Page 72 of Fated to the Hunters
Ezra grimaced. He hated this feeling. Never had a woman messed with his emotions as much as Scarlett did. She had him hating and longing for her, wanting to crawl to her on his knees and then fight her at the same time. “I guess.”
“She’s ours, Ezra. Her mind, soul and heart belong to us and us alone. No one else will ever call her theirs.”
Somehow, that calmed his rage. Ezra wasn’t used to women who stuck around of their own accord. They got what they wanted and left, unable to be near him for very long before his true colours shone through. With Scarlett being his mate, she would never leave—any of them.
“I think jealousy will always be a part of our relationship with her,” Mateo continued. “It’s natural to not want to share something you love so fiercely. We just have to be open about it. We need to check in on each other to make sure it doesn’t overtake our friendship.”
Friendship.Why did that scratch an itch in Ezra’s mind? Deep down, he’d always known that if it weren’t for their blood bond, he’d have been left alone. Vince and Mateo wouldn’t be able to stand his irrational and impulsive behaviour. Hearing Mateo call their forced arrangement “friendship” was surprisingly soothing to his soul.
“We need to include Scarlett in that too. I don’t want us to smother her. Having days like these where she can be for herself are important, no matter how long she’s lived with us.”
As he considered Mateo’s words, Ezra couldn’t help but wonder if she would’ve been better off with just him. After all, Mateo was the only one who had been all in with the bond from day one.
“Ezra, I can feel your thoughts spiralling. Don’t do that. Don’t let yourself go down that path.”
Easier said than done.
“I wanted to sit down with her tomorrow and talk to her about our findings for the lycan hunt. I don’t want to leave her here alone. Especially when we don’t know how long it’ll take.”
“We can’t take her with us.”
“I know, but maybe we can find a place for her to stay nearby.”
“You just said not to overwhelm her! She could barely handle the farmer’s market.”
“I was thinking a small cabin or something.”
Ezra didn’t like the idea of taking Scarlett on a hunt. She wasn’t ready to be out there. Not even hidden away in a cabin. He’d seen how stressful it had been for her at the market, even how she hesitated to leave the walls of her own home. She was fragile, a clueless pup in a dark twisted sense. The worst part about it? He hated it. So much so that he wanted her family punished for it—severely. It would takeyearsto break the habits they’d instilled in her, and even then she might second guess herself at every turn.
“I liked seeing you with her at the market,” Mateo said, breaking Ezra’s train of thought. “You seemed happy.”
“Don’t expect a compliment in return.” But Mateo was right: hehadbeen happy. He had enjoyed her company and the way she didn’t mind being seen with him in public. He’d loved spoiling her with gifts and showing her the freedom she’d obtained by choosing them.
“I think her brother’s visit might mean that he’ll welcome her back once he becomes alpha.”
“She’s not leaving us,” Ezra growled.
“No, but she’d at least be allowed to see her family—and Kurt.”
“Whatever.”
“I shouldn’t tell her that though. It might get her hopes up.”
“Ah, yes, how thoughtful of you.”
“What can I say?”
“Fucking golden retriever.” Ezra hopped up from the couch and started for the door, turning back at the last second. “I’m sorry—cinnamon roll.” He shut the door before Mateo could drum up a response. Surprisingly, he felt better. The jealousy was still in the depths of his mind, but it wasn’t burning his mind and consuming all his thoughts.
But he’d never tell Mateo that.
The next morning, Ezra found Scarlett in the kitchen cutting fruit into a bowl. No wonder she was nearly skin and bone. Instead of commenting on it he pulled out his usual oversized cereal bowl and stood next to her as he poured his chocolate puffs into it. Out of the corner of his eye, Scarlett looked up at him, crooking a brow expectantly. He was happy to share, pouring a bit of his breakfast into her bowl.
Perfect. It was working.
He followed her to the couch but instead of sitting next to her, he sat on the floor in front of her. They ate in silence and once she’d finished, she set her bowl aside and brushed her fingers over the shaved hair at his nape.
“Will you practice driving today again?” he asked, desperate to simplytalkwith her.
