Page 20 of Golden Desires

“Ugh.” Goldie groans, leaning back now that she’s eaten every last bite. “That was incredible. Will you…” she clears her throat, suddenly looking very shy, as she trails off.

“Will I what?” Cill asks with a smirk, amusement in his tone.

“Oh, well, um…” Goldie fidgets in her seat, looking uncomfortable, and that bothers me. Without even needing to think about it this time, I release more pheromones to help comfort her once more. She sighs, before meeting Cillian’s eyes. “Will you be making breakfast as well?” she asks quietly, looking away as soon as the words are free.

“Absolutely. Nothing would bring me greater joy than to feed you the best breakfast of your life, Little Omega,” Cillian says, a bit of his growl slipping into his voice. Her pupils flare, and she swallows thickly.

“Well, you’ve already given me the best dinner of my life, so I look forward to it,” she giggles, looking down at her plate like she wishes it was still filled with food.

“Would you like more?” I offer, but she must be full. She nearly ate as much as my brothers and me.

“Oh no. I’m so full. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten that much at once before.” She laughs again, this time the sound is almost sad in a way, like she’s trying to make light of a dark situation.

“You’ll never be hungry again, as long as I’m around,” Cill growls, this time sounding on edge, but it makes Goldie smile, rather than fearful like I expected.

“That’s very kind of you,” she murmurs.

Ky stands, his hands balled into fists at his sides, and I realize I hadn’t noticed how upset he had become. Foolish mistake. Goldie distracts me. I need to be vigilant! It’s my duty to keep her safe. I’m ready to jump to my feet to protect my mate, but Cill places a firm hand on my shoulder. The subtle shake of his head tells me he knows where my thoughts were headed.

“Trust, brother,” Cill growls so quietly I almost don't hear him.

“I better go make sure the animals are settled for the evening,” Ky states, his voice strained, but he’s in control. “Your horse will be well cared for, Goldie. He’ll be comfortable tonight and every night he spends here with us,” he reassures her, his body seeming to relax, as she stares up at him with so much gratitude in her blue eyes, it nearly breaks me. She’s so used to cruelty, that the bare minimum level of kindness is something that overwhelms her.

That will change. My brothers and I will show her a great deal more kindness and care. So much that she’ll practically drown in it! One day, Goldie will be fierce and confident. I will make sure of it.

“Thank you for taking such good care of my friend, I appreciate it. Bear means everything to me. I don’t think I could live without him,” she says gently. And I know, deep in my heart, that Ky, Cill, and I will do everything we can to make sure that horse lives a long and healthy life. If Goldie loves him so deeply, so will we.

“It’s my honor, Goldie.” Ky dips his head to her, the tips of his ears poking through his long blond hair pinken before he makes a quick exit out the front door.

“Come, you can rest by the fire while my brother and I clean up. Then I’d like to take you outside so you can see the rest of our home,” I say, as I make my way around the table, offering a hand out to Goldie. She takes it without hesitation, causing my chest to swell with pride. She doesn’t even realize how much that one action meant to me.

“I can help you clean up…” she offers, but I shake my head.

“Perhaps tomorrow night, but tonight, just make yourself at home. You can read, if you like,” I say, gesturing to the many books we’ve collected. I watch her carefully, waiting to see if she protests my suggestion that she’ll be eating dinner with us again, but she doesn’t even seem to notice it. Her eyes light up, as she looks at our shelves of books.

“You wouldn’t mind?” she asks, and I shake my head, turning to lead her to the book nook, rather than the rocking chair I made just for her.

“Never, Goldie. Help yourself.” To my heart. To my home. To everything I have, and everything I am. You can take it all, all I want in return is you…

Chapter Eleven

Goldie

“Hey, Bear,” I murmur, as I approach him. I can tell he’s happy to see me, even if it is so early the sun’s light barely breaks the treeline. “How’d you sleep last night, hmm?” I ask, as I stroke his mane. “Last night was…bizarre,” I sigh, remembering the way the Alphas treated me.

After dinner, Aldair showed me their book collection, and said I could borrow any of them I wanted. I was so overwhelmed with choices, that I couldn’t decide. I ended up just flipping one after the other open, and reading the first few lines.

I hadn’t even realized how much time had passed before Aldair was inviting me out for the walk.

“What do you think?” Aldair asks, as we gaze out at the beautiful water.

“It’s breathtaking,” I whisper, stunned by the sight. The gentle breeze carries the scent of wildflowers from the field around us as we watch the ripple of the water on the riverbank. Seeing the encroaching forest from the other side doesn't have the same foreboding as before. Here I feel safe and free.

Nestled in the hidden valley of the rocky range, the home backs up to the rock face of the mountain. The covered porch holds a large swing, big enough to hold two Alphas. Another set of well crafted rocking chairs sit on either side. Three decent sized buildings are spaced around the area, with a fenced field that connects with the paddock from the other side of the cave entrance.

The closest shed hosts double doors that open into a large woodworking shop. Tools of all kinds hang along the wall with precision while various projects, in various stages, sit on the countertops.

Beyond a small gate, the neat rows of raised beds hold all kinds of vegetables and herbs. A shed stands further back behind the garden beds, with a set of glass windows on either side of the door. Little pots are visible, making it clear this is a garden shed of sorts.

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