the bathroom. She made him kneel as she massaged the dirt from his scalp and his torso.
“It feels good to be home,” he whispered. “I missed you so much.”
She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “You’re back now.”
“I was such a jerk to Vince because of it.”
“I’m sure he understands.”
“That doesn’t make it right.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. If it bothers you that much, the two of you can talk it out tomorrow, once you’ve both rested.”
Mateo sighed and tipped his head back, letting the hard stream of water crash on his face. “I was so jealous that I had insistedon them spending time with you first. I was so hateful towards him.”
“Mateo…” Scarlett stepped around him and sunk into his lap. His arms found their way around her waist, and he rested his forehead against hers. “It is alright to have all those feelings. Vince understands them—he knows that you still love him. Because you can love someone while still being a jerk.”
“They had you for so long. Part of me didn’t want to find the lycans yet so I could have that same time with you too.”
“And I’m sure they understand that. No one is asking you to be the sensible one all the time. And that’s what you do. You are the selfless one of them, always looking out for others before you look out for yourself.” She held his face and ran her thumbs over his cheekbones where his tears mixed with the water raining down on him. “They appreciate everything you do, even if they don’t tell you. You are allowed to be frustrated. You are not leaving right away and although it might not be much, I will make sure to have time with just the two of us.”
“Iwanteda week. Maybe even two.”
“I know. And once we are home you and I can still go on our own little adventure.”
Mateo closed his eyes again and sighed. “Okay.”
