Page 81 of Fated to the Hunters
“Do you want me to study?”
“Only if it’s somethingyouwant to do. But if you figure out it’s not for you, I’m sure there are other things you’ll enjoy that will fulfil your life.”
Throat tight, Scarlett nuzzled into Mateo’s neck to hide the inevitable tears.
“Oh, sweet love. It’s okay,” Mateo cooed, holding her tightly with one hand and massaging her scalp with the other. “We want youhappy. Whether you want to see the world or just our backyard, we’ll be right there every step of the way. Your wants and needs matter to us and whatever they may be, we’ll make it happen.”
Scarlett sniffled and slid her arms around him. “Thank you.”
“And if you don’t want to do anything at all we’re fine with that too.” She came up and was met with a kiss, loving and deep before he took her face in her hands and seemingly lost himself in her eyes. “Your wishes are our commands.”
“But I want you to be happy too.”
“We are. You are here with us. That’s all that we need.” Mateo chuckled to himself. “Well and the occasional hunts so ourpsychopath doesn’t lose his mind, and so we can buy you the life you deserve.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I’ll take that as a good thing.”
Scarlett managed a weak smile. “It is.”
Mateo stroked along her spine and kissed her hair. “I’m sure there are still a bunch of things I haven’t thought about yet, but I think these ones were most important.”
Scarlett sat up again, reaching for some tissues on the desk. “I didn’t even realise things needed to be done. Dad always took care of everything.”
“You’ll get there. We all had to learn to live on our own.” Mateo snickered. “I drove around without car insurance for over a year.”
“Why did you move out?”
He shrugged and pushed some papers aside, making room on the desk for her. Once she was settled and he was rubbing her outer thigh, he answered. “I was the third born son, and my family tradition dictates that the eldest gets everything. There was no reason for me to stay around and watch the idiot get all he doesn’t deserve.”
“Do you only dislike the eldest?”
“Both of them are idiots, but Adrian always knew he’d get everything, so he didn’t have to prove himself. Fabian wasn’t very talented but has a huge ego.”
“But you had the ambition to forge your own path.”
“You make it sound so noble.”
“Do you still have contact with them?”
“Very little. We talk on birthdays and such, but that’s about it.”
“Any bad blood?”
“Jealousy, mostly from Adrian but I kind of enjoy it. He keeps saying that I’m only a good hunter because I have Ezra and Vince.”
“Don’t most hunt in teams?”
“Yeah, Adrian included, but they aren’t as good. Whenever you are comfortable, I would like you to meet them.”
“You do?”
“Of course.”
“How will they feel about me?”
“I don’t really care how they feel, as long as they are respectful towards you.”
