Page 152 of Fated to the Hunters
“We have talked about it.”
Scarlett hummed, her chest vibrating against his torso. “I’m sure there wasn’t much talking involved from your side.”
“Does that bother you?”
“You being my quiet soul? No. It’s refreshing and calming.”
“May I ask how it was with Ezra? Did he give you space when needed?”
“He did. I mean, he is very different from you, but when I needed it and asked for space, he gave it. He can be very sweet when he wants to be.”
That made Vince’s chest rumble with a laugh. “You are the only living being that will survive calling Ezra sweet.”
“You and Mateo would get away with it, because he knows that would hurt me.”
“Ah, but we would still be punished. Meanwhile if he heard you say that, he would purr like a proud tiger.”
“He might not show it or say it, but he does love you both very much. In his own twisted way.”
In an odd way, Vince too loved his little family. It was no love like he loved Scarlett, but appreciation for their company—most of the time. While he clearly favoured Mateo over Ezra, they wouldn’t be where they were without him. Things never would have worked outwithoutEzra. He only disliked the man because his mind was chaos and completely oversaturated his own.
“I know.” Vince sighed, deciding to take the honest route himself. “Hunting feels different with you around now. It was always a risk, but with you they feel much higher now.”
Scarlett paused for a moment, her breathing calm. “Mateo mentioned it too. Are my fears about being alone making it harder on you?”
“A little, but I believe you will grow with time. You might even start enjoying your time alone. With each new hunt, your fears will become more manageable, and a sense of normality might even set in.”
“Maybe you’re right. This is my first hunt with you and everything is just so new at the moment. I do hope that with time my nerves won’t flutter this much.”
He ran his fingers over her soft skin, his eyes closed and his mind content. Scarlett was so open to all their needs and was so well at reading their ever-changing moods. She brought something to the three of them that no one ever knew was missing.
They held each other in silence until the front door opened. Ezra rushed into the room, stopping in his tracks when he saw Scarlett lying there.
“She’s awake,” Vince clarified, confirming that Ezra could approach.
“Good morning,” she hummed as Ezra pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“We brought breakfast.”
“If you don’t like my cooking, just say so,” she teased.
“We wanted you to relax today.”
“That is very sweet of you. In that case, come cuddle with us.” She slipped off Vince’s chest and to his side, pulling Ezra down to her back. “Vince is too shy to ask for snuggles from you.”
Something in Vince’s chest fluttered. He loved the easy sort of domesticity she’d brought into their lives. Ezra rolled his eyes, but wrapped his arms around her. With his hand on her lower back, Vince turned on his side and closed his eyes again. Peace settled deep within him, even with Ezra’s roaring emotionsspilling into his mind. Jealousy, love, hate and the need for peace while also ready to fight and kill—it was disorienting. Vince focused on Scarlett, the sparks that spread up his arm that ignited with the simplest of touches. Everything beside that became a white noise. In that moment, nothing but Scarlett was important.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Mateo
After having spent weeks without Scarlett, with nothing but the jealousy eating him alive, he finally had her—alone. It was just the two of them hiking a breathtaking trail, their fingers intertwined. Scarlett was his andonlyhis for the next two days. It was minimal compared to what her other two mates had gotten with her, yet all the soul healing that Mateo needed.
The past week, Scarlett had practiced being alone while they were close by if she needed. The first day, she’d hardly spent half an hour in the village before returning. Over the days, that expanded into hours, making not just herself proud, but all three of her mates too.
Scarlett sighed and leaned her head against his arm. “I feel that after having all three of you around the past week, I’ll feel the loneliness even harder.”
He’d tried to fight that thought, knowing the fear she’d expressed far too well. “It will make our return that much sweeter.”
