Page 49 of Fated to the Hunters
“When she returned, her mind was made up.”
“Did they hurt her?”
Vince pried his eyes open, looking at Mateo. “Not physically. But when her pack bond broke…” His voice broke, and he simply shook his head. “I didn’t want her to do this.”
“How did they find you?”
“By chance. Said something about their goddess watching out for them. Kurt saw me at a stoplight and followed me.”
“Fuck, good thing you did stop. You could have led them back here.” Mateo peered up at the ceiling as if he could see through the floor. “We have to pick up the truck before the cops are alerted to it.”
“Not fucking moving,” Vince demanded, already drifting off to sleep.
Mateo jumped to his feet and looked at Ezra. “We’re up.”
The absolute last thing Ezra wanted to do was leave the house, but he knew it had to be done. With a little less enthusiasm than Mateo, he got up and followed close behind.
Neither of them slept in their rooms that night. They didn’t want to miss a single chance to see Scarlett if she ventured out of her room. By the time the sun had begun to rise, Ezra couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer. Now that she no longer had her family holding her back, he’d hoped she would seek them out. She had no excuse not to spend her time with them, yet she hid herself away like she had in that tower for months.
He only awoke when he heard Vince stir. To Ezra’s surprise, he put on his shoes and left, the roar of his truck disappearing down the road. At some point, Mateo crashed around in the kitchen,working on breakfast. With his eyes closed Ezra listened to the sounds of bacon sizzling and something being mixed in a plastic bowl. A few moments later, a door creaked and timid footsteps padded down the stairs.
“Are you hungry?” Mateo asked.
Ezra sat up to look over the back of the couch, seeing Scarlett nod and reach for the stack of plates.
“I can make something else if you don’t like bacon.”
“Bacon’s fine.”
Mateo smiled, patting the counter. “Come sit while I finish up.” Scarlett pulled herself up, feet dangling in the air and hands in her lap. “What do you usually drink in the morning to wake up?”
“Juice?”
“No coffee?”
She shook her head and Mateo walked over to the fridge and held out a carton of orange and apple juice. Once she’d chosen the orange, he poured her a glass and continued with the pancakes.
“Were you warm enough last night?”
“Mmhmm.”
It was an odd question but then again, they already knew she’d had a rough night. It was simply a way to make conversation.
“Where’s Vince?”
“He left a little while ago, but I’m not sure where to.” At her worried glance, Mateo added, “He’s fine. The vampire blood healed him last night.”
Scarlett peered into her glass, and Ezra couldn’t stay away any longer. He stood and went into the kitchen, resting on the counter and reaching for a stolen piece of bacon.
“Ladies first,” Mateo snapped, smacking Ezra on the chest.
He halted in his movement, his lips already parted to eat the crispy, fried pork. Ezra grinned, changing course. She didn’t take it.
“What’s the matter, little rogue? Afraid we’ll poison you?”
“If you don’t stop calling her that, she’ll kill you in your sleep and I’ll offer her the knife to do it with.”
Scarlett seemed to like that idea, smiling as she snatched the piece of bacon from Ezra’s hand.
