Mates (Original version)

Chapter 17

Rin takes a deep breath and begins, "Olivia, I know we have been keeping pressure off you to choose but I am out of time. I must go back home on Christmas, and I won't be returning. I want you to come with me and be might mate. I will take care of you and love you with everything I have."

Olivia tears up, "What?!? You must go back and if I don't choose you, I will never see you again?"

Rin shakes his head, "No. If you don't choose me, we would still be friends and I would keep in touch. But if you choose me, you will come with me so we can form that bound and introduce you to my pack."

Damien interjects, "If you accept our mate bond, I will give you all my heart. I don't want to lose you. I know our start was bad, but I have worked so hard to show you how much I truly care and love you."

Olivia looks between the two males. She doesn't want to hurt either of them. She has come to care for them deeply. Even though the way she cares about each of them is different. She knows who is in her heart but she is still worried for the one she won't be choosing.

Olivia sighs, "I don't want to hurt either of you. You both are very special to me in different ways. I don't want to lose anyone."

Damien puts his hand on top of her left hand, "If you don't choose me I would still be in your life. I will always be in your life."

Rin puts his hand on top of her right hand, "I promise the same. I will always be here for you. Doesn't matter if it's as a friend or mate. You aren't getting rid of me."

Olivia smiles, "I appreciate that. I really do care about you both."

Damien smiles, "Even though Roland and I fight, we both agree that you are special and deserve the world."

Rin huffs, "It's Rin. Why do you keep doing that?"

Damien sticks his tongue at Rin, "Because I don't care to remember your name."

Rin growls, "You are so rude. I at least remember yours."

Olivia laughs, "Are you two ever going to be able to call each other friend?"

The two alphas say at the same time, "No!"

Olivia shakes her head, "You guys are too funny."

Damien laughs, "I mean, if he wasn't trying to steal you, I could see us being friends. He's not a bad guy and he did help when needed."

Rin agrees, "Yeah. He's not so bad. I just don't like him."

Olivia smiles but not for long. She realizes she has to let them know who she picks. She knows it's only fair and she shouldn't be stringing them along.

She takes a deep breath, "I actually know my decision. I am going to accept Damien."

Damien's mouth hangs open in surprise. He was so sure she would choose Rin. Rin whimpers.

Olivia starts crying and hugs Rin, "I'm so sorry. You are so amazing. I have come to care for you deeply but it's not the same as how I feel about Damien. Please don't be mad."

Rin cries, "I know. I kind of knew but I still had hope. I'm not mad at you. I will get through this and I still stand by what I said. You are never getting rid of me. We are friends forever."

Damien stands to the side and let them have their moment. It takes everything in him to not rip her away from Rin, but he gets to have her forever so he will give her this. He is happy he gets his amazing mate. He is ready to scream it to the world.

Rin pulls away from Olivia and kisses the top of her head. She cries even more. She is sad because she hurt him, but he keeps whispering to her it's ok. Once she finally calms down, he lets her go completely.

Rin looks at Olivia, "I'm going to go for now. I will call you later. I just need to go run off some emotions. Remember, I am not mad. I will be okay. I promise."

Olivia nods because she doesn't trust her voice. She walks him to the door and hugs him one more time before he leaves. She shuts the door and turns around to immediately being engulfed in another pair of strong arms.

Damien hugs Olivia tightly and whispers thank you repeatedly. He lets her cry until she falls asleep. He carries her to her bed and lays her down, then climbs in beside her and hold her. He knows she is hurting because she is too kind for her own good. But he can't help how happy he is that she accepted him.

With a sleeping Olivia in his arms, he messages his parents. He wants to share the good news.

Damien: SHE ACCEPTED ME!

Mom: That's wonderful. I'm so happy.

Dad: Congrats. She will make a fine luna.

Damien: Thank you. I'm staying here for a bit. She's sad because she hurt someone.

Mom: She's so sweet. Just let us know if you need anything.

Damien: Thank you guys. Later.

Damien takes a short nap. As soon as he feels Olivia move, he wakes up. She looks up at him and smiles.

He returns her smile, "How are you feeling?"

She sighs, "I'm ok. I just don't like hurting Rin."

He hugs her, "I know. I'm sorry that you are hurting, but I can't lie and say I'm sad you accepted me."

She lays her head back onto his chest, "I know he will be okay but it's still sad."

"You have such a big heart. Can I ask when you decided?"

"I have felt myself falling for you ever since you started be nice to me. What sealed it for me was how much you took care of me after the last attack."

He kisses the top of her head, "I will do my best to be worthy of you."

She snuggles further into his chest, "I know you will."