The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 117

Amber POV

I sat down to dinner that night feeling like I was some sort of referee or mediator. My mother, bless her heart, was situated down at the other end of the dining table, chatting away with her mate, King Stefan's best friend Dylan. Stefan had been ecstatic to replace his best friend had found his mate and knew that my mother would make an excellent mate for him. I was positive she would as well and after everything my mother had gone through with my father, she more than deserved to end up with someone who would cherish and adore her. From what I could see with Dylan, he was smitten with her already. I sat between Rowan and Stefan, each of them immediately placing a possessive hand on my thighs, both comfortable and at ease, despite the kisses we had shared earlier. Both of them seemed to have come to some sort of truce when it came to me and I was bewildered, not sure what to think about the multiple mates thing. I blushed just thinking about what having s*x with them might entail. Too much information I know, but can you blame me for thinking about it? These guys were cool as cucumbers. It was unnerving.

Darius sat on the other side of the dining table opposite me. We were quiet as the servants began to file in, bringing in the first course, Teresa among them. She gave me a cheeky wink and mouthed the words 'we have to talk' as I nodded adamantly. Boy did I need a girlfriend to confide in right now? Teresa would be perfect, albeit maybe a bit jealous of my situation. I would have to be respectful of her situation, for she too was desperate for a mate and had yet to replace one.

I began to pick at my food, absent-mindedly, not even paying attention to the food, only knowing that it was delicious as everyone else did the same. The silence was awkward and filled with tension, both Rowan and Stefan glaring at Darius who refused to be cowed and glared back. My mother was glaring at Darius as well, her eyes dripping with hatred and there was malice in her expression, a deep loathing I had seen before but for once it wasn't aimed at me.

"So Amber," my mother said conversationally, turning to look at me with a wide smile on her face "how does it feel having two sexy mates at the same time?"

I almost choked Stefan, thumping me on the back as I spluttered, reaching out to grab my glass of water and frantically drink it down. "Mother" I gasped "how can you say such things."

She gave a nonchalant shrug. "It's blatantly obvious, the way those two are staring at you. Besides with the wolf you possess it's not a surprise. How do you feel about it?"

Rowan and Stefan turned to regard me questionably as I blushed profusely. "It's um" I stammered "different but not unpleasant" I added hastily. My cheeks flushed, remembering each of their kisses. Stefan and Rowan looked satisfied.

"But how do you feel about sharing her?" pressed my mother with determination, gazing at each of the men who looked toward each other.

"Initially neither one of us wanted to" Stefan answered finally "but then we realized that we also didn't want to lose her. The best solution all around was to come to the agreement of sharing her, but it all boils down to Amber and what she wants. Turns out," he said with a nonchalant shrug "she wants both of us."

I stared at the table, embarrassed beyond belief, while Rowan and Stefan both looked satisfied with each other. Their hands still touched my thighs and I wriggled, feeling the heat of their hands on my flesh.

Darius sneered. "Why am I not surprised you chose both," he said in a way that sounded like an insult.

I glared at him. "So what if I did" I defended hotly, feeling aggressive at that moment, my hackles raised so to speak "are you jealous Darius?" I asked him sweetly.

He shook his head. "No, but perhaps now would be a good time to discuss custody of the baby you are carrying."

"You mean my child," I told him firmly "not yours, nor will it ever be yours."

He slammed his fork down. "I can make you take a paternity test" he announced.

Stefan looked at him smugly "go ahead, I can guarantee that it won't make a whit of difference. Do you claim that you're going to attack Amber and make her out to be an unfit mother? What about you? I replace it no coincidence that your wife died under mysterious circumstances and that she had a miscarriage to boot."

Rowan joined in, leaning back in his chair "I too, guarantee you won't have a hope in hell between mine and Stefan's lawyers. This child stays with us. We're a family, and you have no say in the child's upbringing."

Darius was furious, spitting mad. "You told me we would discuss this civilly" he snarled "and instead you're just repeating what you've already said."

I looked at him innocently. "Darius, I am being civil" I pointed out "because if I wasn't" I allowed my canines to come out, "I would have shifted by now and ripped you a new one" I added.

He flinched. But wasn't about to give up the fight. "You can't honestly think that these men" he pointed at Rowan and Stefan "would be more appropriate fathers? What about how he treated you?" he asked pointing to Rowan.

Rowan squeezed my thigh. I opened my mouth and answered "yes, he treated me like s**t" I said meaningfully "but he was under a spell and I've forgiven him for his transgressions. He still has to prove himself to me, but I don't hate him for what he did. It's no worse than what you did, is it?" I asked c*****g my head and regarding him steadily.

Darius looked confused and then blushed as he realized what I meant. "You abandoned me, Darius, left me to fend for myself alone, forced me into a marriage I didn't want" which thankfully hadn't happened "and now you claim to want this child. You married my sister" I told him "not me. You didn't fight for us, you just dropped me like a sack of potatoes" I glared.

He dug his fingernails into the table. "I'm not giving up without a fight" he screeched like a petulant child. I shook my head at him. "I don't expect you to give up," I told him honestly, feeling a bit sorry for him and how lost he looked "but I'm warning you that you won't win Darius" I added gently and sincerely.

My mother was watching everything unfold, her lips curled back in a sneer. She hated Darius with a passion and I worried she might try to do something to him. I couldn't finish my dinner and I pushed it back regretfully, feeling a bit out of sorts. "Are you alright?" asked Rowan, leaning in to murmur it in my ear.

I frowned. I was having cramping pain along my lower stomach again and was putting it down to those blasted Braxton hicks that seemed to persist. It was quite painful and I gingerly stood up, Rowan and Stefan removing their hands from my thighs. "If you'll forgive me, I'm quite tired," I told Darius regretfully "but I think we've finished discussing things, don't you?"

He flattened his lips and said nothing. I pushed my chair back in and turned toward the stairs, Rowan and Stefan helping me, each of them on one side, offering me their arms. They were certainly acting like a gentleman, I thought a bit amused. I walked up two steps and then stopped, heaving in a big breath as Stefan peered down at me in concern.

"Something is wrong" I panted, feeling the cramping pain becoming even worse, doubling over in pain. I could feel something wet at the back of my dress and then I heard Rowan's strangled voice.

"She's bleeding."

I let out a small cry and then Stefan was picking me up and cradling me in his arms, bridal style, making his way back down the stairs and rushing me down the corridors. "Hospital" he growled, Rowan following along behind me.

My mother put a hand to her mouth as we rushed past her, while Darius was looking highly concerned as he watched us go. We reached the hospital in record time, the doctor rushing toward us as she spotted Stefan.

"Put her down on the bed" she instructed King Stefan with a worried look on her face. She took in my blood-soaked dress and panties and paled.

"Get her in the room" she shouted and a nurse moved, hustling past Rowan and Stefan, pushing the bed into a nearby empty room, the doctor vanishing and then reappearing with an ultrasound machine.

I was sobbing by now. It was too soon to be giving birth and I was worried I was having a miscarriage. I placed a hand on my swollen stomach, wanting to be comforted.

"Alright honey, let's take a look at your womb and see what's going on," said the Doctor with a friendly smile. She had red hair and green eyes and looked to be in control, despite the worried look in her eyes.

"My baby" I wailed and Stefan gripped my hand, Rowan gripping the other one, both of them doing their best to comfort me.

"It's alright" whispered Stefan, stroking my forehead, "everything is going to be alright."

Rowan nodded his agreement, kissing me on the cheek.

The doctor placed the probe on my stomach and all of us stared at the screen in dread. I felt nauseous, sick to my stomach at the thought of what might be happening. The doctor bit her lip as she moved it around, saying nothing for several moments. It felt like a lifetime as we waited, all of us on tenterhooks, hoping desperately to hear that there was nothing wrong.

"Okay," said the doctor finally, giving me a reassuring smile "your baby is fine, his heartbeat is nice and strong. I want you to remember that."

"Okay, but why am I bleeding?" I asked nervously.

"There seems to be no cause for the bleeding, sometimes it happens" the doctor explained with a frown "however, for the time being, I would like to put you on bed rest, just for the next few days just to be cautious."

"That's not a problem," Stefan told the doctor, his tone brooking no arguments as he gently stroked my forehead "we'll make sure she stays resting in bed."

I pouted. I wasn't good at staying in one spot for very long and staying in bed all day sounded especially boring and lonely. I would do it, for the sake of my child, but I knew I wasn't going to enjoy it.

My mother came rushing in. "Oh sweet heaven are you okay?" she asked, flinging her arms around me.

"Everything's fine mum, I just have to go on bed rest for a little bit" I answered a little sulkily.

She looked relieved. I looked around but there was no sign of Dylan.

"Dylan's still a little shy when it comes to you" she answered seeing my look "but he'll get used to the idea of you eventually. Just give him some time."

I nodded slowly. From what I had seen Dylan was quite an introvert, a shy gentleman who seemed to shy away from too much attention.

"Time for bed" Rowan cut in and Stefan nodded his agreement. The doctor gave a smile. "She should be fine, but contact me if you have any worries. The bleeding has already stopped" she assured us as we smiled back at her.

Stefan picked me back up and cradled me to his chest as I put my arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his body against mine. He carried me with ease out of the hospital wing, Rowan coming behind us, while my mother waved goodbye, mouthing she would

see me tomorrow.

To my surprise, Stefan placed me in a guest room as I looked at him with bewilderment. "Why here?" I asked and he sighed.

"I want you to get a decent rest" he answered "and you won't get it if you share a bed with me and Rowan" he added, indicating the other man who was leaning against the doorway. Just the image of both of them in the bed with me was enough to make my cheeks burn bright red. I yawned unexpectedly, making both of them laugh.

"I'm not sleepy" I protested and they chuckled.

"Get some sleep," Stefan told me quietly "and if you need anything, ring that bell" he added, pointing to a bell sitting on the bedside table.

Rowan came sauntering over. "Goodnight Princess" he growled, bending down and capturing my lips with his, kissing me gently and then breaking it off. Stefan did the same, not phased in the slightest by Rowan kissing me. "Goodnight" I whispered and they left, shutting the door behind them. Without meaning to, I closed my eyes and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

I can't say for sure what it was that woke me. It could have been the sound of the window cracking open, or the sudden rush of footsteps across the floor. Whatever it was, I bolted upright, only to see Darius's eyes in the darkness, something pushed against my mouth, his hands holding it firmly against me as I tried to scream out for help. But the chemical in the fabric was strong and I inhaled it, feeling my body grow weak and limp. Darius let go and it was only then I realized there was a second man in the room, who had been holding me from behind.

"Well done," said the voice as Darius backed away.

I blinked, the image of him becoming fuzzy. Then before I could do anything else, I felt darkness consume me.