Page 134 of Fated to the Hunters
Mateo had always been selfless when it came to their trio and now with Scarlett in their lives, he was even more generous. How would they ever be able to repay Mateo for all he’d done for them? Without him, everything would be vastly different.
Vince retreated and fell asleep, unable to express his gratitude to his friend, yet hoping Mateo knew all the same.
Chapter Forty-One
Ezra
The next morning, it was clear to all three of them that Scarlett was struggling. She didn’t say anything, even going to great lengths to hide it, but she dreaded Vince’s and Mateo’s departure. To give her more time with Mateo, they offered to wait a little longer before continuing their hunt. Scarlett, grateful, spent most of her morning clinging to Mateo. He bathed in her attention, the pain of leaving her behind a second time becoming clearer through the bond as the morning gave way to afternoon.
They had lunch together then Ezra and Vince traded packs, making sure Mateo and Vince had enough rations for their trip.
“What if you run out?” Scarlett asked as he counted the ration packs Vince had put together.
Mateo laughed and pulled her close to kiss her temple. “Hunting skills don’t just apply to the supernatural, and Vince has quite the lucky hand when it comes to fishing.”
Scarlett melted into Mateo’s side. “I’m being dramatic, aren’t I?”
“You worry about our wellbeing. That’s what mates do.”
She turned into Mateo’s chest and hid her face. “I do know you’re capable of taking care of yourself. I just seem to forget that at times.”
“It’s okay.”
With his chin on her head and his arms tightly around her Mateo closed his eyes. He succeeded at masking for Scarlett, but he couldn’t hide his turmoil from his friends. Vince started to pack up the tent while Ezra collected Scarlett’s belongings and added them to her bag, making sure to save the heavy stuff for his.
Vince waited patiently until Mateo decided it was time for them to leave, and Scarlett stared after them until they were out of sight. Once she could no longer see them through the trees, she sighed and laced her fingers through Ezra’s.
“Ready?” he asked, waiting for her call to start back to the cabin.
With a nod, she followed Ezra back to the trail. Scarlett visibly fought tears for quite a while before her face crumpled and they broke free. Ezra made her sit down, kneeling in front of her and searching her backpack for the tissues.
It was the only thing he knew to do. He sure as hell didn’t know what to say. He’d never been good at dealing with emotions—not his own and definitely not others. Instead of fumbling for words, he dabbed her tears and took her hand, his thumb stroking her smooth skin. Scarlett focused on her breathing, so he slowed his to match hers and after a while, her eyes dried. She took in a deep, shaky breath, then stood from her makeshift seat.
“NowI’m ready.”
They were able to cover half the distance before they set up camp. Scarlett insisted on setting up the tent herself, so Ezra happily sat back and watched with pride as she did so.
“Vince said maybe we can go on longer hikes once we’re back home,” Scarlett said, clicking the last piece of the tent into place.
“You know we’ll do anything you want, princess.”
“But would you enjoy it?”
“Of course we would.”
“What aboutyou?” she insisted.
“I’d be over the moon.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to sit next to him on the ground. “Seeing you out here, claiming the world for yourself is my greatest pleasure.”
“Who are you and what have you done to Ezra?”
“Mateo might have rubbed off on me. Spending so much time with him wasn’t good for my dark and broody personality.”
Scarlett threw her head back and laughed, straddling him and letting her hands fall to his shoulders. “But you got along well?”
“Mateo is a people pleaser, getting along with him is the only option.” She crooked her brow at him so he added, “Yes we got along, but I’m glad I no longer have to bathe in his optimism.”
“He is a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy, isn’t he?”
