Page 161 of Fated to the Hunters
He turned his head to see Mateo climb out the bed too. “You’ve always wanted this.”
“So? She’s far more perfect than I could ever dream of.” Then a smirk spread over his face. “But you know what would make you believe youareworthy?” When he didn’t get an answer, Mateo grinned even brighter and left the room. “Completing the bond and letting her mind convince you.”
Vince knew Mateo was right, but the thought of yet another bond mixing with the already existing one was fucking terrifying. He already had no peace and having her thoughts constantly mixed with his would be even more intense. The second he had the thought, he banished it. There was no instance in which his sweet Scarlett would ever be a burden.
He got up and as he walked into the living room, he could hear the shower running. He made sure to set the table with the breakfast she had prepared the day before and then got dressed himself. Breakfast was a quiet affair, in which Scarlett made surethey all had plenty to eat. She then cleaned the kitchen while the guys packed up the trucks.
It was still raining, so Scarlett threw on her raincoat to run to the trucks and made sure both had plenty of food before she claimed one of the passenger seats.
“Clever woman,” Ezra chuckled. “Leaving us to fight over her.”
“If you even think about taking her truck, I will behead you and strap you in the bed with the lycans,” Vince growled, surprising even himself.
“The mute is speaking up for himself, how sweet,” Ezra taunted—but he still sauntered off to the empty truck.
Scarlett had already made herself comfortable, her legs crossed and scrolling through her playlist. “Did you want to choose?”
“I’m open to your favourites.”
They drove after Mateo and Ezra, the rain pitter-pattering against the windshield. Once a song was chosen, Scarlett set her phone aside and rested against the window, watching the beads of water stream down the glass. She seemed to be in her own little world until her phone started ringing.
She didn’t hesitate to answer. “Hi.”
“Where are you?” her brother demanded in a rough tone over the car’s speakers that Vince didn’t care for.
However, his rough demeanour only concerned Scarlett. “Still out and about. Why? What happened?”
“Luna Kaya is dead. She was taken and killed by hunters.”
Her face paled, stormy grey eyes meeting Vince. “S-she’s dead?”
“Yes. Where are you?”
“Black Ridge Mountains. We haven’t been near the Mountain Wolves.”
“Good. Stay away from there too.” Without another word, the line went dead.
Scarlett only stared down at her phone, eyes filling with tears. Struggling to keep his eyes on the road, Vince quickly took her hand and squeezed it for support. “Did you know her well?”
“She and Mom got along well, they visited us a few times.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I thought alphas and luna’s weren’t allowed to be touched?”
“They aren’t supposed to. It keeps the peace. Mateo knows a few hunters in that area. Would you like him to see if he can find out what happened?” Scarlett nodded instantly, and Vince hurried to dial Mateo’s number. “Scarlett’s brother just called to let her know that Luna Kaya of the Mountain wolves was killed by hunters. Could you reach out to some of your friends and see what happened?”
“Of course. Did you know her well, Scarlett?”
“My mom did.”
“I’m so sorry. I’ll see what I can find out and call you back.”
“Thank you.”
The news definitely didn’t sit well with Scarlett, and she spent a large part of the drive dabbing away tears. The only support Vince could offer was holding her hand. Encouraging words had never been his strength and even when he tried to imagine what Mateo would say, he drew a blank.
After a while Mateo called back, his voice soft and sweet. “I’m not sure how much of this is true or just passed through the rumour mill. From what I could find out, Alpha Brock started to harass neighbouring farms, wanting their land. The Sommer family tried to reason with him and I’m not sure why but their son, Damien, took Luna Kaya to force Alpha Brock into submitting to their commands. A fight broke out and Luna Kaya died, along with the entire Sommer family.”
