"It's a very unconventional solution though and can end up with the mates fighting for attention."

I swallow back bile at the idea of Dean and Holden fighting each other for my attention. I couldn't handle losing either of them. I couldn't imagine it!

"Right... so, how would it work? One of my mates is an Alpha? How could I be a Luna if I'm another wolf's mate as well?" I ask with a shaky voice.

My heart is pounding out of my chest, I feel beads of sweat trickle down my back, and my heart aches painfully.

I am so confused!

"It just would. His pack would accept you as Luna because that's your right as his mate."

"The only problem I can see presenting itself, is your mates not accepting the situation you're in and making you choose."

I shake my head, not wanting to picture the scenario in my fragile mind.

"I'm still confused. How can Holden AND Dean both be my mates if my wolf hasn't stated Dean is? She feels pleasure and excitement by him being close, but with Dean, she knew instantly that he was hers." I ask.

Mr Paulson smiles. "It's quite simple. Due to Holden's position, his ranking shall I say, it was stronger for you. Dean and you obviously share a strong connection as well, but he isn't an Alpha or a Beta, nor a high ranked wolf in the community. The bond isn't as connected to his wolf as it is with Holden. Get it?" He asks patiently.

I nod silently and sigh, placing my head in my hands, being held up by my elbows which are propped on the table.

How could this be happening to me?

How was I going to explain it to both of my mates??

~*~

I am laid in bed, wide awake with no hope of sleeping.

My mind is running over the extensive, long talk I had with the elder.

I still couldn't believe it could happen!

To me?

I had some choices to make.

Dean?

Holden?

Or both?

Could I have a secure, stable and happy relationship with both of them at the same time?

I had to tell them. They had the right to know what was going on, but I still worried that they would walk away if they knew I had another mate.

Mr Paulson had informed me that both of them could mark me and have an equal place in my heart and body.

What worried me was I had never wanted a relationship, or a mate for that matter.

Now I have two?

How was that going to work?

What if one of them proposed? Could I do that? Could I marry two wolves?

That's bigamy right?

Illegal!

What if we had children?

Who's would it be?

Who would play father and how would the child grow up with three parents?

That would be one very fucked up childhood!

I don't think I could let that happen!

How would it work?

All of it?

Sleeping arrangements?

Sex?

Decision making?

Holidays?

Couples outings and dates?

Living arrangements?

Oh fuck, I can't handle all this!

I'm getting a serious migraine!

Note to self. Thinking hurts!

I roll my eyes and pull myself out of bed. It's dark, 2.45am and I'm unable to sleep.

So, what do I do when I'm stressed? I clean and cook!

After four long hours, I have a clean flat, a chocolate cake, a loaf of bread and a banoffee pie.

My flat smells wonderful. The intoxicating scents soaking into every room.

After putting a load of clothes in the tumble dryer, I sit on the sofa and yawn, falling into exhausted slumber.

Time to sleep I guess!

"Hiya. It's me, err... Lizzie." I murmur down the phone.

"Lizzie! Hi! God I miss you beautiful." Dean sighs.

God it hurts hearing him so low. Is it the mating bond?

"Right, err... I need you to come round this evening. Holden will be here too. I need to speak to you." I rush out.

I am greeted with a huff and then silence.

I bite my lip nervously, take a deep breath and force myself to speak.

"Dean, it's important. I need you both here. You both deserve to know what is going on. Please?" My voice turns to a whisper by the end.

I hear Dean sigh and give in. "Ok sweetie. What time?"

Smiling, I tell him when and hang up the phone.

I am so nervous, I'm shaking.

I keep myself busy and clean the flat again, spending as long as I can scrubbing the cooker and hobs to the point that my arms ache. I know I'm going to pay for it later.

The day passes so slowly, every minute feels like an hour.

By the time it's 5pm, I am exhausted and my eyelids are drooping.

After a strong coffee and four caffeine tablets, I take a cool shower and get ready. I put on a pair of combat shorts, a tight fitting Bullet for my Valentine t-shirt and a pair of trainer socks.

My hair is dried and straightened, hanging long and low, just below my breasts.

Taking a deep breath, I wander into the kitchen and grab a bottle of wine and a large glass, pouring it to the brim.

As I sink almost half, I start to relax.

I am beyond nervous, imagining the worst will happen.

They're both going to leave me.

I'm going to be left mateless.

Or they'll make me choose.

How the hell can I choose between my two mates?

I can't!

I just can't!

It's an impossible scenario.

I can't reject one of my mates!

That's condemning them to death!

It's the most painful experience on this planet!

I gulp down the rest of my wine trying to rid my freak out.

"I can do this. I can do this." I repeat under my breath over and over again.

I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of confusion and despair!

My head is just above water but I'm slowly sinking!

I watch as the clock ticks closer to 6pm, the time my mates are due.

I just sit there in silence, my eyes darting from the clock to the darkening sky out of the window.

"Please, please let this go ok! Please! I beg you to give my mates patience and understanding. Give me strength and support to help them through this! I will do anything! I will donate to charity, I will quit drinking! I will do anything! I will give up my life to make these men happy, so please, please give me this! This chance..." I whisper up at the stars, hoping somebody, maybe my parents are looking down and listening.

I feel my eyes sting as my tears force their way out.

I rest my head in my hands and sob silently, aching pain through my chest at the prospect of this talk going badly.

I jump when there is a knock at my door, and dart out of the living room, down the hallway and swing the door open sharply.

I look into the eyes of the two men stood at my door, who are giving each other dirty sideways glances.

I sigh and step to the side. "Come in you two." I whisper.

Watching them glide in, making their way into my living room, I decide I need to get this over and done with.

I shut the door and walk, following them into the living room and sit on the oak wood coffee table while Holden and Dean sit at either side of the large leather sofa.

"Why did you ask us both here?" Holden asks.

"Yeah? What's going on, Lizzie?" Dean questions.

I take a deep calming breath, and look up at the painted canvas above them on the wall. A beautiful woodland scene, the greens and browns complimenting each other perfectly.

It's calming and helps me deal with the issue at hand.

My wolf is bounding around in my head at the prospect of both of our mates being so close.

"You're both my mates." I state blandly.

"What?"

"It can't be!"

"It's impossible!"

"That just doesn't happen!"

"I can't believe this shit!"

"Holy fuck!"

I stay quiet as they wrap their heads around the news.

"Lizzie! Seriously? Is this true?" Dean asks, a scared tone to his voice.

I nod, still staying silent.

"Can you just explain this! You can't just say that and then keep quiet!" Holden snaps.

I swallow hard, still staring at canvas. "I went to the county Elder, Mr Paulson. I asked for his advice. We discussed the matter in depth because of how much I feel for the pair of you, and the feelings my wolf and I get around you. I couldn't understand what was going on."

We discussed literally everything. "Supposedly it has happened. Twice had Mr Paulson witnessed this same situation, and there is a lot of research into the matter."

"I have two mates, and it happens to be both of you." I say, pointing to them.

"What are we supposed to do about it?" Dean asks. "You need to choose between us?"

I shrug. "I could, but I can also mate both of you and we can share a life as a... a kind of threesome? I know it's weird, and unconve-"

"A threesome?! Are you fucking kidding me?!" Holden snaps, standing up. Anger evident in his shaking features, his eyes pitch black.

I sigh and bow my head, looking at the cream carpet. "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. You can reject me if you want." I whisper, once again tearing up.

"I- I- I don't know what to do!" Holden sighs, running his fingers through his messy brown hair.

"I'm so fucking confused." Dean groans.

"I'll understand if you reject me. I haven't put you guys in an easy position. You can go if you want. I am so sorry." The tears are now streaming freely as my wolf and I whimper in pain.

Both of them leave, and I fall to the floor on my knees sobbing; pain lancing through my chest.

I slip on my side and curl into a ball, and scream loudly.

That's where I lose consciousness.

I can't handle it anymore.

I want to die.

I think I actually might with the excruciating pain radiating from my heart.

Six long weeks since that fateful night.

To my dismay, I am still alive.

I haven't seen Dean nor Holden since I gave them the soul destroying news.

I go to work, do my job, return home and huddle up on the sofa until I fall into abyss.

Sleep is my only friend. It blocks out the pain.

Why can't the wolf spirits let me die?

Today, it's just another boring day. I arrive at work to start dealing with meetings and clients, making calls and typing up letters like always.

I sip on a strong black coffee while typing an email reply, when my stomach churns.

Eurgh!

I leap up from my seat, sprinting full pelt to the ladies bathroom, throwing myself at the toilet. I vomit violently, so bad that my eyes stream with pain.

That's how the rest of the day continues; working and throwing up.

I have no idea what's going on.

Wolves don't get sick!

We have an unusually high immune system, so no human bugs or viruses effect us.

What could it be?

Hmm...

Mr Fray sends me home after the fourth time I rush to the bathroom.

He says I should take the rest of the week off--only two days--to recover from whatever illness I have.

So here I am, snuggled up on the sofa with my duvet. The television blares out mindless junk.

Boring!

I haven't been able to keep any food down and it feels vile.

My stomach is empty, but it continued to churn with nausea.

A knock at my door forces me off the sofa, the duvet still huddled around me as I feel freezing.

I slowly wander out to the front door.

I open it to see a guy--he must be in his mid twenties--and by his scent, he was a rogue wolf!

Shit.

"Oh, hello dear Liz! God I missed you girl! Wow you don't look so good!" The guy says in a friendly way, a sweet smile on his face.

I take in his features, feeling a familiar pull to him.

Then it hits me. "Soul!?" I gasp.

He grins, nodding. "You remember me!" He exclaims.

Soul was a childhood friend from school. He was the only guy I didn't sleep with at school.

He was lovely, caring, supportive and he didn't judge me.

I squeak, drop the duvet and slam myself into his arms, wrapping mine around his neck, squeezing him hard. "Oh Soul! You've turned up at the best time, but why the heck do you smell like a rogue?" I breathe him in.

Soul chuckles humourlessly. "I was kicked out of my pack up north. I've been rogue for 8 months."

I am shocked! Why the hell was a guy like this a rogue?

"Oh Soul! Come in! Come in!" I grin, yanking his hand.

"So... Miss Knight! Who knocked you up? Was it your mate?"

My eyes widen. "What?"

"You're err... shit, you don't know! I could smell it the second you opened the door!" Soul gasps, his hand over his mouth. "I'm pregnant?" I whisper, beyond shocked.

Soul just nods innocently.

Once we reach the living room, I slump down on the sofa. "Holy mother!"

Soul laughs. "So, tell me all about it! I wanna hear what's been going on."

I take a deep breath, and start to fill him in.

~*~

"Holy shit! So two mates and one of them is the father!? I can't believe you've turned into a hussy! Oh Lizzie!"

I smirk at Soul. "I wasn't a hussy? I thought I always was!"

He grins at me cheekily. "Well, you weren't that bad. You only had one guy on the go at once."

I sigh, and shake my head rapidly, trying to force my smutty past out of my head.

"So, Miss Knight. There was a reason why I came... umm..." Soul mumbles nervously.

"What is it?" I ask softly, stroking his hand, hoping to be encouraging.

Capturing my hand in his, Soul turns his entire body towards me and stares into my eyes. "I love you Lizzie. I always have. I want to be with you and I will do anything to have you in my arms."

My jaw drops, I can't believe Soul is declaring his love for me after all I've told him. After finding out I was pregnant! After hearing about my mate problem.

I can't say I wasn't happy about it. I've always had feelings for Soul. He was the only guy I hadn't slept with. I knew I loved him and I couldn't lose him. I knew sex would ruin us.

"Soul... you're willing to take me on with all this..." I point to my belly. "...baggage?"

Soul looks at me sympathetically. "That just makes me love you even more!"

My heart pounds against my chest, and my head swims.

'Let him in!' My wolf begs. 'If our mates don't want us, we still deserve to be happy!'

I smile at my wolf's words, and look up into the jade green eyes that belong to Soul Valentine.

"Yes!" I whisper, "I've always loved you Soul. Despite my pain because of my bastard mates, I want you."

In a shockingly quick move, Soul wraps his arms around me, pulls me up and spins me around the living room.

I giggle loudly, and hug him back.

Once I'm safely back on my feet, both of us breathless, Soul's eyes darken and he slides one of his hands down to my hip. The other cups my face, gently stroking my cheek, before moving in. "I've been wanting to do this since I was 13..." He murmurs before planting his lips on mine.

I have to say, it really isn't like kissing Dean or Holden, but it's still intense. His kiss is filled with love, passion and need.

I melt into his body, feeling cherished and relaxed.

Soul's tongue eases into my mouth, allowing his warm manly flavour spark at my taste buds.

My arms snake up, and I grip onto his shoulders, squeezing at his toned muscles, a moan leaving my lips.

That night all we do is kiss. I have told Soul that I want to take things slow due to our friendship and my current situation.

So I'm pregnant?

Is it Dean's or Holden's baby?

Should I tell them?

Do they have the right to know after walking out?

Why didn't my depo injection work?

I better see my doctor as soon as possible!

I will call them first thing in the morning.

I'm going to have to tell work too.

All these thoughts cloud my head as I drift off to sleep in Soul's arms.

~*~

"Don't worry, dear. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your baby. The depo doesn't always work on wolves. It goes from 97% to 88% effective with our metabolism, healing rates and high immune systems, as well as our raised temperatures."

"Also, due to your shifter genes, your pregnancy will be 6 months rather than 9. You can't shift until after having the baby or you could endanger the baby's life." My pack doctor--Dr Jules--informs me of all the stuff I need to know.

"So, when is my baby due?" I ask, smiling.

I was having a baby!

"Errrr... let's see." Dr Jules murmurs, looking at her pregnancy calendar. "Ahh yes... oh wow! It's going to be a Christmas baby!"

My eyes widen. "What? Christmas Day?" I ask.

Dr Jules nods with a smile. "25th of December."

"Wow!" I breathe, then smile.

Eeek!

So I'll be having a Christmas Day baby, and a wonderful supportive boyfriend who is going to help and be by my side throughout the entire thing.

I may not have my rightful mates, but I'm not going to sit here and wallow anymore!

I've done it for too long and Soul has shown me how strong I actually am.

I can do this, and I will!

Now I know everything is ok with my pregnancy, I can take our relationship to the next level.

We have been dating a month, and I am dated at 12 weeks pregnant.

I am so excited to go home and tell Soul how it went!

Lets go!!

(-Dean P.O.V.-)

I do the same as I have done for the past 10 long weeks. I sit in my office at work, snapping at anybody who dares to get on my bad side.

I feel so low. My brain has turned to mush and my heart has a deep fissure right down the middle.

My wolf hates me. He spends his time snapping at me and shouting profanities in my head.

I know it's my fault.

I'm too proud. I have an image to uphold and the situation I've been put in is likely to ruin my status.

Oh for heavens sake!

Why didn't Lizzie know I was her mate when we started our 'arrangement'?

If she had found out then, we wouldn't be in this mess!

She wouldn't be working, so wouldn't have met Holden. That jackass!

Seriously?!

Now I sit here, wallowing in my self pity, and all I can think about is Lizzie!

I can see her in my head, her wonderful features clocked to memory.

Her long chestnut waves of smooth silky hair, her flawless pale skin, bright blue eyes and blush pink lips, with a natural sexy pout.

Her tight curved body--the perfect hour glass figure--with perky natural breasts which fit my hands perfectly, and an ass that won't quit. Seriously, it's pert, round and gropable.

Even thinking about it makes me hard!

Damn, why does my mate have to be so perfect?

Why did I know her for almost 2 years before finding out who she actually is to my wolf and I.

Why did I not just claim her as my mate when we started our arrangement. We didn't know who our mate was, we didn't feel a connection with anybody apart from Lizzie. I should've known!

What a fucking idiot!

Lizzie was my submissive for 18 whole months, 18 incredible and intense months of submission.

My wolf hated us causing her pain, but it was a such a turn on to watch her snowy skin turn pink under my hands... or belt... or cane. You get the picture.

"Mr Law, there's a man on line one. A private call." My secretary, Georgina, calls through the intercom.

I sigh, and answer the call. "Law."

"Mr Law. Hello. I just thought I'd introduce myself before I take over." A sneering male voice sounds over the line.

"Excuse me?" I snap "Who the fuck are you?"

"Mr Law, I am your replacement. The one who will be having the life you shouldn't have rejected." The guy says with a chuckle. "Fucking idiot!"

I am now seeing red. "To what are you referring to?"

"That sexy pert ass and God, those tits! To think... I get to sleep with her every night."

"Though, in all honesty, those scars you left her with have my wolf and I very angry!"

My mouth drops open, fuck!

Lizzie!

Shit!

"She does not belong with you!" I all but roar. "She is MINE!"

The guy just laughs. "She isn't though! You and that fucker Holden rejected her. Rejected her when she needed you the most!"

"Oh if only you knew what you'd left behind!" "Luckily I'm here to oversee!"

"The funny thing is, I came back in search of Alpha Holden's mate to take down the pack for my master and what did I find? The girl that I wanted to fuck since we were teenagers!"

"Oh yes, I get that everyday and every night. I'm going to take advantage of it before I kill her and her mangey pup!"

My heart stops.

Oh shit.

Wait, what? Pup?

"Pup?!" I gasp.

"Oh yes, Mr Law. Some pathetic spawn! Nothing to worry about, don't worry. You'll be rid of her and the pup soon enough." The line goes dead.

FUCK!

My mate is in danger, and I forced her into his open arms.

I am out of my office in a flash. "Georgina, cancel my meetings! I'm out!" I call over my shoulder as I run out the door.

~*~

-Holden P.O.V.-

I'm isolating myself in the office at the pack house. My home.

I don't want to see anyone, deal with anything or do anything.

I want to be alone.

I want to wallow.

Why the hell did I walk out?

Fucking twat!

My pride got in the way of what I truly wanted. Lizzie. Only Lizzie.

I want her back, but I'm scared she would reject me after the way I behaved, the way I treated her.

She deserves better.

I should've been better.

Locked in my thoughts, I ignore the ruckus that's going on outside the office.

I just want to wallow, and try to form a plan of action to get my mate back.

What could I do?

What could I say?

Just as I start thinking, my office door opens with a loud bang.

I snap my head up to see none other than Dean stood there with an angry look on his face. He's fuming, with six of my pack wolves stood behind him, unsure of how to act.

"Holden. We have to talk... NOW!"

I sigh, I guess this was coming.

If I'm in pain, Dean must be as well.

"Alright, come in. You can leave us." I state to him and my pack.

They nod and shut the door, leaving Dean and I to ourselves.

"So to what do I owe this pleasure?" I ask, sounding bored.

Dean groans. "Lizzie is with some tosser who is using her to get to you. They're dating! On top of that, she's pregnant! The guy called me at work and started sprouting off all this shit about killing her and the pup to get to you, and now me as well. He's a royal piece of work."

My wolf howls inside my head, throwing himself around, trying to get out and kill whatever fucker is using, dating and planning to kill our mate.

"Fuck." I whisper.

"Fuck doesn't cover it Holden!" Dean snaps.

I place my head in my hands. "Maybe we could talk to her? Make her see sense?" I suggest.

Dean shakes his head. "Supposedly, they've been friends since they were teenagers. They obviously have trust and compassion for each other."

"Double fuck." I groan.

Whatever we do, we have to do it quick before they get serious. Before he tries to make his move.

"What? Lizzie's pregnant?" I ask as it finally weasels its way into the forefront of my mind.

Dean nods. "Yeah. Not sure how far or anything but it's obvious this guy isn't the father. He doesn't give a shit about the child's wellbeing. He said 'You'll be rid of her and the pup soon enough' so I guess it's one of ours. I have to know if it's mine. I can't sit around not knowing. My wolf is going crazy." He groans, running a hand through his hair with impatience.

Pregnant...

Baby...

Who's the father?

Me or Dean?

Fuck, fuckety, fuck, fuck, fuck!

"Right, time to formulate a plan!" I state, getting on with the matter at hand, thinking of my mate and possibly my child's safety.