Page 191 of Fated to the Hunters
Chapter Sixty
Mateo
In a sense, driving onto his family’s ranch still felt like coming home. Not much had changed, and it probably wouldn’t until Adrian took over once his parents gave him his inheritance.
He pointed at the main house, Scarlett’s gaze following his finger. “That’s where my parents live and over there,” he pointed to their right at the barn, “is where Adrian and Fabian stay. They converted it a while back, but when I last came, they weren’t quite done yet.”
“How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”
“Probably a year.” He parked and as he shut off the engine, Vince helped Scarlett to the ground.
“Right on time,” his mother greeted, stepping onto the wrap-around porch. “I just pulled the cake out of the oven.” She descended the steps and pulled Mateo into a hug, then turned to Scarlett with a warm, motherly smile.
“Mother, this is Scarlett.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Elwood.” Scarlett was squeezed into a hug before she could even get all her words out.
“Oh, please, don’t make me feel like an old woman. Call me Margaret.”
His mother gave Vince and Ezra the same treatment, which clearly made the latter uncomfortable. Vince, however, seemed to be more pleased. They were ushered inside, where his father sat in his usual recliner. He set his beer aside and grunted as he pushed himself up, greeting Scarlett with a soft handshake.
“Ah, the woman of the hour. I’m Jim. Margaret has not stopped chewing my ear off about you since Mateo first mentioned your name.”
That earned himself a soft slap against his shoulder. “That is not true.” Margaret moved for the kitchen. “Sit, everyone and make yourselves at home. Adrian and Fabian should be here soon.”
Mateo nudged Scarlett onto the couch next to Ezra, who had sprawled out, his long arms draped over the backrest. In the kitchen, he gave his mom another squeeze. “How have you and dad been?”
“Well, though I must say I think he is growing bored of retirement.”
That made Mateo chuckle. “It’s barely been what? Six or seven months?”
“I had hoped he would help me reshape the vegetable garden, but he always seems to find an excuse.”
While she took the glasses, Mateo carried the pitcher of sweet tea. His mother waited for everyone to have their glass filled before the dam restraining her curiosity burst. “So, Scarlett, Mateo said you’ve started studying. How are you liking the fine arts?”
“I love it. So far I’ve only done anything creative from my gut feeling, but the new techniques help me understand everything better. I find my history lessons rather interesting as well.”
His mother peppered Scarlett with question after question, but Scarlett didn’t seem to mind, eagerly answering every single one. Mateo had never asked about her relationship with her own mother, afraid it would open barely healed wounds, but she seemed to bloom in his mother’s presence.
Mid-conversation, the door sprang open, and Mateo’s brothers stormed into the house. “Told you we’d be late,” Fabian complained.
“The best always comes last.” Adrian’s gaze found his sister-in-law and made his way over to her. Scarlett had barely managed to stand when he had her wrapped up in a tight hug. “God, you’re pretty.”
There was awhooshthrough the air, and Ezra suddenly held a dagger to Aiden’s thigh. “Try that again, pretty boy.”
Adrian released Scarlett who quickly sat back down, while he cocked his brow at the dagger. “Nice to see you too, little psycho.” Then he turned and reached for Vince’s outstretched hand. “I see you still put up with them.” Vince shrugged, and Adrian took the empty seat next to Mateo, sandwiching him between his brothers.
“So, what happened with the Silvermoon Wolves?” Mateo asked, daring to poke the bear.
“A fucking disaster. Thank goodness we fucked off once Hunter told us the lycan was dead.”
His mother shook her head and silenced them before Mateo could ask for more details. “Let’s not talk about such things.”
Everyone was offered a slice of cake before Mateo and Fabian took Scarlett on a tour of the ranch. “Ezra seems calmer,” Fabian stated once they were out of earshot. They’d just left Ezra and Adrian to target practice.
“Scarlett has her way with him,” Mateo said, chuckling when he noticed her blush.
“And here I was, afraid for my brother’s life that his psychotic friend would kill him in a fit of jealousy.”
