Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen

Aldair

Swinging the ax downward, I split the last log for the day right as Ky comes around the side of the wood shop.

He’s been distant and evasive since this morning. Whatever went on in that room, despite the smell of our mates' pleasure, he left with his tail between his legs. I can’t imagine anything making me run from my mate when she’s in need. For a man who thinks he lacks control, he sure fucking exercised it in a way I doubt I could. He left her unsatisfied, and clearly confused, judging by her scent.

The way I wanted to rush in there and offer myself up to her in his place… I locked myself in the washroom and stroked myself to visions of dragging the pretty Omega back to my room and covering her in my scent. Finding ways of making her body burn with ecstasy. The pleasure my release brought me was nothing compared to what being with Goldie will feel like.

Shaking off the thought, I place the ax down by the wood rack before I make my way over to the barn. I find Ky putting hay into one of the stalls when I clear the barn door.

“Cill and Goldie should be back soon.” His shoulders tense up as I lean over the stall door. Before he runs away again, I decide to tackle this head on. “You want to tell me what happened this morning? The house was full of her berry and honeyed scent when you stormed out. What scared you off?” I keep my tone gentle. My brother is a sensitive man, and I don’t want him to think I am angry or belittling his feelings.

“I don’t know. Feeling her lips against mine last night… Then the feel of her body pressed against me this morning. It put me on edge, I felt like I was about to lose control, and do something I couldn’t take back.” The misery in his voice has me wanting to rush ahead and fix it for him, but this is something he has to do for himself. Ky walks out of the stall and leans his pitchfork against the hay bales in the isle. When he finally looks up to meet my eyes, I step forward and place my hand on his shoulder.

“Ky, couldn’t you scent her? She liked what was happening. You didn’t hurt her, and you never will,” I say firmly.

“I felt the ripple of the monster beneath my skin. I could feel the need to bite, to rut, to make her mine. I could have hurt her,” he says as he looks down at his feet, obviously not hearing me. “She isn’t ready for those things. I couldn’t live with myself If I harmed her. How can we prove we deserve her, if I take advantage of her like that?”

“Come with me. There's something I want to show you,” I say as I lead him back to the workshop. I can tell he’s confused by the abrupt change in conversation, but what I want to show him will soothe my brother. Throwing open both doors, I lead him deeper into the area back where I do the finer carving.

Sitting propped up on the back bench is a large wood carving that has a woman in the throes of passion surrounded by clawed hands and snarling teeth. Her form is obscured in places by the placement of the monsters around her. The buttery tone of the wood had been darkened in places to reflect the colors of fur. Despite the harsher shapes of the forms surrounding her, it is easy to see they are protective in their embrace.

“Dair… this is magnificent. I had no Idea… How long have you been working on this?” he says as his hands drift along the carving. He doesn’t miss the resemblance to Goldie. His eyes jump back to mine as I take a seat on one of the stools. Gesturing to the one across from me, I begin.

“Years. I have been carving this particular piece for about seven years. I just finished it recently...” I trail off and wait for him to count back the years.

“The year we had to leave Ma’s…” he says softly.

“Our kind, the Domus Silva, are still a mystery to us in a lot of ways. When Ma took us in, she was able to piece enough things together to help us settle, but she spent what time she could collecting information that we would need one day.” I look over to the carving and let my eyes trace the woman’s face. I take a breath before continuing. My memories drift back to the blood-soaked bodies. Their unfamiliar forms…

“One thing that she was able to salvage from our mother was a small journal. Recently I read it again. It didn’t have a lot of information on us, but it talks about fate's gift and how mates recognize each other. Our parents were of course mates. I believe their ability to take a second form was a way to protect us, but based on what I read in the journal, I think it also comes from the time before our people were forced to retreat further into the forest, away from humans.” I glance over at him as he soaks in the information.

“What are you saying?” Ky frowns.

“We aren’t the only monsters in history to have human mates. Fate wouldn’t give us a delicate human Omega, if we weren’t worthy of her. We can give her everything she needs and deserves,” I tell him, as he stares at my carving, before he turns to me once again.

“Why haven’t I seen it before?” Ky’s tone is colder as he looks at me.

“It wasn’t intentional. In all honesty, I had forgotten Ma gave it to me. Our mother’s personal recollections were too painful for me to read for so long. I grabbed it the night Goldie fled her village.” Standing, I walk over to the shelf above the small window and pull down the book. In my hand, it looks too tiny to handle without damaging the pages. When I place the book in front of him, he leans forward to look at the bloodstained edges. Ky takes it from me, and stares at it like it might bite him.

“Read it. It doesn’t hold all the answers, but it should help ease your mind. Our mother believed in fate. That everything, good or bad, has a purpose. That if we choose to, we can make our lives what we want them to be. You can be the mate she deserves.” I know I’m being pushy, but Goldie needs Ky just as much as she needs Cill and I. We are all her mates.

“I can’t be trusted, Dair. I’m afraid I’ll hurt her… These hands, the ones that nearly killed Ma, they’re the same hands Goldie wants against her skin, and I…” His voice chokes on the words, as he shakes his head, getting more upset.

“Goldie is safe with you. Your monstrous form is not made to hurt the one who your heart beats for, it’s made to protect and cherish her.” My voice is firm as I wrap my arms around him. “I trust you with Goldie. You need to trust yourself. And both Cill and I will be here to help you remember that you deserve this happiness.” Ky was hormonal, and in the throes of puberty when he harmed Ma. But I was the trigger. I’m the one who put my brother on the path of destruction that day. I won’t let him carry that burden alone.

Kylan leans into the hug like he did as a young child. My brother is the best of us with his kind heart and soft soul, and I will not let him lose Goldie, before she sees who he truly is.

“And if we scare her away before we can prove ourselves?”

“Goldie has been listening to her instincts more, letting them guide her. Her aunt raised us, that has to count for something,” I tease, bumping him and trying to lighten the mood. “We’ll show her the real us, and then we’ll show her our monsters when the time is right.” I release my brother and walk back over to the carving and run my finger along the woman’s face.

“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.

Ky comes in then and washes his hands in the sink before he sits down, immediately diving into the plate that Cill made up for him. Goldie’s focus on the table only drifts long enough for her to watch Ky take a few bites, he won’t look at her though, so I distract her from her pouting.

“Tell me what you see,” I say, wanting to know how she views the monsters, and if she can interpret the love.

“I see,” she trails off, as she looks from one story to the next, the furrow in her brow as she concentrates might be one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. “Sadness, here.” She points to the image of a female monster clinging to a small child. My mother, when our village was attacked. She’s holding Kylan as she cries.

“What else?” I nod, pushing my plate away.

“Heartbreak and loss,” she whispers, a tear glistening in the corner of her eye, before she moves on. “Family, I think.” She trails her finger over the vague image of a human woman, Ma, and three small monsters. “Love,” Goldie whispers, when she reaches the image of larger monsters surrounding their human mate. Her and us. I wish I could tell her the truth of what the carvings mean, but I can’t risk scaring her away. Soon, I’ll tell her soon. For now, I can tell her the lore.

“Here, eat while I tell you the story.” I slide her plate in front of her and wait until she takes her first bite.

In a low tone, I sit back and begin the story my mother and father used to tell us.

“It was said long ago that the people who had inhabited the depths of the mountains were fierce in body and spirit. Domus Silva. The People of the Forest.”

“However, they did not easily welcome newcomers, and when the humans arrived, the Domus Silva were weary of their intentions. They would often retreat into their deep cavernous homes to hide and avoid the humans.”

“But the greed of the humans made them persistent. The caves and mountains of the land were thought to hold riches and minerals beyond measure. Rather than barter or work with the People of the Forest, those seeking to take advantage of the land tricked them and forced them further into the depths of the mountains. The humans called them Monsters.”

“The battles that followed lasted many generations, across many settlements. The humans had no honor, and fought with fire and weapons, attacking in the night, killing innocents.”

“The women and children of the Domus Silva were slaughtered without thought and left for their husbands and fathers to find their mutilated bodies. Terrified of losing their most precious and vulnerable, the People of the forest became the Monsters in the mountains. Killing anyone who might be a threat to their people.”

“Victory was short-lived for the humans when they found they could not safely reach the depths of the caves and mountains as the Domus could, often returning with tales of gruesome monsters and many of their number dead.”

“The People of the Forest faded into tales of hideous, bloodthirsty monsters, who kill and murder indiscriminately.”

There is a heavy silence in the air as I finish the tale. I’m not expecting the sheen of tears in her eyes. She’s finished eating and has pulled her knees up to her chest as she listens.

“Sorry, I don’t know why I’m crying. I know it’s just a story, but it’s sad, isn’t it?” she asks with a sniffle, looking at me with her big, blue eyes that seem to shine brighter after her tears.

“It is sad, Little Omega, and it’s not just a story, it’s history. But a history that was twisted, and distorted over time.”

“The survivors of these people were able to carve out a life for themselves in the caves and hidden valleys of the mountain range. They became even more reclusive to protect themselves.” Cill’s voice is full of sorrow. Goldie reaches a hand out to touch his arm softly, feeling the draw to soothe her mate. She’s listening to her instincts more now.

When she looks up to me, I can see that she’s making the connection of what this story means to us. Her frown deepens for a moment, before her eyes are drawn back to the table. The sob that escapes her makes my chest ache, as her tears fall freely now. She caresses the image of Ma and us. Then of the two monsters lying side by side, their eyes shut forever. Then the image of her.

“These were your ancestors, this is your story. The love story is to your people. To Alma. To your birth parents.” The sadness in her voice has my instinct to soothe her taking over, and I stand, unable to resist the pull to her. Taking the seat on her other side, I pull her chair close to mine and wrap my arms around her. My pheromones filling the air around us to settle her.

“They were,” I say gently, as she buries her face against my chest. The purr I release is new for me. Not a sound I’m used to making. It’s not as strong as Ky’s, but it seems to relax her further. I don’t tell her that it’s also the love story for my mate, for her. That the monsters aren’t a metaphor, but that we really are beings with talons and fangs. She’ll learn that with time.

“We are fortunate that our ancestors found a way to survive.” Ky’s fist clenches as he looks down at the table to the carving of our mother wrapped around him.

“There are many tales we can share, but I think it's time to sleep, pretty Omega. Why don’t you try out my bed tonight? It will give Ky a chance to spread out in that tiny bed of his,” I joke as Ky picks up a roll from the table and throws it at me. I catch the thing midair and finish it in a few bites. Goldie giggles at the interaction, as she peeks out from where she was hiding against my chest. Her features are still clouded with touches of sadness, and I want to chase the pain away. There’s something else there too. Interest. Fuck me. Her heat will come soon, is that why she’s drawn to the idea of sleeping in my bed tonight, or is it just her desire to be closer to me?

Cillian leans into her space as he takes the plate from her.

“Let me take this for you, my golden girl.” He dips his face into the crook of her neck, pressing a lingering kiss there, before pulling away with a wicked smirk. “You’ll be trying mine tomorrow, Goldie. Fairness and all that.” Goldie blushes bright red, hops from her chair, and flees.

I laugh at the Omega as she rushes down the hallway and into one of the rooms, the door clicking shut. Ky looks after her with longing, and I stop by his side to rest a hand on his shoulder.

“Tomorrow, brother. Let Goldie see more of the real you. Take tonight to rest. She needs all of us, and soon she’ll need our knots. Her scent is ripening. You need to trust yourself, like we trust you.” I nod to both men as I head down the hallway in search of the perfect shirt for my Omega to sleep in tonight. She’s been collecting them, and I can’t wait until we can show her the nest, and she stocks it with her treasures.