The moment I closed the door, I felt the heavy feeling in my stomach as my head was spinning because of what I had just found out. I let a quick bark of laughter out. This was ridiculous! I was human- humans didn't have mates and definitely not two at the same time. On top of it, Aiden and Rafe! Why couldn't it be Callum, for example? Aiden was very sweet and caring, but Rafe... God, that man made me want to punch him every time he opened his mouth.

I felt the dizziness hit me so I made my way to the bed, curling up on top of the blanket while I grabbed one of my pillows for comfort and pulled it close to my chest. It smelt like home- my home. As I closed my eyes and inhaled the familiar scene, for a second I forgot about all the craziness since I met Lucien at my parents' house weeks ago.

When I opened my eyes though, all the feelings hit me again. My skin was tingling and I felt hyper-aware of my whole body. The heavy feeling in my stomach had now given way to a fluttering sensation. The pull I sensed to go back to the living room and be close to them was making me lightheaded again. I felt out of control over my own body and I hated it! I hated that I was put in a situation that I neither created myself nor wanted to be in. What happened to my right of choice? Did the Goddesses not take that into consideration?

The feelings inside me were so contradicting right now that I just felt frustrated. So frustrated that a lone tear escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheek.

I heard a gentle knock on my door and I knew it was Aiden. Not only because Rafe would never willingly come and talk to me but also because my whole body could sense Aiden's presence on the other side of the door. My mind suddenly wondered how it would feel to taste his lips. Would it be different from any other man that I had ever been with? Would he long for my kisses more than he had with any other woman before? The latter thought had barely entered my head and I already felt jealousy stir inside me at the idea of Aiden with another woman. As if out of cruelty my mind brought up the memory of Rafe with Amy and the sounds of pleasure as they screwed each other in the room next to where Callum and I had been, and I felt like someone stabbed me in the heart.

What the hell? Why do I feel like this? I don't want mates! And yet my mind was telling me that I would feel truly loved and protected only in their arms. I cannot let anyone see me like this. Lost. Defeated. Not able to control my own life and mind. So I got up, wiped the tear away from my face and put on my most neutral expression.

"Come in."

The door opened slowly and as much as I dreaded talking to anyone about what had just happened- especially Aiden and Rafe- my heart was beating rapidly while I waited to see Aiden emerge from behind it. I wondered whether he could hear my rapid heartbeat.

"Hey," he said with a soft smile. He was extremely handsome but nothing compared to when he smiled. Luckily, Aiden was much happier in general than the thundercloud that was Rafe.

"Hey," I replied dryly and I saw his face flinch a little at what must have sounded like a rejection from my side. I was actually happy to see him, inexplicably so to me, but at the same time, I was angry over the whole thing. I knew that this wasn't his fault but I was still raging over the fact that some Goddess out there had decided my fate for me.

"Are you okay?" He took a step closer to me and I did the only thing I could to fight the urge to let him take me in his arms- I walked away and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Peachy. Never better."

I was surprised by my own sarcasm. It was like there were two personalities inside me now. Riley the Mate, who actually embraced the whole thing and wanted nothing more than to be with her mates, and old Riley- the strong, independent girl who didn't want a man by her side. Well, that was actually a lie. Old Riley didn't want to live her life alone either but what she wanted was a partner in crime, a man who would fit all of her criteria and cater for all of her needs which was practically impossible. She, therefore, knew that she would rather not be tied to any man than settle for less than what she wanted and needed. But old Riley didn't like to be pushed in the corner and to be deprived of her choice and her say either. And that Riley was the one who didn't plan on giving up her freedom easily.

"Riley, I know this is a lot to take in. Trust me- Rafe and I might be shifters but this has come as a shock to us as well. We never expected to share a mate or to have a mate that is neither human nor dragon."

His words were meant to make me feel better but they actually hurt me more than anything as I felt rejected by them. I was a human and was therefore not good enough. And talking about sharing me?! Was I some fucking object to them?

"Great. So we are all on the same page- you don't want me and I don't want you. This was just a giant mistake and whichever Goddess messed up will have to fix it," I snarled and tried to get up to walk away but Aiden gently grabbed my wrist before I could do so.

"Riley, I didn't say that!" He pleaded with me as he also got up and came closer to me. So close that I felt the heat that his body was radiating, and it scared me and enticed me at the same time. But it was his touch that was appeasing my anger. The feel of his skin on my hand soothed me in a way that was not short of mysterious to me. "I want nothing more than to take you in my arms and kiss you, my mate!"

His words alone sent a shiver across my body and I could feel butterflies erupting in my stomach. Damn you, traitorous body! He looked into my eyes and it was as if he read my mind because I saw his lips curl up in a smirk before it went back to him being serious.

"I do not want to force you into anything that you do not want, Riley. Mate or not, you should not feel imprisoned by your connection with either one of us. Although, I can see how having any kind of relation with Rafe can feel like a punishment," he chuckled. God, he really was gorgeous when he smiled! I was more than grateful that he was trying to lighten the mood as best as he could. "But I can promise you that underneath all that hard exterior, he is a big softie inside. The kind that could cry to a sad scene with the right movie."

I couldn't help it, I genuinely burst out laughing at the image of Rafe getting teary in front of a Disney movie- I would pay to see that!

"You are that movie for him, Riley. And for me as well! You are the movie that I want to watch over and over again in my life!" Okay, that statement was cute and weird at the same time but it did make me smile.

"No pressure, right? Do you shifters always go all-in with this mate business?"

"Sorry! I know that for you this is all strange and new but shifters grow up knowing that they have a mate out there. We also know from our families and friends just how intense the mate bond is. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to fight it. What I feel for you I have never felt for another woman in my life and I know that it's the real deal."

I was left speechless. How could he possibly feel like that about me? In the real world, these kinds of feelings usually took months, if not years, to build, unless you were one of those rare people who fell in love at first sight but that was not something I believed in. I had seen love though- my adoptive parents were deeply, madly in love with each other to this day.

"But you don't even know me!" I found myself protesting.

He was still holding my hand with his but I felt his other hand make its way to the small of my back and before I even knew it, he pulled me close to him. My whole body was set on fire by this simple move. I was no short girl but Aiden was a good 4 inches taller than me, so I was forced to look up to see his face as he towered over me.

"You are right and wrong at the same time. I know that you are beautiful, independent, kind, caring, passionate, fearless and protective. You are ready to take on the world and no one can stand in your way when you set your mind on something." That was a pretty good analysis of my personality, I had to give him that. But what made me hold my breath were not his words but rather the feel of the back of his finger as he let go of my hand and gently caressed my cheek instead. I was freaking blushing! No man had ever made me blush! Aurelie Boswell/Moreau didn't do blushing normally. What was this man doing to me?

"You are the woman that I have only ever dreamed to have by my side, Aurelie! The woman that I would always support and love. You are right though- I have only just met you and I want nothing more than to get to know you better. Actually, there is one more thing that I want even more." He leaned in, his words coming out as a whisper between us by now.

My body was trembling with anticipation of what he was going to say next. "What is that?"

He parted his lips and I knew that he was going to kiss me, which made me swallow hard. My mind was racing with a million questions popping inside my head but I just chose to ignore them all. "For you to feel the same way about our bond and about me as I do for you. Not because you have to but because you want to. Mind, body and soul."

"Oh," I exclaimed as I had not expected him to say that. It was a pleasant surprise but I was taken aback that he was this gorgeous man, who instead of claiming that I should feel something for him just because some Goddess had said so, was giving me back the control and the choice of this thing between us, whatever it was.

"I want you to choose me, Riley- no, to choose us- yourself. So would you be willing to give us a chance? Rafe and me? Would you be willing to let us get to know each other better before you make any decision whether you want to embrace this or reject it?" he said with so much hope in his voice.

"I thought that you said that it is impossible to fight it anyway? How would I reject it?"

Aiden winced as this was surely not the answer he was hoping to hear.

"It's possible to reject the bond if you or Rafe decide to do so. It will have to be requested to the Sun or the Moon Goddess by both mates or if only one wants it, then the case must be presented to the Goddess for her consideration. But doing so will live a life with emptiness for both mates- losing your mate leaves a hole in your heart!" The idea of this possibly happening clearly pained Aiden and I would lie if I said that the thought of hurting them or having one of them reject their bond with me didn't pain me either.

"Aiden," I instinctively put my hand over his and squeezed it gently. "I didn't mean to imply that I am rejecting it." His face lit up like a little kid on Christmas day. "But I am not saying that I am embracing it either."

"I understand, really, I do. All I am asking is for a chance to let me prove to you that we are meant for each other, Riley. That's all! We will take things slowly- we can start with some dates, get to know each other." He was so close by now that his lips were faintly brushing against mine. His earthy, slightly smoky scent was putting my senses into overdrive. "Would you be willing to give us a chance, Riley?"

His eyes turned yellow and I knew that his dragon was coming to the surface for what was to come next. My knees felt weak and if he wasn't holding me, I would have surely hit the floor by now. My brain was short-circuiting but a faint sound escaped my lips. "Yes."

That was all he needed before he claimed my lips. It was a kiss full of desire, hope and passion. It was like he had waited his whole life for it. My lips were tingling from the contact with his. Their taste was so intoxicating that I felt like I was in a dream. I never had a kiss like that before- one that was so gentle and caring, yet it left me breathless. For a second I wondered whether he would also slip his tongue inside my mouth but I realised that it would not be Aiden if he did. He was considerate and sweet, a true gentleman. One that was ready to wait for me and not push things further until I would be ready if that day was ever to come. But right at this very moment, I could not imagine not kissing these lips ever again.

All good things come to an end though and so did our moment. As he pulled away, I let out the quietest whimper at the loss of contact- one that was meant for me alone.

"How was that as a start?" He smiled and raised his eyebrows at me. I liked the gentle side of him but his cocky side excited me even more. I had already gone too far though, so I had to reign in my urges.

"Not too bad. Guess I am willing to see what else there is to Aiden Hayes," I smiled back. My words clearly made him happy as he was beaming now.

"Aiden," I paused as I didn't want what I was about to say next to ruin the mood but I had to say it because it was the truth and I did not want to lead him on. He looked at me, waiting for the words to come out of my mouth. "This doesn't change anything though. I can't make any promises, you know that, right?"

He gave me a reassuring smile before he replied, "I wouldn't dream of it."