Page 11 of Golden Desires

“I know that, I only wanted to know she’s safe.”

“She’ll be safe in there tonight. She can’t go back to her village now.” Cillian pauses, a sad look passing over his expression. My brothers and I know how that feels. We can never go back to the place we were born. “Ky, she was on a horse, track it. Make sure it didn’t fall into one of our traps. I will remain here to guard her in case anyone stupidly returns.” I nod, eager to feel useful.

“I'll alert Ma first. She will be worried about why I left without saying goodbye. Then I’ll head to the cottage to grab whatever else we might need for tonight,” Aldair says, and I watch as his monstrous form shifts. Before our eyes, his skin ripples with change as golden skin replaces fur. My eyes go wide, as I look at Cillian, who remains himself, and then down at my body. Hope blossoms and then dies in my chest when I don’t change too.

“So Ma was right,” Cill says with a smirk, as Aldair takes a few steps back, causing him to revert to his true monstrous form once more. Maybe I’m just not close enough to her… I glance back to the bush I know conceals her.

“Seems so,” my oldest brother murmurs, looking lost in his thoughts. He says nothing as he starts back the way he and I came.

“Go on, then, baby brother. Go rescue our damsel’s beast,” Cill chuckles, looking as if he’s enjoying himself immensely.

“We’ll shift too? If I… If I’m close to her, my human form will appear?” I ask, and the smirk on my brother's face becomes a somber one in an instant.

“Yes, Kylan. You aren’t a threat to our mate… Not in this form, but you will have a more…approachable form that will appeal to her too.” Cill claps his hand over my shoulder, staring into my eyes. He senses my fears, my brothers both know me well.

“Keep her safe,” I murmur, dropping my gaze to the forest floor. “If I lose control, you’ll–”

“Tackle you to the ground, and pin your head beneath my knee, like I did when you were a teen. You’ve grown, Ky. You are in control, but yes, if you feel like you’re losing yourself, I’ll happily kick your ass.” Cill ruffles my hair like he has since I can remember, and nods toward the forest. “I would go after the horse myself, but the damn thing would probably have a heart attack. You are the only one of us who can save him for her. See if he responds to the name Bear,” Cill adds, and I frown. Our mate said she would find Bear, was she talking about the horse?

Cillian is right, though. He’d terrify the poor beast. Horses are prey. Very large prey, but still, prey nonetheless. They’re scared of their own shadows. Once, I was feeding one a carrot, and it startled at the sight of the damn orange stick in my hand.

“At least we agree on one thing. You’re no animal trainer,” I tease, before taking a deep breath. I’ll save the horse, then return to her side.

I head in the direction my brother indicated, and follow the tracks, and the lingering scent of my mate. It doesn’t take me long to locate the large brown animal.

The whites of his eyes show as he throws his head around at my approach. Dancing hooves keep me moving while I work my way closer to him.

“Hush, friend. I mean you no harm. Your girl sent me. Is your name Bear?” I whisper quietly as I move my knuckles gently down his neck to avoid accidentally injuring him. I’m not as good at retracting my claws as my older brother is. “Your girl sent me. Is your name Bear, big guy?” I continue to talk to him calmly as I check him over for injuries. He’s very well cared for, telling me my mate treasures him very much. The smell of blackberries dipped in honeysuckle coming off of him speaks to how much time she spent near him.

The beast allows me to lead him through the forest, toward our dwelling, and I take the opportunity to speak to him. Attempt to establish a bond between us, so he’ll trust me. He seems more comfortable with me now, but he’s still weary. I can’t blame him. I am a monster, after all. I doubt he’s ever seen my kind before. Honestly, I’m lucky that the sight of me didn’t send him running.

“Your rider loves you very much, I think. She takes good care of you. In return, you’re loyal to her. That’s why you didn’t run far from her, hmm? Even if you were frightened. What a good boy you are.” It comes natural to me, the praise…he seems like he needs it. “Such a good beast, aren’t you?”

I’m able to get him fed and secure in our holding pen, taking my time to make sure he’s comfortable. Showing him the care I believe my mate would ensure he has.

I can’t deny I’m eager to get back to the cave my mate hides in. I sense Aldair is close, but I don’t offer him my help. I need to be closer to my mate if I’m going to be able to shift into the form she’ll prefer.

So instead of joining Aldair, I head back to Cillian and our mate. Because of my speed, I reach him quickly, making him chuckle.

“Should have known it wouldn’t take you long. I bet Aldair returns soon as well.” Cill snorts a laugh, and I just shrug.

“How is she?” I ask, as I approach. Cillian’s leaning against a tree far enough away from the small cave that if our mate were to pop her head out, she wouldn’t spot him, especially in the darkness, but he’s close enough to jump into action if she needs him.

“She’s asleep. I think she’ll most likely remain here tonight,” he sighs, the quiet between us stretching, before he adds, “I don’t want to frighten her, much as I wish to be near her, but…” Cillian says, before reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. I frown…he looks…unsure? Something my older brother has never looked a day in his life. Cillian oozes confidence, and self-assurance. “I thought maybe to light her a fire…” he adds.

“How will she feel if a fire just appears here?” I ask him.

“Fair point. She just doesn’t have fur to keep her warm.”

“I think she’ll be okay just for tonight.” We can’t just light a fire, she’ll see us. And we can’t exactly stuff her hiding spot with blankets. However, our superior senses mean we can listen to her heart rate and breathing. If something is wrong, we’ll know. “We’ll make sure she is warm tomorrow night.” The words are bitter on my tongue. I hate the knowledge that she’s uncomfortable in there. My instincts are screaming at me to care for my mate… “Her horse responded to the name Bear, like you had suggested. He didn’t go far, even though he was frightened.”

“Good. It will be a comfort to her to find him in a safe place, especially if we don’t figure out how to–” My brother frowns, his words trailing off as he looks at his arm. Maybe he isn’t as confident as I assumed. He’s eager for his human form to manifest as well.

I say nothing, lost to the many thoughts that plague me from breathing in the scent of our mate's pheromones. Thankfully, Cill changes the subject.

“I overheard the vile humans from her village speaking about their intentions for her. There’s an Alpha who claims that she is his. He wants to break her in disgusting ways. He ordered the others to hunt her. Her own parents were involved! We cannot allow them to find her, ever.” Cillian’s tone is filled with gravel, as his body shakes with restrained aggression. Cillian has more control over his instincts than I do, but as an outsider, you wouldn’t know that. Especially in moments like this one.

“We’ll keep her safe, and with time, she’ll grow to trust us. She’ll be frightened at first, but I think we can make her comfortable, even if Aldair is the only one of us who finds his second form,” I say, and my brother nods his agreement, but I can tell he’s hoping we shift, just as badly as I am…

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