Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Goldie

When Cillian leaves the washroom, I deflate. His presence put me on edge, but I’m surprised by the emptiness I’m left with once he’s gone. Why do I feel so lonely now that I’m in this room alone? I’m used to being alone. I’ve spent most of my life trying to be alone, in fact!

Carefully removing the ruined wedding dress with my single working arm, I ease myself into the warm water. I can’t remember the last time I took a warm bath. I know it was when I was little, back when my mother was still alive. Once she was gone, I had to use the tub as quickly as possible. Hell, just yesterday my stepmother had me washing from a bucket.

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.

“Hello,” a deep, cheerful, but slightly nervous voice says, drawing my attention to the fireplace, and the chairs I checked out earlier.

Beside the largest of chairs is an attractive man, shifting on his feet like he’s uncomfortable, or maybe excited? His long blond hair hangs loose around his shoulders, and amber eyes meet mine with a hint of something I’ve seen many times before, longing. Only this time, there are no undertones of malice or violence.

He’s the one who smells like clover and leather. It’s his sweater I stole earlier. The same one I’m wearing now. He looks younger than Cillian, but not by much. His white shirt clings to his broad chest, and his leather trousers hang low on his hips. He is the biggest man I have ever seen. Cillian being the second largest, and until this point, I’d thought he was the biggest. I’m distracted when the front door opens and another Alpha enters.

The second he sees me, his brown eyes drop to meet mine. He pauses mid-stride, eyebrows raised, and just stares for a moment. He’s not much shorter than the blond Alpha, and his arms are just as broad and muscular. Shaggy black hair escapes a low tie on the back of his head. Why does his attention feel so familiar? Like I’ve been trapped under his alluring gaze before.

Jeez, he’s handsome. All three of them are. I can see the similarities between them in their straight noses, strong jawline, and plush lips, proving they’re brothers, as Cillian said.

“Welcome to our home. It’s nice to meet you,” he says quietly as he moves a little closer, bringing his scent with him. “My name is Aldair, and this is Kylan,” he adds, gesturing to the blond by the fireplace. Cedar notes tease my nose as he stops a few feet from me.

“I’m Goldie. It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m sorry I intruded, I don’t know what came over me…” I trail off, shaking my head at myself. I practically broke in here and then made myself right at home without even knowing the people that live here.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, we’re happy to help,” Kylan states quickly, looking between his brothers before he looks back at me. He slowly takes a seat in the chair beside him. The action somehow lessens the tension I feel now that he is not towering over the room.

Cillian nods at his brothers, then turns to the kitchen, I assume so he can finish up dinner. Aldair steps forward with an arm extended to gesture at the smaller of the chairs.

“We made rabbit for dinner. You should sit. Make yourself comfortable. We’ll finish up and then serve you.” There’s a command in his tone, but I don’t mind it so much. I nod, climbing into the chair, and tuck my knees up against my chest.

I glance between the men as Cillian moves around the kitchen with practiced ease. I notice that both Kylan and Aldair have angled themselves toward me. For a moment, I wonder if their attention is from their instincts, needing to be aware of the Omega in the room. I don’t feel threatened by their perusal, like most Alpha’s have made me feel in the past.

My attention is drawn to the Alpha cooking dinner after he clears his throat.

“I hope you’re hungry. We made more than enough for everyone.” Cillian looks out the window, nodding to the darkening sky. “The sun will set soon. You can stay here tonight, if you’d like? Tomorrow we could take you to meet our mother. She’s a healer.” The gentle way he looks at me, and the sincerity in his tone, sets me at ease. Maybe I should be more suspicious of his motives, but my instincts are telling me these men mean me no harm. Still, I should be cautious. They’re unmated Alphas, and I’m an unmated Omega.

As if he can sense my sudden discomfort, Kylan leans forward and clasps his hands in front of him. His amber eyes are soft when he speaks.

“You’ll like Ma,” he says, looking at me like he’s going to say more, but snaps his mouth shut.

“Ma?” I ask, looking between the three men.

“Our mother. We call her Ma. Tomorrow morning we can set out to see her, if you’re comfortable with that? She may have some things that will fit you as well.” He nods to the pants I’ve rolled up several times, and the sweater that’s seven sizes too big, and chuckles. “I’m afraid most of our items will be too large for you.” Cillian wipes his hands off on a rag and walks over closer to me. He crouches down by the edge of my chair before settling a hand gently over mine. “Now, are you hungry?” His smile brightens, and I nod. I’m used to being hungry, but I haven’t eaten more than a nibble of dried meat since this morning, and the food they made smells delicious.

He squeezes my hand before walking back over to the kitchen. I follow Kylan to the dining table, taking a seat, but feeling unsure of myself.

The smile Kylan sends my way has me relaxing, though. I don’t understand why I’m so oddly at ease here with these strange Alphas, but I can’t deny the comfort each of them has brought me.

I nibble my lip as I watch Cillian and Aldair, before glancing at Kylan. They’re all so handsome. I’ve never seen Alphas so attractive before. And they are all so kind, too. Maybe I hit my head so hard, I’m still passed out in that cave, dreaming about impossible things…

Like letting my guard down when I probably shouldn’t.