Chapter 11

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.

The largest of the buildings turned out to be a low-roofed barn that has an area for feed, three stalls, and a small tack room. Chickens run around our feet as Aldair tells me about how they built this home together.

A yearning to belong somewhere, to have a home such as this, clogs my throat as I appreciate the beauty around me.

I blink away the memory and slip Bear the carrot I snagged for him on my way out here for a little visit. I’d wanted to come visit him last night, but it was dark, and I was scared, if I’m honest.

Not only that, but after the day I had, all the food I’d eaten, and the stress of it all, I was dead tired. Plus, when we went back inside, Aldair offered me a sugar cookie, and by the time I finished eating the largest cookie I’d ever laid eyes on, I was ready to fall asleep standing up.

I’m ashamed to admit that it made me so comfortable, I let my guard down too much. I forgot to be cautious. I want to be grateful, but I need to keep my wits about me. I need to be vigilant and observant. At the first sign of trouble, I need to get my ass the heck out of here.

The reality is, I don’t have anywhere to go. If these men were going to hurt me, I don’t think they’d waste time trying to show me so much kindness, right?

They’re Alphas. It would be easy for them to overpower me, and we are so far from other people that it’s not like anyone would hear me screaming…

I swallow thickly, and Bear huffs at me, no doubt sensing my unease.

“You’d warn me if you sensed danger, right?” I ask him, giving him a narrowed, side-eyed glance. “You wouldn't let the food and comfort trick you into a false sense of security?” Bear nips at my clothing, before trotting around me in a circle, shaking his head as he goes. “Alright, alright, there’s no need to sass me. But you need to keep your guard up too.” I wag my finger at him, deciding right here and now to be cautious but open to the possibility that these men aren’t like the ones I’ve always known.

I give Bear some more pats, before getting hungry.

“I better get inside. I don’t know how early the–”

“Goldie!” Kylan hollers behind me, and I spin around, startled to see him out here so early.

“I wasn’t leaving!” I yelp, putting my hands up, readying myself for a fight. Will he attack me? What will he do if he doesn’t believe me? My breathing picks up, and Kylan frowns.

“Woah, hey, it’s okay…” Kylan’s tone is soothing, gentle. “You have nothing to fear from me, sweet Omega, you’re safe…” he keeps his hands raised, as he slowly approaches me, like I’m a frightened animal he’s just spooked, and he’s trying not to startle me further. “Hush now,” he adds, when he’s close enough to reach out and touch me, but he doesn’t.

It’s odd. Rather than cowering away from him, I want to…lean into his space, I think. His scent washes over me, clover and leather, filling my lungs in a way that has me desperate for another sniff. Then he purrs. This soft, rumbling sound that makes me damn near melt into a pile at his feet.

He doesn’t make a move to get closer to me, just stands still before me, purring, and watching me with his kind, gentle amber eyes. The more he purrs, the better I feel.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you, I was just surprised to see you out here so early,” he chuckles, and as if my brain had been protecting me from the sight until this exact moment, I realize he is very shirtless.

“Oh, my…” I whisper, as I shamefully take in the sight of his muscles. I have never seen a man with a body like this. Do his brothers look similar? Tanned, fit, and strong? Could Kylan easily carry me to safety if I were in danger? He sure looks like he could.

My eyes travel across his body, down to the hair below his navel, that disappears beneath the laces of his trousers. Kylan reaches a hand up, grabbing the back of his neck as his cheeks pinken, and his purr cuts off. The playful way he smirks at me has me blushing bright red when I realize I was just ogling him!

There’s no denying it either, he watched every second of my bad behavior.

“I had better tend to the animals,” Kylan adds in a sheepish tone, and I swallow hard, the saliva thick in my throat. “My brothers are both still sleeping. If you hear something that sounds like a grizzly, don’t worry, it’s just Cillian,” he teases, before stepping around me, and I nibble my lip as I watch him go. “Oh, and help yourself to anything you find, but particularly the food in the kitchen,” he adds, and I nod. Bear huffs as if he’s judging me, and I whirl around to glare at him.

“Oh, you hush!” I scold him, no real bite in my tone. Bear simply flicks his ears, unbothered, before turning away from me.

I rush back into the house and wash my hands in the kitchen sink. It has running water, but I’ll need to heat it over the fire if I want hot water to cook with. I look around the room, nibbling at my lip once more. The nervous tick is something that got worse over the years.

This morning, I am very nervous, and my lip is paying the price.

The whole reason I got up so early was because the scent of Kylan was driving my Omega instincts wild. Last night, the Alphas set me up in the same room I took my little nap in. Finding out the space belonged to the shy Alpha had me blushing.

“I just need to grab something to sleep in, Goldie,” Kylan says, as he dips his head in the doorway. He’s gesturing to the trunk at the end of his bed.

“Oh, of course. This is your room,” I say dumbly. “Where will you sleep?” I frown, and Kylan smiles.

“Yes, this is my room, and I’ll sleep…in another room,” he says, blushing. He blushes a lot. I can relate.

“I can sleep anywhere. You should sleep in your bed!” I protest, but Kylan shakes his head.

“No, no. I’ll be perfectly comfortable, Goldie. Sleep here. I don’t mind one bit.” He grabs his things, before stopping in the doorway on his way out. “Sleep well, sweet Omega.”

“You too,” I whisper. I don’t know why these Alphas are being so kind to me, but I’m nearly in tears because of it.

“I should make them breakfast…or clean. Or both…” I whisper to myself, as I begin my hunt for something to make. Of course, I’ve never made breakfast before. I wasn’t allowed near the food, not even to cook for my parents.

I’ve seen it done plenty of times.

It can’t be that hard, can it?

Turns out, cooking can be hard, especially with my wrist wrapped to prevent it from being used. Very, very hard. Which is how I find myself standing in a half destroyed kitchen, with nothing edible to show for my efforts.

Of course, that’s the exact moment Cillian walks out from the hall. He pauses when he sees me. I watch his face as his bright smile turns into a confused frown.

“What are you up to, Goldie?” he asks, amusement in his tone, and I let out a heavy sigh that turns into a sob.

“I’m sorry! I was trying to cook breakfast for you three, to say thank you for being so kind yesterday, but I don’t know what I’m doing, and I don’t know what half of this stuff does. I mean, I’ve never made breakfast before. I usually just eat whatever leftover fruits and such I can find…sometimes I steal Bear’s carrots. He doesn’t love that. But I only do it if I’m desperate...” I trail off, realizing I’m rambling as tears fall down my cheeks.

Cillian just stands there, staring at me with wide eyes. I’ve stunned the poor man into silence. Then he stuns me right back, by laughing.

He laughs so hard that my sob turns into a giggle I can’t contain.

“Stop that! Don’t laugh at me!” I scold him, still giggling. Cillian walks over to me, and despite the wasted food all over me, he pulls me into a hug. I haven’t had a lot of them in the last…many years.

“You’re completely adorable, little Omega, but maybe leave the cooking to me, hmm?” he teases, giving me a tight squeeze, before releasing me. I stand there, realizing I’m disappointed the hug has ended. I like the way his strong arms felt wrapped around me. The way his scent settled the frantic energy inside of me. His warmth.

“What…happened?” Aldair asks as he takes in the sight of his ruined home. I hadn’t heard his approach while in Cillian’s arms.

“I’m not good at cooking,” I answer, wincing.

“You cooked?” His face lights up, and he looks so happy and excited that it pains me to answer him.

“Uh, no. I attempted to. And failed epically. Seriously, tales will be written in the histories about how terrible this truly was. I’m not sure if I’m very good at anything except for cleaning, and…sleeping,” I say with a shrug.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I’m sure there are a few things you haven’t even tried that you’ll be fantastic at.” Cillian says, his voice deepening with every word.

I shrug. “Or I just suck.”

“You can suck…” Cillian starts, but Aldair cuts him off with a shove.

“Why don’t you go get cleaned up while my brother and I make breakfast?” Aldair offers, and I shift on my feet. “I placed a pile of clean clothes on Ky’s bed for you.”

“Nice warm pair of fuzzy socks in there too,” Cillian adds, and my eyes light up. I am loving these fuzzy socks he’s supplying.

I hustle off into the hall, and over to Ky’s bed. When I see the pile of clean clothes, as well as my saddlebag, I frown. I take a few moments to remove the box holding my treasured locket, and place it on the small table by the bed. It feels like I am making this room my own.

This morning, when I couldn’t fall back asleep, it wasn’t because I was uncomfortable. I think, for the first time since I can remember, I’m TOO comfortable.

How many hours have I known these Alphas? Not enough for me to already feel so trusting. But even as I think that, I can feel it in my chest, I do trust them, at least a little.

I need to snap out of this! Whatever this is… I’m too complacent. I’m not being careful enough. My safety relies on my ability to keep my guard up. Making them breakfast? What was I thinking! I saw one man half naked, and now I’m losing all sense! What happened to being cautious but open-minded? What part of making them breakfast was cautious? I suppose that was more on the open-minded side…

No, I know what this is, it’s my Omega instincts taking over, turning me into a woman I don’t recognize.

Was my life really so terrible before that the simplest acts of kindness are breaking my walls down at the speed of light? Am I this weak?

I shake off those negative thoughts. No. I’m not. These Alphas are just the exception.

I’m very eager to meet the woman who raised them to be so dang unique.

“She should know what an amazing job she did,” I whisper, not knowing if I’ll have the courage to tell her myself, but I think I should at least try.