I Don’t Want A Mate

Heritage

Mila

I still held my breath as my eyes took in everything about this photo. I had never seen my father in his shifted form. He always said he was afraid he'd scare us. That never made sense to me before, but now maybe this is why. Because his shifted form would have been different to our mothers. Much bigger too. This is why we never stayed in a pack when my father was alive. Lycans and werewolves were always at odds because of the power struggle. But this also made us an easy target that night.

I shook off the dark memories as I took my first breath out and ended in a sob. For years, I wanted information about my father. My mother refused to talk about him and even changed our last names to keep us safe, she said. I was too young to remember those details. I had never known my real last name or if my father had any family still alive. Sure, my mother had a family alive, but they were always distant and busy... I might have an entirely different family here.

Tears ran down my face, ruined my makeup, but I didn't give a sh*t.

I hadn't cried in years, but the overwhelming emotions I felt right now...the main one being relief...

My eyes scanned the card below...

"Timothy Dellis."

My last name was Dellis! My real last name. MY father's last name...

"Young engineer who remade several parts of our water purification system. Keeping our water clean throughout all seven islands."

"This... was...my... father..." I said as another round of sobs wrecked over me.

Durand, who was standing behind me, pulled me to his chest, and I was glad about it because I was pretty sure my legs were about to give out.

I should be mad that Durand is holding me, but I can't be. I can't add any other emotions to the swirling storm that's rushing out of me right now. Years of pent-up confusion and loss coming to the surface.

"I also lost my mother." Said Durand as he held me...

I somehow managed the word. "How?"

"A car accident on the main land...a drunk driver hit her side of the car and we rolled down a hillside. She was pinned and gas had started to leak out...If we were humans, she would have died when the car hit her side, but she didn't...she somehow managed to break my window and undo my seatbelt... I was in the front seat since I was tall...my last memories of her were of her screaming my name in pain and telling me to run..."

My crying had started to calm some because of listening to his story...

"Is that why you don't go by Liam?"

"Yes, and I don't tell you this to make you feel bad for me, but only for you to know that I understand firsthand the loss of a parent."

I didn't know how to respond to that. I was numb at this point with nothing to offer him, but I didn't think Durand wanted that from me. He simply wanted me to know that he understands my sorrow.

I pulled away from him then, looking everywhere but at Durand.

"Do you know if he, my father, has a family here?"

"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Dellis are well respected among our elders. You would have met them next week when we have a small dinner with the elders to introduce you. But I can arrange something sooner."

"No..please..if anything, I need to sort myself... before I meet them."

"Okay, what if I simply ask them to come by the event earlier? That way you can reunite in private."

"That sounds... better."

A million questions raced through my head. I was four when my father died. Why do I not remember his parents? Did I meet them and I don't remember? Did they not want me...and Eva? Why had they not searched for us?! My mother's family was distant at most. They sent gifts on our birthdays...and Christmas... until we turned eighteen. I can count on one hand the number of times I had seen them and talked to them on the phone. All this time... I had a whole other family here, on the Island of the Lycans.

"You have one more family member on this wall..." He tilted his head towards a large painting of a woman. I'd recognize the nose, hair and eye color anywhere...

A slightly hysterical laugh came from me as I realized she was the only one wearing pants and not a ball gown. So my rebellious streak came from her...

"Why is she the only one in pants?"

Durand shrugged...

"Maybe because she was smart. She developed the water purification system that we use to this day. Iris was ahead of her time and tried to set us up for success here."

"The same water purification that my father helped improve?"

"The same one...You have an inventor and engineer in your bloodline. I'm guessing you did well in school?"

I snorted, "When I finally had the motivation to do so, most classes were too easy. It was more fun to fail them, but then Ralph, my stepfather, bribed me with fixing my dad's motorcycle. I had transportation and a willingness to get good grades all in one."

"Where's the motorcycle now?"

"Probably in a barn, rusting.....what happened to Iris?"

"She...like the other Lycans, stayed behind. They and a very small group of stayed behind and hosted the same Wizard that you're fighting now. They were hoping to kill him, but didn't want to risk all of us. My ancestors disagreed, but they actually drugged all their shields and had willing servants bring us here to rule. Some woke up and went back and perished. My ancestor was the only shield that had the proper dosage of the drug and landed here to rule and rebuild."

"What is a shield?"

"A shield is... it's like a best friend that would take a bullet for you without hesitation. Our main purpose is to protect you at any cost to ourselves."

"Oh..."

A silence settled over us now, not an awkward one...as I literally just covered Durand's shirt with tears and makeup.

"I need a dessert after this day..." I said with a sigh...

"I happen to know a chef who would be happy if you made a personal visit to the kitchen..."

An hour later, we headed back up stairs to the main floor with all the bedrooms. Me carrying a basket of desserts with way more in there I could even eat.

I had started to calm down some, but then a little panic set in. I didn't want Durand to think that things had changed between us. Because things hadn't, and I needed to set the record straight. Our bonding over shared loss wouldn't change that I don't want a mate.

We walked up to my door, and before I could lose my nerve, I said, "I hope you know today changed nothing between us..."

And I took it one step too far. I slammed the door in his handsome face.