Page 133 of Fated to the Hunters
Once Ezra let her breathe again, they treated themselves to an early dinner. It was Ezra’s and Mateos first warm meal since leaving, and they gobbled it up like they hadn’t eaten in weeks. Knowing that Ezra would return with her, Scarlett seemed to try and spend the most time with Mateo. She stayed close to him and when they discussed their further proceedings, she fell asleep with her head in Mateo’s lap.
“I think we can risk taking a faster approach and head closer to the caves,” Mateo suggested, running his fingers through Scarlett’s hair.
“Good, let’s get this done and over with,” Ezra grumbled clearly frustrated about the slow progress of their hunt.
Mateo addressed Vince with his next question. “Are you good with that too?”
Vince nodded and looked down at the map.
“We saw that you two did a lot of hiking.” Mateo paused to yawn. “But you two seemed to always return to the lake.”
“She enjoyed that the most.” Vince ducked his head to hide the blush creeping up his cheeks. “But we saved it for rainy days when no one else was around.”
“Clever.” Mateo leaned down, gently waking Scarlett. “Let’s get you into the tent.”
Without opening her eyes, Scarlett gripped tight onto Mateo’s shirt so he wouldn’t move without her. “Will you cuddle with me tonight?”
“Of course.”
Making sure he kept his promise, Scarlett stood, pulled Mateo to his feet, and they disappeared into the tent.
Tension built between the two remaining men, frustration boiling through the bond until Ezra shot to his feet and stormed off.
When the sun set and Ezra still hadn’t returned, Vince sighed and went in search of him. It didn’t take long, Vince finding his friend sitting on a log, and hacking away at some wood.
“Be prepared for overbearing positivity,” Ezra said, imitating Mateo’s voice. “Every small step counts.”
He leaned against a tree and crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at Ezra as he shredded the wood with his knife.
“I didn’t sign up for this shit.”
Vince could sense that there was more to Ezra’s frustration. That it wasn’t about the hunt.
“Did you fuck her? Or did you do what you do best and ignore her like the fucking mute you are.”
Vince simply waited, crooking a brow. He was no stranger to this behaviour, and Ezra’s words no longer hurt him. Ezra was picking a fight, and he was more than happy to give his friend what he needed.
“Don’t worry, she’ll have you forgotten the moment she’s in my arms.”
Ezra’s last word turned into a snarl, with Vince’s fist cracking against his jaw. Stunned, Ezra lost balance and fell off the log into the dirt.
“Fucker!” he hissed, scrambling to his feet.
Punches were thrown and the tang of blood filled the air around them until they both laid panting on the floor.
Ezra chuckled rather darkly. “Bastard.”
“You asked for it.”
“The mute can speak.” Ezra laughed, pulling himself to his feet.
As he watched Ezra head back to their camp, Vince realised that he didn’t seem to have any fresh cuts on him. He wondered if that’s why Ezra’s temper had come to such a head. It seemed to be Ezra’s only outlet for his emotional baggage. Scarlett had mentioned that they’d talked things through, and Vince could only hope that they had a breakthrough in the next week or so they’d be alone.
After all, Vince knew that one-on-one time was crucial. He’d learned so much in the last couple of weeks—about both of them. For the first time, he could picture his future with her much clearer. It had been blurry before, without much structure, but spending so much time around her taught him that he absolutely didn’t want to livewithouther.
Back at the camp, Vince noticed that Ezra had chosen to give Mateo and Scarlett privacy by sleeping out in the open. Vince snuck into the tent long enough to grab his own supplies to do the same. Mateo was passed out with Scarlett fast asleep in his arms.
He paused and looked down at his friend, the glue to their friendship. He took a moment to admire Mateo for all he’d done. Not just for their trio, but now Scarlett as well. He happily volunteered to stay behind so Ezra could spend time with Scarlett and knowing Mateo, he’d demanded that Ezra take that time.
