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Meadow's broad shoulders and chiseled physique were evident even beneath the simple flannel shirt and well-worn jeans he wore. It was a stark contrast to the designer labels Marigold was accustomed to seeing on men in the city.

As he drew near, Marigold felt an inexplicable flutter in her chest.

She hesitated, suddenly unsure how to begin.

Meadow offered a gentle smile and a reassuring nod.

"Welcome to the ranch. I'm Meadow. You must be Marigold?"

His voice was deep and melodious, instantly soothing her nerves. Marigold nodded, returning his smile tentatively.

"Yes, that's me. I'm here for my first lesson, though I'm not quite sure where to start."

"No worries," Meadow replied, his tone warm and encouraging. "We'll take it nice and slow. Everyone's a beginner at some point."

As he spoke, Marigold became acutely aware of his scent —a heady mixture of sun-warmed leather, fresh hay, and something uniquely... Alpha.It made her body hum with an unexpected delight, a warmth cascading through her that she'd never experienced before — not even with Rowan.

Startled by her intense physical response, Marigold tried to focus on Meadow's words.

"H-Have you worked with many first-time riders?" she asked, attempting to ignore the heat pooling low in her belly.

"Quite a few," Meadow answered, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "It's always a joy to introduce someone to the world of horses."

Marigold found herself wondering if he was married, then immediately chastised herself for the thought. She was here to heal, not to pry into a stranger's life or entertain any romantic notions.

"I'm looking forward to it," she managed, hoping her voice didn't betray the confusing mix of emotions swirling within her. "Though I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous."

Meadow's reassuring presence seemed to ground her, even as her Omega instincts thrilled at his proximity. It was an odd dichotomy — feeling both unsettled and comforted at the same time.

"That's perfectly natural," Meadow said, gesturing towards the stables. "Why don't we start by introducing you to some of our gentler horses? No pressure to ride today if you're not feeling up to it."

Marigold nodded gratefully, falling into step beside him.

As they walked, she couldn't help but marvel at the easy, confident way he moved. It was so different from the calculated swagger of city Alphas, yet infinitely more appealing.

"Get a grip," she silently admonished herself. "You're here to ride horses, not ogle the instructor." But even as she tried to focus on the task at hand, Marigold couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just shifted in her world.

As they approached the stables, a symphony of soft whinnies and the earthy aroma of hay enveloped Marigold.

The warm, musky scent of the barn washed over her, instantly soothing her frayed nerves. She inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of peace settle into her bones — a stark contrast to the chaos that had defined her life in recent months.

"This is Daisy," Meadow said, his voice low and steady as he gestured to a dappled gray mare. "She's one of our gentlest horses, perfect for beginners."

Marigold's eyes widened as she took in the beautiful creature before her.

Without thinking, she let out a quiet squeal of delight, then immediately blushed, embarrassed by her childlike enthusiasm.

"She's gorgeous," Marigold breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never been this close to a horse before."

Meadow's lips curved into a gentle smile.

"Would you like to approach her?"

Marigold nodded eagerly, then hesitated.

"I... I should probably admit that this is my first time doing anything like this. But I really want to try."

"That's perfectly alright," Meadow assured her, his calm demeanor washing over her like a soothing balm. "We'll take it slow. First, let's talk about how to approach Daisy safely."