Page 192 of Fated to the Hunters
“Nah, he might bark, but then remembers that Scarlett loves me and restrains from biting.”
“He loves you too,” Scarlett whispered. “He just doesn’t like people to know that he sees you as his family.”
Mateo pulled her into his side and kissed her hair. “I know.” Changing the subject, he asked, “So now that mom is no longer listening, whydidHunter Allen go off the rails?”
“Honestly? No fucking idea what got into that idiot. I mean, he always had a thing for the Sommer girl but damn, that was a shit show.”
“Well, I’m glad you two idiots didn’t go along and returned in one piece.”
“So, rumour says that you killedthreelycans?” And though Fabian seemed curious, he was also reluctant—typical when talking about his youngest brother’s success.
“Five,” Mateo corrected, throwing a cocky grin his brother’s way.
“Fuck you too,” Fabian mumbled.
“Sibling rivalry is clearly a thing in your family,” Scarlett giggled.
Fabian rolled his eyes and then curiously glanced at Mateo again. “So, did you sell all of them?”
“No, Ezra demanded on keeping two for himself. He was down in the slaughterhouse for days. If Scarlett hadn’t lured him out with food, he probably wouldn’t have seen daylight at all.”
Scarlett hadn’t gone near the hidden cellar, but that was probably for the best. The silver down there wouldn’t do her any good. Neither of them had made her feel bad about it, even encouraging that she stay away from it. It would always be the one part of their house that they wouldn’t cleanse of silver.
Once they returned to the main house, they found Vince setting the table, having fallen victim to his mother’s incessant babbling. Mateo chuckled, but when he felt into their bond Mateo was surprised to find Vince rather content, not one ounce annoyed.
Dinner was no less talkative, with Scarlett having to answer all kinds of questions about their mating ceremony. Though she shared some details, she still kept most of them hidden—especially her dress. After dinner, his mom ushered Scarlett and his father away on a secret mission, leaving her three mates and new brothers-in-law to fend for themselves.
“She’s far too sweet for you,” Adrian commented, staring at the spot Scarlett had just vacated. “She can’t even go hunting with you without burning herself on half of your equipment.”
“She’s not expected to hunt with us,” Mateo countered calmly, but he could already feel Ezra becoming annoyed. After all, no one was allowed to talk down to his princess.
But it seemed Adrian was on a roll. “That’s the whole point, right? Keeping the family business going?”
Now Mateo bristled. “And who are you to talk about ‘family business?’ When was the last time a hunt of yours actually brought in a payment? Because last time I checked you as the heir to all of this, are doing pretty shitty compared tomyfamily’s success.”
Ezra slowly turned his head towards him, and a feeling of love and acceptance swam into Mateo’s mind. Mateowashis family, and admitting that towards his blood brothers was something Ezra hadn’t expected.
“So you call a fucked-up psychopath, a broke carpenter, and a werewolf ro—”
Adrian gasped, a dagger deeply embedded in his shoulder. Ezra had it out and across the room before anyone could blink. Adrian then let out a ragged scream. Fabian leapt out of his seat torevenge his brother’s injury, but Vince was up and had his own weapon against the man’s neck before he could move.
Mateo shook his head and rather annoyed, he pushed himself out of his chair. “You should know better than to insult Ezra, but going after his woman is a whole other ball game.” His parents stormed into the room with Scarlett right behind them, the blood fading from her face. “Don’t pull that dagger out,” he barked and walked out to the truck.
By the time he found what he wanted and returned, Vince had dropped his blade while Ezra gently soothed Scarlett.
Mateo pulled the dagger from Adrian’s shoulder, letting a few drops of vampire blood heal the wound as he did. “Next time you insult my family, you better have your own to heal whatever damage will be inflicted.”
It was clearly time to leave, so once Adrian had healed—at least his physical scars—Mateo pulled his mother into a hug.
She kissed his cheek and squeezed him tightly. “We can’t wait to come to your ceremony.” Then she turned to Scarlett and kissed her forehead. “Welcome to our chaotic family, Scarlett.”
Chapter Sixty-One
Scarlett
Scarlett’s mind was racing and her hands shook with nerves. She closed her eyes and tried to refocus as she set the hot glue gun aside, but it didn’t help. Tears started to roll down her cheeks and she shoved her chair away from her desk. When she couldn’t settle herself, she stood up and sought out Vince, who was spending his evening in the workshop. Ezra and Mateo had gone to get their suits from the dry cleaner, but Scarlett suspected that they had an ulterior motive.
The second Vince saw her, he had her wrapped in his thick arms, her cheek pressing into his chest. “What happened?”
