I Don’t Want A Mate

Jack, Lilly, Des...

Mila

I woke up the next morning with a groan. Cahira and I trained for hours yesterday. As she had promised, her version of training was brutal, but efficient. I think my @ss is bruised from how many times I landed on it. But I don't hate her for it. I never want anyone's pity or mercy. I'm not built like that. Because I am shorter for a werewolf, or I guess even more so, as a Lycan, people always underestimate me. Sometimes I've been able to prove them wrong, and sometimes not. I always want to prove them wrong...and Cahira is willing to train me. I want to be a warrior queen worthy of these people. My people.

Cahira was nice enough to compliment me on my knowledge, but I couldn't help but feel behind because of my upbringing. I love my mother, but she married the wrong Alpha for my twin and I. Our father died protecting us, and I watched it as my mother hid all of us from view. I still have nightmares from that. Worse was the years of depression that I watched my mother go through. She reached the point where she could no longer care for us...and I had to steal food to keep my twin and me alive. It was at this point that I swore off mates. I hadn't been to school yet, but I knew how to be fast enough to outrun security. This was a part of my life that I never told anyone about. Another werewolf spotted me, who turned me in to my mother...she married an Alpha she didn't love not long after. After that...she became a shell. No one saw it. She put on a good show as a Luna, but as her daughter, I could see it. Well, until she had my younger brothers. Something about babies made her snap out of it.

Alpha Ralph wasn't a bad man. He truly loved us as his own, but he was traditional. He made us train to be Lunas...even though our blood roared to lead, to be Alphas, fighters. Eva was better at hiding her disdain for the Luna lessons of party planning bullshit...I rebelled, skipping classes and getting shitty grades. Mostly because their school was so underwhelming, it was more fun for my gifted brain to find ways to fail.

It all changed when I turned fifteen and Alpha Ralph met me in the middle. On our fifteenth birthday, he rolled in a red motorcycle, and my heart stopped. I knew that motorcycle. It was my father's motorcycle! My best memories with my father were helping him wash it and the short rides that we'd sneak out to take.

"I have a deal for you...this becomes your yours, and I'll help you work on it and fix it, but only if your grades improve and you show up to your Luna Classes."

From then on, I was an A student, and I found a part of myself that I didn't know existed. I was mechanical. I loved working on my motorcycle and keeping it immaculately clean... I would do my own oil changes, change my tires, and Ralph provided me with space and any tools and help I needed. In our own way, we bonded through that. He also loved motorcycles, but didn't ride anymore due to his own safety.

Man, I missed that motorcycle. It still sat at home... I wonder if I could get my mother or Ralph to ship it here. Probably not. I'm a queen now. What queen would ride a motorcycle?

I heard a small knock at the door and put my phone down after sending a quick good morning to my twin, and therefore my bestie from birth.

In walked three people, two women who wore simple outfits and their hair in a bun, and a sharply dressed gentleman. They had several bags with them and a cart.

They all bowed.

Damn. That would be hard to get used to.

"Good morning my queen, My name is Jack and this is Des and Lilly. We're your style team. We have gone through your schedule and have some outfit ideas. I just need an idea of what your style is." said Jack, as both Des and Lilly also bowed.

"My style?"

"Yes...do you consider yourself preppy, edgy, low key, sophisticated..."

"I mean... I assumed I'd be in suits like Prince Durand and Cahira..."

"If that's what you prefer, but that's not required. We want you to feel like yourself."

I gaped at them.

"I don't think you realize... we've been waiting hundreds of years for you to return... you could probably rule in leggings, and we'd be happy you're here." said Jack with a dashing smile.

Come on Mila. You're a leader. Be decisive. But they were so welcoming and open...it wasn't what I expected. I was used to being pushed into a feminine Luna role, which I could do, but most Luna's wore dresses and suits...my older training was seeping through. But these weren't werewolves...these were Lycans.

"...I tend to like leather jackets, but I don't want to look like a slob. Leggings I only wear while training..."

Des let out a breath of relief.

"Oh good, well, a love of leather we can work in. So many an edgy tailored look?" said the girl with dark blue hair, named Lilly.

"That sounds great actually... I love your hair, by the way." I said to Lilly

She gasped in delight,

"Thank you, my queen...Jack, here is the mastermind behind it."

"I heard later you'd be stopping by for a cut...if I had known...I would have brought my entire kit with me. I'm so sorry, my queen." said Jack.

So this was also the stylist behind Cahira's hair.

"Oh no... it's no problem... I'm looking forward to the relaxing experience after the bizarre day that I'm about to have."

All three looked at each other and shrugged...

"Most of your day will be spent with the Prince. You might not know him well, but he is one of the best rulers we've had. Our people have been well taken care of by him. From the poorest to the richest... from the youngest to the oldest. He cares for everyone. I'm sure you two will get along well." said Jack, pride for the prince showing in his gaze.

"I'm here because of one of the many programs he put in place." Said Lilly...

"Anyone orphaned here gets completely free college. All of our bills are paid for while we train too. It doesn't make up for the loss of one's parents, but it keeps us from choosing crime because we have little to no monetary support."

I'm taken back by the pure love and pride they have for their prince.

"I apologize, I didn't mean any disrespect towards the Regent Prince... it's just this is all new. I'm happy to hear though that he has been a fair ruler."

"Oh he has for sure...shall we get you fed and dressed for the day then?" asked Jack.

The brunette, Des, took the lid off the tray she had, and the scent of food...and coffee hit my nose. Prompting me to finally get out of bed. I should feel uncomfortable with someone seeing me in these night shorts and lacy tank, but if these three were to be my style team..

"Oh my Goddess...is that coffee?"

"It's actually an espresso machine that I'm going to leave here just for you. How would you like your coffee? I can make you something."

"Super strong, but also sweet. Like dessert sweet. Cahira is brutal with her training and I need the extra energy."

"Oh, Lady Cahira is a great warrior...I could only imagine the honor of training with her." said Des as she made me a coffee that smelled of caramel.

"Des was the best fighter of our year..." said Lilly as she ushered me to sit in a chair they had set out for me.

"All of you know how to fight already?" I asked. Lilly looked young...

"Oh, of course. Everyone has access to self-defense and fighting classes from grade school on. It's one of our favorite sports...seeing who is the strongest fighter," said Lilly as she frowned slightly at my long hair. I had taken a long bath before bed to help my muscles, but then my waves had dried haphazardly...

"Your hair is long...shall I curl it?"

"Uh, sure."

Lilly immediately got to work spraying my hair with products and working a brush through.

Des handed me a large mug and a plate full of eggs and sausage, before disappearing into my huge closet.

I took a few sips of my Latte before she came out with a few outfit choices.

I'm thinking this perforated jacket might be nice. That way, even if you have to go outside for a bit, you won't die of heat stroke. said Des, as she held up a lighter brown leather jacket.

For the top, I was thinking of this cream number and with these dark pants and maybe this loafer or boot...?

The top was actually a bodysuit, more fitted with a square neck line and long sleeves. the pants came in at the waist and flowed down.

"Maybe the boot for today... I like the heel for the length of the pant..."

"ME too!" said Des as she hung everything up behind a privacy screen.

"I'm at a good point to pause if you'd like to change..." said Lilly with a smile.

I got up quickly and went behind the privacy screen. Des even included a lovely cream lace bra and underwear set, one way nicer than my usual choices.

I quickly dressed, and came out from behind the screen... and they all gasped.

"Oh Des, she looks lovely and like a bad @ss Queen." squealed Lilly.

"Lilly!... Language..." Said Jack...

Lilly immediately turned bright red...

"Okay, first off, I use more fowl language than all of you combined, something that I'll have to work on now that I'm queen, but secondly...can we be less formal here? So no bowing or using my title. It would help me relax some. I understand when you're out of this room..."

"Oh my course...Queen... I mean... Mila", said Jack, with a wince.

I gave all of them a small smile before moving back to my chair.

"But seriously, Des, this outfit is perfect," said Jack, as he pulled out several bags and started to open them.

"What of your makeup?" Asked Jack as Lilly continued on my hair behind me.

"What about a red lip?"

Jack's eyes lit with delight before he started applying products to my face.

Twenty or so minutes later, we finished, and I finally got to see all their work in a full-length mirror. I looked older, more mature, but still myself. What I imagined I'd look like in five years. Everything from the red lips to the leather jacket, it all felt like me and gave me the best pep in my step.

They gave me simple directions on getting to the Prince's office before waving goodbye. Leaving me with confidence that I didn't feel before.