The second Hunter showed up on Camila's doorstep, he knew this couldn't last.
Yes, Camila welcomed him and the rest of Luz's friends into her home, but there's no way she would want him there for too long.
He never let himself get comfortable because, the second he did, the rug would be oulled out from under him. That's just how his life worked.
But, the rug pull never came.
Not when Camila offered to let him continue to live with her after Belos was defeated.
Not when Luz and Vee started calling Hunter their brother.
Not when Camila started calling Hunter her son.
And Hunter was happy, most of the time. His mother and sisters continued to promise that he'd never be kicked out and he'd always be a part of their family.
But, despite all of this, there was still a voice in the back of his head saying that this was all only temporary and that he would be sent away on his own soon.
He hated that this voice was there and he constantly tried to think logically about why Camila, Luz, and Vee wouldn't do this. But, no matter what he tried, the voice never really left. "Hunter," Camila called, "Could you come down to your room really quick?"
Even after everything, the basement was still considered Hunter's room.
He didn't mind, though. The fact that his room was so far away from every other room meant that he could use it as a sanctuary when everything got to be too much for him.
Plus, Camila had promised he could start decorating it however he wanted once everything calmed down. She even promised to take him to some stores in a couple of weeks.
A promise the voice in the back of his head told him she wouldn't keep.
"What did you need," Hunter asked as he descended the stairs, actively fighting to not add a "ma'am" after Camila insisted he stop calling her that.
"We just have a little surprise for you," Vee replied.
Now Hunter was confused. Why were Camila and Vee in his room?
His confusion only grew when he got to the bottom of the stairs and saw Luz was also down there, and that the three of them were all blocking his view of the room.
"What's going on," Hunter questioned.
"Before we show you," Camila responded, "I just want you to know that, if you don't like it, you can tell us and we can get you one you do like."
"Um," Hunter stuttered, "Ok."
The three then moved aside to show Hunter what they were hiding: in the place where Hunter's cot once sat, a new bed.
The mattress was the perfect size for him, the bed frame was made of green wood, and a fleece blanket covered the mattress, showing three wolves howling at the moon. Hunter walked over to the mattress, speechless, and felt it. It was one of the softest materials he'd ever felt.
"So," Vee asked, "What do you think?"
Hunter actually had two different thoughts.
First, Hunter was blown away that Camila, Luz, and Vee were able to pick out the perfect bed for him without him even telling them what he wanted. As if they wanted to show how much they knew him. As if they wanted to show how much they loved him.
Second, Hunter knew a bed was one of the most expensive pieces of furniture found in most homes. He knew Camila would not buy him this if she was planning to kick him out.
And this was when the voice in the back of his mind seemed to finally shut up.
"This is really happening," Hunter gasped.
"Of course it is," Luz reassured, partially aware of Hunter's difficulties accepting their love.
"You really want me to stay," Hunter continued, starting to tear up, "You really want me to be a part of the family."
Hunter's family saw that Hunter was about to cry, so they gathered in front of him with their arms out, asking if he's ok to be hugged. Hunter answered their question by grabbing all three of them in the tightest hug he could.
"I love you all so much," Hunter sobbed.
"We love you too, mijo," Camila comforted, joining her son and daughters in their group hug.
Hunter was now a Noceda, and he couldn't be happier.