Her Mate Dilemma

3 - Coming to an Understanding

Brady 

    I couldn't believe it when I locked eyes with Alexandria, then my wolf cheered, 'Mate,' before he started howling in my head.  She sprinted toward me at such a fast speed, I didn't even consider running to her.  Instead, I braced myself and got ready for impact.

    When she got in front of me, I decided at the last second to scoop her up in my arms.  I was stunned by the intensity of the sparks that flowed between us, and there was no hiding how happy I was that she was my mate.

    We were sharing a nice moment together, when we heard multiples of the word 'mate'.  We watched her brother sprint toward a she-wolf  who was standing by a male werewolf.  He had his eyes locked on my mate, and I knew that look all too well.  

    As soon as he sprinted in our direction, Alexandria took a few steps away from me, as she kept her eyes locked with his.  When he reached my mate, he picked her up and spun her around in the air, as he enthusiastically chirped, "Mate, I finally found you.  When I smelled that flower petal, I saw your face, and I have been dreaming about this day ever since."

    As soon as her set her back down on her feet, they wrapped their arms around each other and gazed into each other's eyes, as Alexandria cheekily stated, "You are even more handsome than I could have ever imagined."

    I couldn't believe what I was seeing and hearing.  Alexandria explained to us both that I was her fated mate and he was her spell mate, and I didn't want to believe it.  

    When we both refused to walk away, Alexandria glanced back and forth between us, then she curiously asked, "Are you saying that you want the three of us to be mates?"

    "No.  I don't want to share my fated mate," I adamantly stated.  She was my fated mate, so I felt like that should account for something.

    However, her other mate nonchalantly responded, "I don't see anything wrong with it.  I have heard of other werewolves having more than one mate and living happy lives."

    Again, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and it was taking everything I had not to snap on her other mate.  I grabbed Alexandria's arm and pulled her out of his arms, then I wrapped my arms around her and mumbled, "You can't be serious?   You being my mate was all I wanted in life.  You can't make me share you."

    She tilted her head back, and I could see tears starting to pool in her eyes, as she solemnly replied, "Brady, I have always wanted to be with you, but this is not a decision I can just make on a whim.  I need the chance to really get to know each of you on a personal level, then I can make an informed decision about who is best for me.  If you were willing to be a trio of mates, I would accept you both, if it's possible."

    Seeing those tears was all it took to make me soften my tone.  I nuzzled my nose against hers and affectionately mumbled, "Please, don't cry, mate.  I will give you some time to make a decision, but I need you to know that I will do anything for you."

    She released a small sigh of relief, then she softly murmured, "Thank you, Brady.  I know you will be a good mate."  After that, she pecked a kiss on my lips, then she wriggled out of my arms and walked over to her other mate.

Liam

    As soon as I smelled that intoxicating strawberry and pumpkin scent, I knew my mate was here.  I said "mate" in unison with Liza and a werewolf across the yard, who looked just like my mate.  I watched my mate glance in the direction of the werewolf that I assumed was Liza's mate, then my mate's eyes locked with mine.

    I wasn't entirely sure how to feel at that moment, since she was wrapped in an embrace with a different werewolf.  After a few seconds, I couldn't take it and sprinted toward her.  She stepped away from the other guy, and that made it possible for me to lift her up in the air and twirl her around. 

    She was even more beautiful than in my mind, and I felt so lucky to have her as my mate.  However, I soon found out that the other werewolf was her fated mate, and I was her spell mate.  That totally explained the flower petals and what not, but I wasn't about to walk away from her, because of that.  We were bonded and my wolf recognized her as a mate, so she was just as much mine, as she was his.

    When she mentioned the three of us being mates, he didn't want anything to do with it, but I had no problem with it.  He pulled her out of my arms, then they had a hushed conversation.  After a few minutes, she walked back over to me and curiously asked, "What's you name, and what pack are you from?"

    I beamed a smile at her, as I proudly stated, "My name is Liam Grant, and I am the Beta of the Pine Tree Pack."

    Instantly, her lips curved up to form a pleased smile before she curiously asked, "The same Pine Tree Pack that Alpha Gavin and Luna Carly belong to?"

    "Yes, mate.  What is your name and pack?" I asked in curiosity.    

    She giggled and it was the cutest giggle I had ever heard, then she proudly informed me, "This is my pack.  My name is Alexandria Biloxi, and my father is Beta Anton of the Forest Pack."

    I was excited to hear that she came from Beta blood.  That meant our pups would carry the Beta blood from both sides of the family, and they would be especially strong.  I also liked her name.  It was one of those beautiful names that I had always liked to hear people say.  

    I gently brushed my knuckles across her cheek, as I curiously asked, "So what are we going to do about you having two mates."

    She pulled her shoulders back, then she confidently stated, "I need you to give me time to get to know both of you on a personal level.  If Brady doesn't come around to the idea of the three of us being mates, I will have to choose one of you."

    "You can take all the time you need, as long as I can see you every couple of days," I assured her.

    I couldn't imagine how awkward this must be for her, and I didn't want to be the one who made everything harder on her.  I knew that wouldn't earn me any brownie points with her in the future, and I was determined to show her that I was the best choice, so I started by showing her my understanding side.

    Suddenly, she threw her arms around me, then she snuggled her face against my chest and happily mumbled, "Thanks for being so understanding about all of this.  That means more to me than you can possibly imagine."

    I chuckled at her, since I was just thinking something similar, and I wrapped my arms around her waist.  It felt good to hold her in my arms like that, and it was even nicer, because she was the one who initiated the embrace.

Alexandria 

    Brady was being a little stubborn at first, but I got him to give me time to make an informed decision.  However, Liam was so chill about everything, and that made me happy beyond belief.  I threw my arms around him, then we hugged for a few minutes, and it felt wonderful to be embraced by him.

    When I finally pulled away from Liam, I grabbed one of his hands, then I walked over to Brady and grabbed his hand.  After that, I led them to one of the empty tables, then we all sat down together.

    I wasn't sure what to say, but I knew we needed to get some things figured out, so I decided to dive right in and sheepishly asked, "So, how do you guys want to make this work?  Your packs aren't that far away from each other.  I don't mind to bounce back and forth for a little while, if that's what is needed."

    "That's fine, but you're coming to my pack first," Brady adamantly insisted.

    I reached over and laid my hand on top of his, as I assured him, "Okay mate, I will go to your pack first.  I will spend three days with you, then I will spend three days with Liam.  After that, we can we regroup and see where we all stand."

    "Fine," Brady mumbled with a pout of his lips.

    I glanced over at Liam, and he was quick to happily chirp, "That sounds good to me."

    "Alright.  Now that we got that settled, let's try to enjoy this night together.  We can start by taking turns on the dance floor.  Brady, would you like the first dance with me?" I cheekily asked.

    Instantly, his face lit up with a smile, then he stood up and extended his hand out to me, as he politely stated, "I would love to have the first dance with you."

    I eagerly accepted his hand and let him pull me to my feet, then he we headed toward the area that was set up for dancing.  I was excited to dance with each of my mates.  I knew it would give me a few minutes to talk to each of them separately, and that would be good for all of us.