Page 8 of Golden Desires

I look around frantically, needing a hiding spot more than ever, now that I’m injured and Bear is gone. I spot what appears to be a small cave. With Bear running the opposite direction, I clutch my broken wrist to my chest, as I make my way to the small alcove at the base of the cliff face that is hidden by shrubs. Spotting a broken pine branch on my way, I tuck the arm I can’t use to my side while using the other to drag the tree limb behind me to cover both my scent and my steps.

My heart rattles my chest as I wiggle into the rocks feet first. The hole is just large enough for my body, and I can just roll over onto my back, and attempt to calm my breathing. I’m being too loud. Using the last burst of energy from the adrenaline, I pull the branch across the opening of the small cave to help disguise my hiding place. The sounds are muffled in here, but I can tell Donald, the men helping him hunt me, and the hounds are getting closer still.

Moments later, maybe a few minutes at best, my heart leaps into my throat when I see the branches I used to hide my little cave hole shake. Two hounds chase their noses along the ground, while the familiar figure of my intended stalks behind them. He looks even more hideous when upside down, I think.

The pain from my wrist, that is now shifting colors, must be getting to my head. This angle wasn’t my wisest, but it allows me to remain hidden, as well as protects my wrist from further damage. Had I not fallen off Bear, I might never have seen this hole. Of course, I wouldn’t have broken my wrist either. I’m full of wins and losses today.

The pain is all too familiar, and I know I’ll need to tend to it as soon as I find Bear. The moment I’m sure it’s safe to leave this cave, I’m going after my only friend. I can’t leave him to face the monsters alone. The moment I realize Donald is lingering in the clearing, I look for something to defend myself with. Clasping a jagged rock in my hand, I wait on bated breath. Cursing my existence, Donald is about to turn in my direction when a loud crack echoes through the forest. It is quickly followed by a larger sound and another man rushing toward him with hounds at his feet.

“It’s pointless, sir. We’ve lost the light of the day and need to get back. The rest of the hounds are spooked, and I don’t want to chance encountering the creatures of the forest,” the slighter Beta frantically says to Donald as he paces the clearing. I recognize the man from the kennels that hold the village’s hunting hounds. Betas tend to dislike Omegas, because they can rarely mate with us. Somehow, it’s our fault that Betas don’t have knots. But this Beta has never sneered at me the same way the others have. If anything, he always seemed neutral.

Before he has time to respond, a ferocious roar echoes in the clearing. The hounds scatter and dash into the forest.

“Get back to the horses, sir. We need to ride hard to make it back to the village before we put ourselves in danger,” the Beta says, as he dashes after his hounds.

“I will find you, you little bitch. What I have planned for you…you’ll regret ever having denied me,” he snarls, as I hold my breath. If he catches me, I’ll slam this rock into his eye socket.

I exhale slowly when he turns away. Every step he takes further away from me, the easier I breathe.

My shoulders slump with relief as I all but collapse against the floor of the cave beneath me. Allowing a low Omega whine to escape, I tuck myself into a tight ball against the wall. Whatever awaits me in the dark of the night here, I will gladly face rather than submit to that man.

The anxiety, and adrenaline settle, while the pain in my arm becomes overwhelming. I just want tonight to be over, so I can go find Bear. Fuck, I hope he doesn’t run back to the village.

“I’ll find you Bear…” I vow, as my eyes grow heavy, and I drift off into a pain filled sleep.

Chapter Five

Cillian

Pacing the banks of the river, I carefully watch for my prey. Fishing is something that allows my mind to rest, and using my talons to catch them gives my instincts a chance to take over. I’m closer to the village than Ma would like, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. Besides, the sun is setting now, meaning the humans aren’t likely to venture this far into the forest.

They’re too scared of encountering a monster… One just like me. The notion makes me laugh. I’ve never had the desire to eat a human, nor have I killed one. But I would, to protect my family…

My thoughts are taking an unnecessary dark turn, but that's nothing new when I think of the humans. Memories of the day my parents were killed flash through my mind and distract me from my hunt.

“Stay hidden, keep quiet,” the human-looking woman with my mother's voice says. She sees the confusion on our faces, but she doesn’t have time to explain. “Once we’re safe, I’ll tell you everything.” She presses a kiss to each of our cheeks, before looking over her shoulder once again. We’re tucked into a cave hole just large enough for my brothers and me. “No matter what you hear, do not come out…” She hisses, a tear trailing down her pale skin.

With a growl of frustration, I shake my head, and shove the memories away. I concentrate on my task, refusing to visit the past again.

Ma’s lessons allowed us to better understand humanity and use their more basic tools, but it repressed our monsters’ natural abilities. Which is why I’m out here, fishing with my claws, and not the nets Ma prefers.

As an Alpha, working with my brothers to forage and collect for our pack brings me a certain sense of peace. That I get to be close to the village where my mate lives is an added bonus, even if it’s a risk.

The woman that occupies our thoughts, since Aldair scented her years ago, is quickly approaching the age of her first heat. Ma has reminds us frequently, and forcefully, that our human Omega will need a lot of attention and care during that time. Her instincts will drive her to mate us, sending us into a rut. We’ll nest and breed her. If she doesn’t reject us.

There’s a reason my brothers and I haven’t revealed ourselves to her yet, despite several close calls. To her, we’re monsters. We need time to woo her. Something this form might not allow us to do. If Ma is correct, though, there’s still hope that we’ll be capable of a second form.

Against my will, images of my parents flash in my mind's eye again. The human way they looked before their death’s… We’d never seen them shift before that day. We hadn’t even known it was something they could do.

What would it feel like to be human? Frightening, I would imagine. To be so weak, in skin that provides no protection from the elements or injury.

Perhaps it could be an adventure, though. Oh, to be so close to death at all times. One careless step away from losing a limb.

I’ve seen Ma stub her toe many times over the years. Watched her wail in pain. Such tiny little bones…

With a rush of motion, I skewer two fish with one hand. Before I’m able to celebrate the catch, a commotion from the direction of the human village distracts me. I crouch low, watching them closely.

Agitated voices raise the brown tipped black fur along my arms as they get closer to the river.

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