I Don’t Want A Mate

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Mila

Eva was the last to head home for the ship, not before giving me another hug.

"I'll be back as soon as possible. After everything is settled, or if everything settles with Adam, please be careful and know I'm a phone call away."

"I know and I will. I'll do my best."

"I know you will. Don't underestimate yourself, Mila, you always have. You're the smartest of all of us. You're a natural-born leader. Call Amber too. You know her and Alice are great resources."

"I know. I've learned so much from Amber while being by her side as she navigated all this. If I can run these islands half as well as she runs her back and all the alliances that she has, then I'll be doing well."

I never had a chance to go to Alpha School, our leadership-based school, but I've learned so much about being a good leader through both Amber and Alice's influence.

"I love you, Mila."

"I love you too, Eva."

As she pulls away, I hand her the sleeping tonic I secured from the royal doctor.

"This should knock you out for most of the ride back."

"Oh my Goddess, thank you Mila.", said Eva as she turned and left me behind.

I'm not going to lie as much as this place feels like home in my bones. Watching my sisters leave me behind on a ship didn't hit me how alone I would be here. Well, not alone, but without my closest family.

"This must be hard," said Cahira, sensing my mood as as we turned to return home.

"It is, but the best things in life come at a price."

"True, well, what would you like to do today? I can give you a tour of our capital. Or would you like to rest?"

"Honestly, I'd like to spar some. I have way too much excess energy and the past few days have been...trying."

"Just so you know, my version of sparring is not gentle."

"Good, if I'm to be the queen of a group of warriors, then I wouldn't expect anything less. Although, I'm not a complete novice. Cole, Andrea's mate, has been training us and he's brutal to everyone, but Andrea. "

"Ha, that's not surprising. I always knew I liked Cole."

Also, I've survived a war...so there's that, but I leave that part out. Survival in a battle isn't the same as skill. Looking back, I can't believe I entered that battlefield at only seventeen years of age, and with the little training Amber had managed to give us.

As we walked along the ocean, a calm feeling settled over me.

Maybe it was the sun or the sound of the ocean, or maybe it was the fact that I had a purpose here. I had a goal. I was no longer on the sidelines helping when I could. Now I can actually offer something to our efforts to keep all Shifters safe.

"Have you ever experienced warfare?" I asked, as the memories came to the surface. Blood, screaming and insane amounts of adrenaline blocking out the worst of it from my memory.

"I have... multiple wars."

I shot Cahira a long side glance. She couldn't have been older than thirty.

"So you aren't just Lycan then, as Lycan's aren't immortal."

We might age slowly, but we do age.

"I'm not just Lycan, but the other part of my heritage, the part that makes me immortal, I can't speak of. We are supposed to be extinct, and I'm completely okay with the rest of the world believing that lie."

"I... understand. I knew I was Lycan before I was told...and I couldn't tell anyone."

Cahira led us to the other side of the Royal residence, where there was a large gym with their own separate showers.

"In the locker with your name on it, you will find training gear just for you."

Just for me? Goodness, they're efficient. I've only been here for a few days.

In my locker, I find multiple sets of workout gear and even tennis shoes. All in my size, even the shoes....How did they? You know what, maybe I don't want to know how they figured out my clothing sizes.

I quickly put on an all-black set and walked out to find Cahira. Instead, I found Liam and Finn sparring inside...shirtless. Typical.

I rolled my eyes and went out the closest outside door. I guess I'd have to get used to being in the same room as Liam, but today was not the day for that.

I found Cahira standing on a huge raised mat. Surrounding us was the side of a mountain, and below it was a drop onto another beach.

Cahira held two staffs.

"Staff training, really? I'm not a complete beginner."

Cahira smirked at me.

"Oh, I know, and this won't be your typical beginner staff-wielding class. The staff isn't just for wielding a staff. When you are in a battle or fight, anything could be a staff. Find an enemy's gun without ammo, could be a staff, find a thick branch, could be a staff... find a broken sword..."

"I get it...I get it."

"Good. Let's start slowly to warm you up."

We start with a simple back and forth. Nothing too difficult as we both warm up.

"Why do you keep your hair so long?" Asked Cahira as she attempted a halfway decent swipe at my feet, which I dodged. My long blonde braid halfway down my back swished with the movement.

"My boyfriend likes long hair."

This gave her pause...

"You're still young, but you really let a man tell you how to do your hair. Don't you have to wash and take care of it every day?"

"I do... but...I mean that's pretty normal, right? I'm guessing your boyfriend likes short hair?"

I glanced at her short but sophisticated bob that came to just below her chin.

"My wife and mate does not care how I do my hair. I could be bald and she would love me the same."

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't haven't assumed..."

She gave me a small smile...

"It's no problem. It's because I'm so feminine, but it helps while being second in command. You'd be surprised to hear how many alliances we have won because of my pretty face. Simple men giving Prince Durand something in hopes of getting my number later...only to find out I'm happily married to a woman and have an adopted daughter."

"Prince Durand?..."

"Oh yes, only his dad calls him Liam. For everyone else, he goes by Durand for everyone else....but seriously, from a tactical standpoint, that long hair could be a danger to you. Also, where is this boyfriend of yours? Should we expect him here anytime soon?"

"He's at Alpha College..."

Cahira winced as she easily met my blow, and that came here faster than time.

"You know Alpha schools are notorious for..."

"Women, alcohol...and sometimes drugs...yes I'm aware."

"And you trust this boy to... stay true for four years?"

"I... would be surprised if he were true.... but I mean, all alphas pull the same sh*t. So I'm not expecting perfection from him."

Cahira openly gaped at me now.

"You mean...you're okay...with him sleeping with other women..."

"I mean, I'm not okay with it...but I just don't want to expect perfection.

"Ah, I think you are confusing perfection with actual standards. I'd rather cut off my hand before I'd be okay with sharing my wife with someone else."

"That seems...judgy." I said with a slight frown.

"Perhaps... but if you're to have a boyfriend... you should find one that isn't so shitty."

Now it was my turn to gape at Cahira.

"You've never met him."

"I don't have to... you've told me enough."

I knew that Cahira probably wouldn't understand. Most werewolves don't understand either, Lycan'r probably aren't any different. But Ryan was my first taste of freedom. He wants nothing to do with being an Alpha or having a mate. That's how we bonded. We both see mates for what they are. A gaping hole in our defenses...a weakness. They're not needed. Not when I can get companionship without bonding my soul to them, because that's what a mate is, a soul bond, a soul mate. I won't be seeing Ryan for awhile, as he's busy with classes and I'm busy here...so why not cut my hair? Ryan would gripe about it next time I saw him..., but I had short hair until I started dating Ryan...honestly, since I have to be dressed up everyday now, it would be nice to not have the hassle of my long thick hair. Plus, maybe it would be a turn off for Liam. Which is a bonus. I've yet to meet a man who likes short hair.

A small devious smile came to my face.

"If I wanted to cut my hair, do you have a stylist you'd suggest?"

Cahira perked up at this a bit, but still managed to wince with a blow that had me landing on my back.

F*ck that hurt.

"I do actually....we could go tomorrow if you'd like. I'm going to escort you around our capitol tomorrow after your culture lessons with Liam."

Well great, now I have something to look forward to after being stuck in a room with my mate.