I Don’t Want A Mate

Regret

Mila

I woke up the next day...and it was hard to look at myself in the mirror, I feel like s**t. I might not want a mate, but Liam.. I mean Durand, shared something personal with me and I slammed the door in his face.

What kind of person does that?

Making my way to my espresso machine, one that Des had shown me how to use...sort of. On my floor sat an envelope with an old wax seal. I could only guess that it was from Durand...

Qucikly popping the seal.. my anxity spiked, anxiously wondering what his response would be.

Would he be mad? Did I care? Should I care?

Dearest Mila,

Before you spend the day possibly beating yourself up, just know that I don't expect anything from you. I know that one day spent together is not long enough for you to understand my character. I would not expect things for us to change as mates, at least not in one day. I did not tell you about my past life to push through your boundaries as a mate. I offered what I could as a friend and your shield. Which is my understanding of your sorrow. I knew my mother well and I mourn her. The fact that you seemed shocked about your father leads me to believe that his history was neglected from your knowledge. I shared what we learned yesterday with Cahira. I have asked her to find out as much information about your father as she can. I'm hoping that this will bring you comfort and not anger. I will be away for a few days, but both Cahira and Finn

will be here to continue with your training.

Your friend and Shield,

Liam Durand.

P.S. I liked when you called me Liam.

I looked at my phone and realized that I would be late to my lesson with Cahira... I quickly changed and ran out the door. I'd have to process that letter later.

I met Cahira outside on the mat.

She gave no greeting or even a smile my way....instead we went straight into sparring. There was no warming up either. Just a quick and brutal sparring lesson that left me bruised, sweating and heaving...

There were no kind words of consideration this time, just simple directions to Finn's office...which was right acorss the way from Liam's... I mean Durand's office.

Following the series of halls that I had yesterday, I found Finn's office easily. He even left the door open to make it easier for me.

"What are you doing?" I asked... as yet another poster fell down...

"I'm supposed to teach you about the different local families of influence and the elders in preporation for your introduction. You see how well that's going..."

"Why don't you use that ipad over there and just show their photos on there..."

"f**k, that sounds alot easier... hang on."

He quickly disposes the posters and ushers for me to sit down before catching himself. bowing and then ushering me to sit down.

The next hour or so we go over familes, the next in line and the contribution to this Island.

Everything seemed normal and casual until halfway through my second coffee Finn just pops off and asks me a question.

"So...can I be honest with you?" asked Finn as he reviewed some notes on his ipad.

"...Yes?"

"You weren't what I thought a queen would be..I mean... I was expecting a spoiled Alpha's daughter. Raised to believe that she is our queen, but you're far from spoiled. You have...grit and grit doesn't come from having an easy life."

"...I had an okay life, but not an easy one. What do you mean by grit?"

"You have Cahira's lessons without complaint. You have a backbone..Which most can't even keep up with her...maybe it's more of a feeling then anything, but I'm glad that you aren't just another spoiled Alpha's daughter.".. Finn looked a little embarressed before saying... "My life wasn't easy... my family and a few other lived on the main land and it wasn't easy. We couldn't seem to fit into the world or build traction. So we were mostly poor. I stole food more often then not...that was until Durand repaired the relationships and we were able to come back to these lands.."

"I know that it's like to be desprate. Maybe its something that you see in me because you know what its like...after my dad died, my mothers mate, I had to steal food to keep my twin and myself alive."

"So you know what its like to be hungry... that makes sense why you're so...humble."

"I'm not sure about humble..."

"Well.. you haven't met most Lycans..."

"True...so Durand is a ladies man who rides motorcyles... I wouldn't have pegged him for that."

Or maybe I would have. Between the pretty face and the tattoos...

Finn winced before saying,

"I...uh... not quite. More so he's a prince and so woman are just there, but its rare that he actually took an interest in one..."

I rolled my eyes before looking around.

Finn's office was simple, clean. Most of the windows were open letting in the sound of the ocean near by.

"How convient for him... to be handsome and powerful..."

"Well yeah... that. Where is Cahira? She's supposed to be showing you the rest of our capitol."

Finn's eyes glazed over like he was mind linking Cahira...

"Ah, she had to pick up her daughter away from school. She'll be here soon."