Page 51 of Golden Desires

The low shelving that sits along the wall across from me holds an assortment of nesting materials and the remains of a meal or two. Beside the door to what I expect is the hallway, double doors lead to a large washroom. The glimpse of the largest bathtub I have ever seen has me thinking of how their monstrous forms might fit.

Covering most of the room, the mattress that holds me sits low to the floor, on a raised platform. The knitted throws, something I recently learned is a hobby of Cill’s, are in a variety of colors that make me want to snuggle down and take a nap. Short of the comfort of our cave, this nest makes me feel the most peaceful I have ever felt in my life.

“This nest is amazing…” I trail off as I shuffle to the end of the bed. Looking up at the wall behind the cushioned headboard, I spot a large carving “Oh, my…” I murmur.

As I stand to take a better look, the heat of my missing Alpha registers before his scent. Pressing along my back, he bends to place his lips upon his claim on my neck.

“Your nest, pretty Omega. We spent years making it for you.” His breath teases the hair at the back of my neck, while I can’t stop staring at the creation hanging before me. “I started this carving when I realized you were ours. Mine.”

Elegantly carved, a woman’s naked figure lies amongst a tangle of taloned tipped limbs. Her breasts and mound are hidden with the possessive grips of the three monsters. Golden hues are darkened in places to show the difference of the furs from her skin. Instead of fear, her face shows passion while they worship her with teeth and claws.

My breath catches the moment I realize this woman is me, and those monsters are my Alpha’s.

I turn in Aldair’s arms and reach down to catch his hands in my grip. Bringing his fingers to my lips, I kiss the tips and tilt my head back to better see my Alpha.

“Your talent, these hands, are capable of so much beauty. I am in awe of what you create. Of how you care for me. You and your brothers. This nest is everything I could have ever dreamed of,” I say as tears build in my eyes. The passion and love for the care he gives echoes down the bond as I tell him how I feel.

“You are my everything. I will spend the rest of my days showing you such.” He gathers me close, lifting me to his chest with a kiss to my forehead, while I wrap my arms around his neck. Breathing in the smell of him, I can’t help the moan that escapes.

When Aldair releases me from his hug, sliding me down his body slowly, and places me back on my feet, I blush.

I turn to see Cill standing in the doorway with a gentle smile on his face, so different from the usual smirk I catch aimed my way. He steps forward and offers a pretty pink dress with a kiss to my cheek.

“Why don’t you get dressed, I’ll go make us a proper meal. Meet me in the kitchen?” Cillian offers, and I nod. Aldair takes a moment to kiss my other cheek before he leaves the room after his brother.

Stepping into the washroom, I set down the dress, and I take a moment to clean my face and brush my hair back. The light pink fabric that lays across the small dresser by the door is adorned with simple flowers embroidered on the hem. I recognize it as one of the ones Aunt Alma had given me. Once I’ve pulled the dress on, I twirl with a giggle and head to the kitchen in search of Cillian.

I step around the corner from the hallway, when large hands wrap around my face and cover my eyes.

“I have a surprise for you,” Cill says, and I giggle. “Step this way, okay, carefully. Three more steps. Perfect. Are you ready?” he asks, and I nod. “Surprise.” It takes me a moment of blinking to adjust to the light, and then a moment more to understand what I’m seeing.

“Cillian!” I gasp, when I realize what he’s done. Clutching one of his arms, I don’t turn away from the piece of my mother’s memory that I had left behind. “Is that?” Sitting in front of the window seat, sits an old rocking chair. Even from here, I can see the swirls of carved flowers on the headrest and the gentle slope of the arms.

“It is. Sam and Ian brought it over. Your father made sure to leave it with them before he left town. Well, they gave it to Ma, who brought it to the door, since other Alpha’s getting too close would have made the three of us homicidal.” Cill shrugs, and I look at him over my shoulder. I choose not to fixate on the idea that my father wanted me to have this or that he is permanently gone from my life. There is too much joy in my life now to think of the past. “There's more,” he nods to the chair. I spin back, and resting on the faded cushion, is a small locket. One, that until very recently, had been broken and tarnished with age.

“My mother’s locket!” I cry, covering my mouth with my hand. The tears that fall are happy ones, as I throw myself into Cillian's arms. Letting my bond open to send my love for his thoughtfulness through, I close my eyes, my face buried against his chest for a long moment as I cry. When he sets me down, I reach for the locket, before sitting in my mother’s favorite rocking chair for the first time in sixteen years. “Thank you, Cill.” I sniff, and my mate tips his head, before heading to the kitchen to make the meal he promised. Rocking back and forth in the chair of childhood, I can’t help the few tears that escape as I rub my finger on the simple engraving on my now-mended necklace. Both may have been a relic of the love my father felt for my mother, but for me, they hold the new memory of an Alpha who puts his mate first. Sliding the chain around my neck, I head to the table to sit with my playful mate.

Cill’s meal that he made for us is full of flavor. The roast is tender and the vegetables crisp. He never fails to amaze me with his ability to create delicious meals. I can imagine that our days will be full of laughter and good food that we'll share with our young.

After we finish eating, Cill hands me a peanut butter cookie and takes the dishes, nodding in the direction of the wooden door.

“You should go find Ky. He’s got something for you, too.”

“Okay” I murmur, kissing his cheek before making my way out the door. I follow the sounds of a happy nicker and walk toward the barn on the other side of the paddock. “Ky?” I spot him feeding Bear an apple.

“Goldie!” He grins brightly at me, and I can’t help but smile right back. “Come here.” I make my way to his side, patting Bear’s muzzle as I do, noticing that he has Bear in tack but don’t get a chance to ask him what for. “Up you go.” Before I know it, I’m in the air and sitting on Bear.

“What?” I ask, but then I feel it. Looking down, I find that the worn saddle of my youth has been replaced with a shiny, burnished brown leather. It’s stunning. “Oh, Kylan. It’s beautiful,” I say.

“Yeah? So you like it?”

“I love it!” I say, caressing supple leather. Unlike its predecessor, this one is built for comfort, with a gently padded seat and pommel. He has taken the time to tool the leather with a swirling pattern that reminds me of gently rolling clouds over most of the seat, but I spot a pattern of trees reaching at the edges. I smile at the nod to our beginning. The white sinew stitching holding the saddle together is meticulously done, and I can’t imagine how long it took him.

“It took me a long time to make it,” as if he can read my mind. I let the love I feel for this gift and the man in front of me flow through the bond. My shy Alpha doesn’t disappoint when pink blossoms across his cheeks over his beard. Leaning down, I give him a kiss. I surprise him when I give Bear a nudge and race off into the small meadow with his echoing laugh filling the air.

That night at dinner, as I look between my men, I know that I’ve found the place where I belong.

The home where I fit just right.

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