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EIGHT
—
W O L F
Having allthese new people around is making my horses fidgety. Usually, this is one of the few places where I feel at ease. The stables are fucking magnificent, with gleaming wooden doors, high ceilings, large stalls, and an earthy scent thanks to a constant supply of fresh hay.
It’s by far my favorite place on palace grounds. I’d move in with the horses if I had my way. But since the invasion of the Omegas it’s no longer a place of serenity. The majestic beasts who are ordinarily as restrained as Kaz are tossing their heads about. They anxiously pace their stalls, their snorts ringing out in the quiet air as I wait for my next date to arrive.
After I moved to the palace permanently more than seven years ago, much was made in the press about my affinity for horses and horseback riding. For some reason, it’s still something the tabloids feel the need to report about. As a result, the powers that be decided my dates should be centered around the activity.
I wouldn’t have had a problem with that if I didn’t come here for the peace of hanging out with these animals. They get me and I get them. It annoys me to no end that eventheirsanctuary has been thrown into disarray by the Trials. I’ll be requesting a different setting for the last few dates to be held tomorrow, if only to give them some peace.
The black stallion I’m saddling up for my date nuzzles my hip and I chuckle, running my fingers through the coarse hair of his mane. “Hey, big guy. Just stay close to me and do your best to be nice to our guest, okay? Last one of the day and then you don’t have to have any other strangers on your back, ’kay?”
As if the mention of a guest summoned her, the next Omega appears from behind the large barn doors at the far end of the row. Recognition quickly turns into an attraction that ripples through me when I see the shock of mahogany hair and the delicate features of the Darling girl.
Her scent damn near undid me the other day. I almost want to rub my palms together at finally having the opportunity to spend some time with her. As she walks toward me, though, it’s not me she’s looking at. She’s staring at my horses with apprehension practically pouring off her.
Interesting.The others have all come in with bright, pretentious smiles, ready to throw themselves at my feet or on my dick. Certainly without any hesitation getting astride a horse to try to impress me.
Maddie doesn’t appear to be aware of my presence. Intrigued but amused, I hand the stallion’s reins to the groom and stride over to meet her halfway, clearing my throat once I’m in spitting distance. Shestillhasn’t looked at me, but as I near her, she jerks, her body freezing. No doubt she’s finally caught my scent through all the other scents lingering in the stables.
“First time?”
Her back snaps straight like I’ve startled her.
She swallows audibly and slowly turns her head toward me.
When those green eyes meet mine, her eyelids flutter on a few more blinks before she finally speaks.
“Excuse me?”
“Is this your first time at the stables?”
A few of the Omegas have taken the liberty of showing themselves around, hence the nervous behavior of my horses. From the muttering of the servants who followed them, it’s become apparent they came here looking for me, and upsetting the animals has been merely an unintended consequence.
Maddison Darling certainly doesn’t seem to have been one of the more explorative Omegas. She frowns and then looks at me like I’ve got a dildo growing out of my forehead. “Um, was I supposed to have been here before?”
“No,” I say, grinning, which seems to confuse her, but she falls into step beside me when I motion toward the stallion. “His name is Sergeant Pepper, and he’ll be your mount today. Don’t be scared. It’s true what they say about horses sensing your fear.”
“Oh, well, that’s great,” she mutters. I swear I detect a hint of sarcasm in her voice. It’s scintillating really, since the majority of the Omegas I’ve met today have been incurable brown-nosers.
Half-facing her as we walk, I slide my fingers into the pockets of my jodhpurs and grin. “Have you ever been on a horse?”
“Nope.”
She eyes Sergeant Pepper cautiously as we draw closer to him.
“You don’t happen to have something smaller? Maybe, like, a pony? Or an old mare or something?”
I chuckle. “Ponies aren’t meant to be ridden by grown-ups, and the old mares are retired. The Sergeant here will take good care of you. He looks far more intimidating than he actually is.”
She glances at me from the corner of her eyes. “Is he the only one?”
My eyes widen as she clamps her hand over her mouth almost like she wishes she could stuff the words back in. A loud, albeit muffled groan escapes anyway and I laugh. “I’m so sorry, my Lord. I shouldn’t have—I mean, I have no idea why I just—”
“It’s fine. Really. It’s nice that there’s someone here with a sense of humor, and no, he’s not the only one who might look more intimidating than he is.” I wink at her and she flushes scarlet which only makes me want to keep going.
