Page 203 of Fated to the Hunters
“Where are you?”
“Out for a drive.”
“Why?”
“You tossed and turned last night. I can’t have you losing your beauty sleep.”
“But I want you at home!” she protested with tears in her eyes.
“And I will be back once you’ve gotten some rest.”
“I want you backnow.”
Ezra sighed; clearly torn over the decision. “Scarlett, it is alright. I’ll be back. I love you.” And then the call ended.
Scarlett stared down at the screen, a thousand questions running through her mind. She faulted herself, had hoped she would be better at handling him.
With his heart cracking in two, Mateo lifted her chin, her eyes meeting his. “You are doing wonderfully, and this is Ezra’s way of showing you his love. He does not think you rejected him, nor that you love him any less.”
Vince stood behind her, running his hands up and down her arms. “Rest now, he’ll be on his way back very soon.”
A little while later, Mateo texted Ezra to return and soon enough they felt him emerge into their bond. Scarlett paced on the porch, after failing to keep herself busy. Once the truck came down the dirt road there was no holding her back. She didn’t even allow Ezra to get out of the driver seat, throwing herself in his lap and demanding his attention.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Ezra
Days turned into weeks and though Scarlett never asked, Ezra left the house periodically to give her a break from being inside his head. Especially when she had important essays for her classes to complete, he drove until he could no longer feel her.
They didn’t say it, but Mateo and Vince appreciated the breaks too. Unlike Scarlett, they didn’t love him unconditionally and didn’t have a mate bond to help them cope. Scarlett became better at managing four different minds, being able to choose which one to listen to more. He hated that she often sought out the other two, but who could blame her? Plus, she clearly felt bad about it so every time he caught himself falling down a jealousy rampage, he tried his best to silence it right away.
Right now, all three of them patiently awaited her return. She’d been out all day for classes, and meeting up with a study group after. But when her link finally returned to their consciousness, she had withdrawn from all three of them. Knowing something was up, Mateo pulled out her favourite hoodie and threw itinto the dryer while Ezra started on her favourite drink. When she finally stepped into the house she laughed at their sweet gestures.
“Nothing is wrong,” she said lightly with a bright grin on her face. She held up three boxes, all nicely wrapped in golden paper. She clearly didn’t want to spoil her surprise, having them sit around her on the carpet by the couches. “Open them.”
Each took the one with their name on it and the moment Ezra had his unwrapped, a pregnancy test fell into his lap—and he started to panic. Looking up, Mateo and Vince held up matching baby outfits that each readFavourite Uncle.
“I wasn’t sure what you’ll want to be called but…” Scarlett trailed off when she felt the storm inside him.
Fuck,why had Ezra thought this was such a good idea? Everyone knew if the parents were fucked up the child would end up the same. How was he supposed to raise a healthy human being? He was everyone’s worst nightmare, and not even his mate could cope with his fucked up mental state. He was going to ruin an innocent soul, the poor child already cursed with his DNA.
“Ezra.” Something heavy settled into his lap and warmth spread all over his cheeks. “I’m here.” Scarlett pushed her mind into his letting him feel her excitement and love. “Don’t be worried, you’re going to be a wonderful parent.”
“They are going to be so innocent.”
“Open your eyes and look at me.”
He hadn’t even realised he’d closed them, only feeling the darkness of his thoughts. “Fuck.”
Scarlett chuckled lightly, her joy slowly dissolving the storm in his mind. “Look around you.”
He did, Mateo coming into view first. He clutched the little outfit to his chest, tears pouring down his cheeks. Then Scarlettforced his gaze over to Vince, who smiled down at the pregnancy test, mouthing the worduncle.
“We are here. We are all going to figure this out together. This is what we wanted. I felt the panic too. What if I’m not good enough? What if I finally get to hold this tiny being in my arms and I have no clue what to do with it?” Scarlett laughed, presenting Ezra with a book.“I thought this might calm our nerves for now.”
Parenting for Dummies.
Ezra snorted, resting his head against hers and though he still was struggling to feel joyous himself, he allowed himself to bathe in hers.
