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Scarlett

She was curled up in bed wearing Mateo’s sweater, inhaling Vince’s fading scent from the shirt he’d worn last. She tried not to feel lonely but as she worked through her second week without them, she couldn’t help but feel the pain of missing them.

She knew she could call them at any time.

At least, that’s what they’d offered, but she didn’t dare do it.

She was terrified of calling them in the midst of a fight.

What if her call was the one thing to distract them?

Or even worse, was the thing that tipped off their hideout?

She just couldn’t, so she spent her days watching the hands on the clock move.

Although she was reluctant to start her day, her growling stomach demanded that she search for food.

She hadn’t left the house in a day or two.

Maybe three? Who was counting anyway—so she’d made plans to go into the village and visit her new friend at the bakery to grab a few treats.

Mrs. Slevenor was always up for a wee chat, and it always lightened Scarlett’s mood too.

She missed working for her pack and having lunch with the elders.

She even missed the noise and the oh so messy children.

She had a light breakfast to soothe her upset stomach and then took her time picking out her outfit.

Without her mates around, she couldn’t find the energy to dress up.

Their adoration and desire had been her driving force in getting ready for her day.

It was hard walking out into the living room without Ezra scrambling to help her into her shoes.

It had felt odd at first, especially because it was Ezra , the one who had made her feel the most uncomfortable.

Now he was the one to make her feel like a princess— his princess.

She strolled to the bakery, overjoyed to see Mrs. Slevenor and her husband behind the counter.

They had been married for over thirty years and still had the same spark as on the day they met.

At least, that’s what they both kept telling her.

They’d seen her with all three of her mates and though they were old fashioned, they hadn’t been anything but sweet.

“All by yourself still?” Mrs. Slevenor asked.

“Unfortunately.”

“Let’s hope those young lads haven’t been lost on the mountains,” Mr. Slevenor chuckled, holding a paper bag open for his wife to add Scarlett’s treats.

“Don’t scare the poor girl! They seemed quite capable when I met them.”

“Of course,” he agreed, turning to Scarlett with a soft smile. “I’m sure they are just fine.”

“I think they are enjoying not having to worry or slow down from me.”

“From what I have overheard them say, they were proud of the progress you are making. Said you would turn into a fantastic hiker.”

“You two are very sweet.”

Mrs. Slevenor eyed her for a moment, then put a hand on her hip. “How would you feel about having dinner with us?”

Scarlett was so grateful for the invitation that all she could do was to stare at the elderly woman for a few moments. “I would love that very much. Would you like me to bring anything?”

“Just you and your beautiful soul. We live upstairs so just come see us after closing.”

Scarlett made her way back to the cabin with a lighter heart, already trying to think of what she could bring just to say thank you.

She’d been taught it was rude to show up to an event empty-handed and though she didn’t part on good terms with her parents, she was not about to abandon everything they’d raised her to be.

The rest of her day was spent sketching.

She was working on a picture of her men safe and sound, standing together.

Mateo, playful as he was. Ezra, with his seductive but arrogant smile on his lips, and finally Vince: their haven of peace.

She started on Ezra’s arms. His hands were in his pockets, but she had a lot of tattoos to work on.

It was dreadful work, and she kept erasing them, only to realise that she hated them because his scars were missing.

She paused, taking in the strokes of her pencil as she drew his first one.

Tears filling her eyes made it impossible to continue with the second and she tossed the book aside, saving the pages from her tears.

She wasn’t exactly sure why she was crying.

Maybe because she truly realised for the first time that she loved him—that she loved all of him.

When she’d met him, she’d tried to figure out how to help him.

No, she’d tried to normalise him, to mould him into what society would want him to be.

Now, the thought of changing who he was hurt her soul.

She knew his mental health wasn’t stable, nor normal, but he was exactly who he wanted to be.

He’d been forced to mask himself his entire life.

He’d hidden himself from her because he’d been afraid of her rejection.

Looking at her sketch, she could see clearly that she did help the storm clouds part slightly.

Unable to continue with Ezra, she moved onto Mateo, who she felt she’d neglected in real life.

They’d barely spent two days out on the hike alone and even though she’d tried to spend as much time with him as she could, it felt like a glimpse compared to how much time Ezra and Vince had gotten.

She didn’t want him to feel left out, which he clearly had, even though he would never put the fault on her.

Sighing to herself, she drew his warm, cinnamon-coloured eyes.

The ones that had shown her their mate bond for the very first time.

She thought back to that day she first met him—met them .

It felt like a lifetime ago. From the beginning, Mateo had been the soft one, the one to tell her she was safe with them.

He had always looked out for her, had tamed Ezra until she found the courage to do so herself, while trying to make sense of the distance between her and Vince.

His needs had always come second as far as she understood and now, she would help him to make his needs a priority again.

Her evening with the Slevenors was just what she needed.

They talked about their family, how they handled an empty nest and spent time visiting the grandchildren.

They showed her pictures and the moment she saw their daughter with her wife, she understood why it was so easy for them to accept Scarlett’s rather… unconventional relationship.

As much fun as the evening was, they made sure to send her on her way before nightfall. She’d just changed and was about to curl up in bed when the phone in the living room started to ring.

She sprinted like she never had before, answering the phone completely out of breath. “Yes?”

“Scarlett,” Mateo hummed, exhausted.

“I’m here.”

“It’s so good to hear your voice.”

“You sound tired.”

He chuckled, then groaned as if he was in pain. “We are but I think it would be soul-soothing for Ezra to hear your voice.”

Mateo handed over the phone, and Ezra’s voice echoed through the line, cracking as if he were about to cry. “Princess.”

“I’m here.”

“Talk to me.”

He sounded desperate, to the point where Scarlett began to worry, but she tried not to let that show.

“I had dinner with the bakery owners today. They have been very sweet to me and always open for a chat.” She laughed gently, hoping she kept her voice steady enough.

“They told me how they overheard the three of you talk about me, how proud you were of me for the progress I made with my hiking. I thought they might judge us and pry about our relationship, but they have been nothing but open, not one bad comment.”

“More,” he hummed, shuffling in his spot.

“I have been drawing you and spending time at home so I can wear your clothes. They have your scent all over them.” She paused for a moment, trying to find the right words without sounding ashamed. “I opened your gift too. I used it for the first time a few days ago.”

“Oh, sweet princess,” he purred. “Did you think of us while fucking yourself?”

“Yes, but it didn’t feel as good as any of you.”

He laughed rough and deep. “I will not be replaced after all.”

“Where is Vince?” she asked, trying to keep her voice from shaking.

“On his way to get the quad.”

“You’re done?”

“Yes, they are dead.”

“How are you?”

“Fine,” he snapped, but Scarlett knew it was a lie, and knowing that it was a lie only made her fear spiral.

Ignoring her racing heart, she let her voice swell with love. “I’m proud of you—all of you.”

There was a pause and then Mateo’s voice came through the speaker again. “We are not sure when we’ll be back to the cabin but once we are, we are leaving right away.”

“I know. I’ll make sure to have everything packed up.”

“Thank you.”

“Mateo?”

“Yes?”

“Please be honest with me. Are you okay?”

“We will be. We just need to heal and rest. There is no need to worry about us.”

“I always worry about you. All three of you.”

There was a soft chuckle, but it was only a shadow of his typical bubbly laugh. “Of course you do.”

“I’ll start packing and make sure I can be ready to leave within a few hours’ notice.”

“It will take at least a few days, so don’t rush yourself.”

“Only if you promise to take it slow too.”

“I promise.”

Then the line went dead, and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. They were hurt and exhausted and still had a long way to get back.