Caught Between Multiple Mates

Chapter 10: Haddon POV

It broke my heart to see my mate in so much pain and wrapped in fear in that bathroom. Then the wildest thing happened — Zack Westin spoke to Annalise as if taking back a rejection. After he was escorted out by his father I went back to my mate. She jumped into my arms and clung to me as she wept. Of course this action got me both excited and concerned. What had taken place? What had changed? Since when did my mate touch people without a second thought?

“Annalise!!”

Her friend Maggie came rushing into the bathroom and tried to snatch Annalise from my hold. She huffed at me as I tightened my grip. I needed another minute of this Heaven.

“Give her a minute to compose herself,” I said to the impatient redhead.

“Listen here, Mr Hybrid, Annalise is my friend and chosen. You need to let me comfort her!”

My eyes widened at her words. Her chosen? She was claiming my mate? The hell she was! I held Annalise tighter and said “She is my fated which is more official. You will not disregard our bond.”

Maggie’s canines became elongated as if she was ready to shift into her wolf. Her Alpha aura was a little intense but I could hold my own against her.

Suddenly Maggie calmed down in a matter of seconds. I looked down to see that Annalise had extended her arm out and had grabbed Maggie’s sleeve. Maggie grabbed Annalise’s hand and a new sensation coursed through our bond. I felt the tingles of a new bond — their bond.

“See, she likes me better,” Maggie taunted. I began to hiss at her smug face.

“Stop! please..” the voice echoed through my mind. I about jumped. I hadn’t let anyone past my mind barrier. The only possibility? I looked down at my mate. She was touching her neck and light tears were spilling from her eyes.

“Please stop fighting.” That voice again..it was definitely my mate! My wolf was dancing around in my head. Our bond was finally forming and manifesting. This was amazing!

“Let go..” she mindlinked me. I looked down at my little mate as she reached for Maggie with both hands and Maggie was reaching for her. I relented and let my mate run to the feisty alpha girl.

I’d never heard of this before. How did Annalise have me and Zack as mates? And now Maggie? She should only have one mate.

As I watched the two girls cling to one another I wondered if she was mindlinking Maggie too. Could she? I knew she could with me because I had marked her years ago — our bond had always been there.

“We have things to discuss,” Maggie linked to me. That took me aback. She had never initiated a link before and I had let my barrier down while I processed the situation I was finding myself in.

I nodded at her and then linked a warning to keep her hands to herself when I saw her hands inching closer to my mate’s lower back and butt.

After Annalise was picked up by her uncle I took Maggie into Bruce’s office so we could speak privately. Bruce had excused himself, citing a need to do damage control before the news got out about the assault.

“So what do you want to discuss?” She asked, plopping down into the large grey upholstered chair. I rolled my eyes at her antics.

“Annalise obviously. She has somehow gotten past whatever was keeping her from feeling our mate bond before. Poor thing probably has no idea what is going on.”

Maggie spun the chair around and then looked at me. “Zack marked her before you and then rejected her forcing their bond into Limbo.”

I felt the air get stuck in my lungs. I’d heard of Limbo but I’d never seen it firsthand. I just thought my mate was sad and isolated.

“Don’t worry about it. I will take good care of my Annalise. I’ve been taking care of her for almost 4 years. You just got here. I think you and Zack should reject her so I can step in and show her the love she so desperately wants and needs.”

I glared. “I’m not rejecting my mate, and for your information I didn’t just show up. I’ve been keeping an eye on my mate for the last five years. I was waiting for her to finish high school so I could make my move but some concerns brought me to her sooner.”

Maggie eyed me suspiciously. “What do you mean you’ve kept an eye on her? Like stalking?”

I felt offended and told her as such. “She isn’t your real mate so you wouldn’t understand. My attachment and bond is neither stalking nor indecent.”

This time Maggie looked offended. “Unlike you and Zack who are only around for the mate bond I’m actually in love with her. I can offer her a good life as my Luna.”

She eyed me again. “I suppose we could use you for pups but no s*x. I can’t have you confusing her or trying to take her from me. Labs are a thing these days.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re what 17? Don’t get ahead of yourself. And besides why would she choose you over me? I’m her real mate and I can give her pups the old fashioned way.”

Maggie made a gagging motion which actually made me laugh. We continued our arguing and bantering. I was starting to think we could make this work when suddenly she ran off without a word.

Suddenly a chill ran down my spine and my wolf whimpered. “Mate, get to mate.” So I took off to track down Annalise. I didn’t know the threat but before long it would know me.