Page 34 of Golden Desires

“How do we start?”

“We’ve already started. Now we just need time, everything will happen naturally how it should. Plus, it helps that she finds us attractive. Just be yourself. Come along, brother, we have a mate to woo.” I smile as I make my way out into the sun.

Ky and I are finishing up with the bench I had begun to build out by the river bank when the scent of berries and honey fills the air. His head snaps up at the same time as mine when the scent hits us, and we see Cill leading Goldie out of the forest holding hands.

I don’t bother to hide my snort of laughter at the fact that he left his shirt off for the journey back. By the gleam in our mate's eyes and the way she glances up at him often, he has the right idea. I catch Ky pulling his shirt off out of the corner of my eye. I chuckle when he shrugs at my unspoken question. If you can’t beat’em, join’em. Maybe our talk did more good than I thought.

“How was the water?” I ask with a smirk when I finally can catch her attention. The flush of pink over her cheeks has me imagining how far the color can spread across her skin.

“It was wonderful! Definitely the best day I’ve had. Although, I wasn’t expecting the mountain climbing…” Her eyebrow arches, and she shoots Cill a pointed look, who simply smiles unapologetically.

“Some things are worth the effort. I worked up quite an appetite, so I think I’ll get dinner going,” he says as he trails his thumb across his lips. I don’t miss the hidden meaning as Goldie’s cheeks go red, and she huffs out in exasperation. His laugh as he walks back to the house has me struggling to contain my own.

I drag my hand across the stubble on my chin as I set down the tool I had been using. I haven’t decided to keep shaving like Cill or letting it grow out like Ky.

Goldie peers up at me as she comes over to inspect our handiwork.

“That wasn’t here before… Did you build that today?” she asks.

“We did. Ky was kind enough to help me get in going after you left. I was thinking we needed a place to sit out here.” It’s large enough for all of us. Goldie seemed to enjoy being out here that first night, so I wanted her to have a comfortable spot to relax.

“It’s very impressive! You both are so talented with your hands...” she trails off when her eyes meet mine. Naughty little mate is getting brave.

Ky shifts his feet when he catches the meaning, and I see the moment she clocks his shirtless chest. The smell of her arousal fills the area, and I decide to take pity on them both.

“Let’s clean up and head inside. You can take a warm bath before dinner,” I say as I gather the tools we used. Ky surprises me when he grabs them out of my hand and nods to Goldie.

“I will take care of these, why don’t you both go on ahead. I’m going to feed the animals and rinse off in the river real fast.”

Ky’s steps are quick as he carries everything back to the workshop. Goldie's eyes are glued to him as he disappears in the doorway. A little huff of exasperation escapes her as she turns to look at me.

We make our way back to the house when she surprises me.

“I am going to have to tie that man down to get him to talk to me,” she grumbles, frowning as she follows me toward the washroom.

“Come on, pretty Omega. Save the rope play for later.” I shake my head as I set everything up for her bath.

“Thanks,” she sighs, after I’m finished. She has a stack of clothes, and everything is ready for her to bathe, so I turn to walk out, but she stops me. “Did I scare him away forever?” she whispers, and I look over my shoulder, hand on the doorknob.

“No, Goldie. Kylan is just struggling with himself right now. Give him time, he’ll open up to you.” I smile gently, before shutting the door behind me as I leave her to her bath.

The table has already been set with a deer roast from my latest hunt and a selection of potatoes and corn from the garden. Cillian made plenty. He always has, but now that our mate is eating too, he makes even more for her. She likes to have seconds, and thirds.

Goldie comes out of the bathroom, wearing clothes that are all a better fit to her size. None of it came from Ma, but we’ll tell our mate that the clothes are all items we’ve been gathering, and making, just for her soon enough.

“This smells so good,” Goldie hums, as she sucks in a deep breath. Cillian looks rather proud of himself, and I can understand why. Goldie’s praise is like a shot of moonshine.

After she sits, I fill her plate first, as my instinct demands I care for my mate.

I’m about to set the plate in front of her, but she’s staring at the monsters carved into the table. Her fingers dance across the intricate detailing, and I set her plate to the side, as my heart rate picks up speed. Now is the perfect time to talk to her about our kind, before she learns more about us.

“I keep meaning to ask about your table. I can’t believe the detail… Where did you find this?” She’s focused on the table, as she gently runs her fingers over one monster and then the next.

“Do you like it? It’s a love story,” I tell her, and when her eyes light up with curiosity, I know I’ve got her attention. She’s intrigued. I soak in the moment, because there was a time when I didn’t think we’d be sitting here with our mate.

“I love it. It’s incredibly beautiful. I’ve heard various tales over the years. My parents, like most of the villagers, would often use the tales to keep the children in line. They were said to be terrifying beings who communed with spirits and monsters. But how is it a love story?” she asks with a frown, her food all but forgotten as she stares at my art. In truth, this is a love story about us. Of how I found her, and how I so desperately wanted to care for her from the very first moment. But also how me and my brothers got to this point. Of my parents dying, and Ma saving us. The story of our people, at least what I know of it.

It’s a story of the love I feel for where I came from, and where I am now. The blending of my two worlds.

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