Page 17 of Golden Desires

The sounds I make are obscene as I sink low until the lavender scented water meets my chin. This feels divine. Warm baths have definitely made the list of things I am going to do every chance I get. They have officially become goal number three. I keep my injured arm above water, since I doubt I should get the bandage wet. I dunk my head under, remaining there for a moment, as the muffled silence of the water soothes me.

I could spend weeks in this water. I’m probably turning it brown with how dirty I am, unfortunately, so I sit up.

Looking around, I see a bar of soap and a soft cloth. I rest my injured arm on the side of the tub while I use the other to gently scrub the dirt from my skin. The soap and water sting the cuts covering what feels like my entire body. The damn trees assaulted every available inch.

The scars on my legs from all the injuries I’ve had in my life become more visible as I wash them. I know they’re mild, though, compared to the ones my father left on my back. He is an angry and violent man.

“Never again,” I promise in a tearful whisper, as I finish washing myself. I refuse to be a victim again. The deep purple bruising on my rib cage makes me wince as I attempt to tame my hair. It’s full of dirt and twigs, and I do my best to wash it one-handed. Wringing out as much water as I can, I tuck my hair over the lip of the tub while I lean back to soak in the heat of the water a little longer.

I close my eyes and give myself a moment to breathe. If someone had said to me yesterday, that today I would find myself relaxing in a warm bath, in a stranger's home, while a large Alpha and his brothers prepare dinner… I would have thought they were suffering from a fever.

A short while later, a soft knock at the door makes my eyes pop open, and I sit up in a rush.

“I have some items here for you. I am going to set them on the ground outside the door. Take your time,” Cillian says through the door. “Come out when you’re ready, and we’ll get you fed.”

I wait for a moment before gingerly lifting myself from the tub. I should probably get out now, so I reach for the towel. I take a moment to dry myself, before wrapping the soft fabric around my middle, so I can hide my more intimate parts before I open the door.

Now that I’m out of the best bath of my life, some of my aches become more noticeable.

Using my injured arm to hold the towel in place across my chest, I take quiet steps to the door, pausing before opening it slowly. On the floor is a bundle of fabric with a beautiful silver hairbrush sitting on top. I grab everything quickly before darting back into the room and shutting the door with unnecessary force in my haste.

I place the items on the vanity, and take a long look at myself in the mirror.

My golden hair drips water down my shoulders and onto the floor. I look down, frowning at the state of my body. I know I don’t eat enough, and that's glaringly obvious at this moment as I take in the sight of my too skinny frame. Omegas are supposed to be softer, curvier.

Unlike the newer marks on my arms and legs, the scars on my back have faded with time, thankfully. My father’s favorite way to punish me was with a belt across my skin. Age gave me the speed and knowledge to escape the worst of his notice.

Donald also left his marks on me. Huffing, I turn away from the mirror and drop my towel on the floor, so I can dress.

A blush overtakes my cheeks as I pull on the cream sweater that I had stolen earlier. Soft linen pants that are deliciously smooth cause a tingle across my skin as I pull them on. Everything I’ve ever owned, except for that atrocious wedding dress, were made for long winters, or hot summers. Not comfort. I’ve never worn anything like it.

The pants are a bit large, but they have a string I can tie to keep them on my waist, and I roll them several times so they aren’t so dang long.

When I see a pair of clean, fuzzy socks, I snatch them up and tug them on, letting out a happy squeal as I do. My eyes fall shut for a moment as I wiggle my toes. These are magic. Acting on pure instinct at this point, I hunt for the previous pair I’d commandeered and stuff them in the pockets of my pants. If they ask me to give them back I will, but if they never ask, then maybe that means they want me to have them… Or that's what I’m going to tell myself.

It’s shocking to see how much better I look now that I’ve tamed some tangles that took forever to brush through. It would be odd to stuff this brush in my pocket along with the socks, so I take a moment to admire it, before placing it on the vanity. It was very sweet of Cillian to offer a stranger all these things.

He doesn’t know me at all, caught me sleeping in his home without invitation, and instead of anger, he’s helping me. Is it because he’s an Alpha, and his instincts are driving him to care for the Omega in need. Probably. Though, I haven’t known Alpha’s to be this helpful in the past.

I’ve never seen Cillian before, so I know he’s not from my village. Maybe the Alphas where he’s from treat their Omegas better.

With a final glance in the mirror, and a deep breath to steady myself, I make my way out of the washroom in search of the man kind enough to save Bear and run me a bath.

I find him waiting for me at the end of the hall that leads to the kitchen and living area.

The cracked pepper and sandalwood smell coming off of him makes me dizzy with a new and curious desire.

He’s over six feet tall, and the muscles of his lean body fill out the fitted gray shirt in a way that makes my pulse jump. Hand swept brown hair lays over his forehead as he peers back over his shoulder to make sure I’m following. The gray of his eyes warms as he smiles brightly.

Despite how at ease I feel around him, I’m weary of his intentions. My experience with Alphas has been unpleasant to say the least. Between their cruel words and violent actions, I think I’m entitled to be suspicious.

My instincts urge me to trust him. To curl up in his scent, hell, my instincts want me to roll around in the smell and then lick him for good measure.

My mind drifts off a bit as I picture what that might look like. Rubbing my naked skin all over his… Nope. No. I cannot go there! Very bad idea! Imagining us naked together… I shiver.

I’m still shaking off the shivers rolling down my spine, as I step out into the living space. The first thing that hits me is the aroma. It’s stronger now than before. Every breath I take fills my lungs with these men.

And food. They took the time to cook dinner. My mouth waters, and I’m surprised by how anxious I am to eat.

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