Page 51 of Fated to the Hunters
She spent the rest of the morning upstairs staring at her old phone. Vince had been right: her service had been deactivated. Since her father had made her share every password she’d ever had, she couldn’t access any of her accounts either. Not that she had many. After all, social media was a big no-no, and she only had an email address for school.
Outside of the cash she’d saved over the years, she didn’t even have a bank account. Terrified that he would somehow wipe the phone completely, she wrote down her contacts, even the ones from pack members she’d barely talked to. It was as if she was desperately trying to hold onto something that was long lost. She couldn’t go back—ever. She couldn’t even contact them, not unless she wanted them punished as well.
Once that task was done and she had nothing else to do, she slipped her feet back into her fluffy slippers and went downstairs.
The living room was empty, the porch and front doors open, letting a nice breeze flow through and rustle her hair. Whenshe heard voices, she followed them through the house and out to the porch. When she took another step, she paused, waiting for someone to give her permission to continue. It took her a moment to realise that she was no longer under her father’s control. Scarlett filled her lungs with the clean, fresh air, exhaling slowly with each step.
It still felt wrong by the time she reached the bottom of the steps, but she assumed that if she walked towards their voices, she’d be fine. But what if they didn’t want her to be with them right now? Was this a test?
Scarlett’s thoughts clouded her mind until the inside of the shed came into view. It seemed to be a home gym. Mateo and Ezra were fighting on the soft mats that covered most of the floor. Mateo had Ezra in a chokehold while Ezra punched Mateo’s stomach so violently that bruises were sure to form.
“Fucker,” Ezra choked, succumbing to the lack of oxygen.
“Tap out if you wanna be a pussy,” Mateo laughed, tightening his grip. A moment later, Ezra’s body fell limp, but Mateo didn’t let him go, instead squeezing tighter. “If you wanna fake unconsciousness you need to get better at hiding your emotions.”
A chuckle from the back caught her attention. She looked over to see Vince stepping out of the shadows. Sweat dripped down his neck and onto his…nakedchest. His brown hair hung in his face, sweat-drenched and tousled. The chocolate in his eyes seemed to melt as he looked at her.
The dull sound of a body dropping to the floor made her look back at Mateo and Ezra. With a satisfied smile, Mateo stood and grabbed a bottle of water, downing half of it in one go and throwing her a wink when he caught her staring. “It’s the only time we get some peace and quiet.”
“W-what?”
“Ezra’s mind is just as erratic as his behaviour and unfortunately, he’s an over-sharer. He doesn’t care that we can feel everything he does. The only time his mind shuts up, is when he’s passed out or miles away.”
Her gaze dropped back down to Ezra, who was slowly stirring to consciousness. It wasn’t long before his eyes fluttered open and a grin formed on his lips.
“And let’s be honest, he enjoys being choked.”
Ezra rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself to his knees. “Maybe next time our little rogue can be the one to shut me up.”
Scarlett’s throat tightened at the brutal reminder of how she gave up her pack forhim.She’d lost everything she’d ever known and everyone she’d ever loved only to be continuously taunted and insulted. She spun on her heel and stormed off. Mateo called after her, but she ignored him and went back inside. She slammed her bedroom door and let the tears fall.
Why had she thought this was a good idea? Scarlett slid down the door until she sat at the foot of it. From what Ezra had shown her—and what the other two had told her—this was the future she signed up for, and Ezra wasn’t going to budge. Not one inch. She pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her cheek on her knees.
She heard footsteps and then a knock before his commanding voice seeped through the door. “Open up.”
“Maybe you should try please,” Mateo said before she could say a thing.
“Please, little princess, open the door.”
“Drop the little,” Mateo urged like an annoyed parent.
“Please open the door, princess.”
“No,” Scarlett finally snapped.
“I tried.” Then there was a yelp as Scarlett assumed Ezra tried to walk away.
“Tryharder,” Mateo growled. “You hurt her, now apologise.”
“I was stating a fact.”
“And now you’re pouring salt into her fucking wounds.”
A sigh, then another knock. “Would you like me to apologise, princess?”
“You wouldn’t mean it if you did, so save it.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t, but I would do it if it pleases you.”
