I Don’t Want A Mate

Forced Proximity

Mila

We sat at a long dinner table, albeit a tense dinner table. Earlier this evening, Amber got ahold of Ashley and asked her if she would take my place here. She agreed and even said the project she was working on with Dr. Moore was far enough along to where it could be moved.

As much as I was sad about not staying, and the loss of freedom for my shifted self, I can't stay here. Amber knows how I feel about mates. I don't know the laws here. It wasn't too long ago in werewolf history that mates were considered legal property. I had no doubt Felix would take any of us, but will his son? Well, we're about to find out.

Liam, who we haven't been officially introduced to yet, sits on the other side of the outdoor dining area. He looks casual in a dark T-shirt and jeans. The same silver tattoos on the back of his neck also cover the entirety of his arms. Not that I'm staring at him, but I catch him watching me. To his right is Cahira, and to his left is a guy that is way too happy and cracking way too many jokes to break the tension of this place.

"I may have found a solution for our dilemma. Ashley has offered to take Mila's place here...", started Amber.

"No," said Liam.

"Excuse me? You can't make Mila stay," said Amber right back, glaring at Liam across the table.

"Of course, I can't. We have the same laws as you and have had them for longer, but I can reject your other candidate. By our laws, as the regent, it's my job to pick the best head queen for our people. Ashley can come, but she will be assigned to one of the territories and not made the head queen. Meaning she would not have access to the power, resources, and connections that you're looking for in this alliance. "

"Son..." started Felix, but Liam just continued, looking cool, calm, and determined.

"Does this Ashley have a wolf with so much Lycan blood, that she wants to go through the possible painful process of changing forms?"

"No...but..." said Amber.

"Then you're withholding the best Queen for my people."

Oh F*CK him, my blood was boiling before I said,

"OUR people, you jackass... you're trying to keep me here because I'm your mate! But just because I'm here doesn't change the fact that I don't want a mate and never have."

Liam smirked like he'd won this argument before saying,

"I said that purposefully, and you just proved my next point. You might think I'm only keeping you here because we're mates, but even if we weren't mates, I would have picked you out of the room easily. You have the most Lycan blood. You want to be here. You want to rule. I can feel it. You aren't doing this because of obligation, you're doing this because you know in your bones that you belong here."

All the air rushed out of my lungs as I realized he was right.

I hated admitting it, but he was right.

I said back down and planted my feet flat on the ground, ready to fight back.

"Fine, you're right. I'll stay, but only if you're not the only one that trains me. I want Cahira to train me and the guy to your left. He seems way more fun than your grumpy @ss."

Liam visibly relaxes and even leans back in his chair.

"Done. It was never the plan for me to be the only one that trained you. Someone has to run this kingdom, which has seven territories by the way. I can't spend all my time training you.".

And just like that, I'm a queen again or a queen in training.

"Well, now that's settled, and the tension isn't so thick in here that I could cut it with my knife, can we get the dessert out?" says the guy to Liam's left, and Liam scowls at him in the process.

The guy lifts his hands in defeat, before saying, "What? I'm not wrong... I'm Finn by the way." He says as he looks our way and gives a small wave.

"I'd get up and bow as we have a queen now...but that would delay dessert longer"

"Oh my Goddess Finn just shut up," said Cahira as she rolled her eyes.

What an interesting dynamic between the brooding prince, his overly exuberant third, and his elegant and serious second.

As if on que, an older man pushes a multi level cart towards our table. The sweet smell hit me as he neared...he stopped by Eva first, and she laughed a bit before saying,

"Please start with Mila. I can feel her excitement from here....just leave some for the rest of us, huh?" she said while sending me a teasing glance.

I lifted one finger in the air at her before containing my excitement. I'm almost twenty and queen, squirming in my seat over sweets was not okay.

I loved sweets. If I could live off of desserts, then I so would.

I took small servings of everything. Fighting the urge to take the entire tray of apple tarts for myself. The kind gentleman pushing the cart caught me staring at the apple tarts and smiled before saying, "I have another entire tray of apple tarts. I can bring more out more for you."

"I would love that... if it's not too much trouble for you. What is your name? I don't want to only know you as the bringer of desserts. Although you having that title just made you my favorite person here." I gave him a small smile, and I swear the older man blushed.

He bowed at the waist before saying,

"My Queen's name is Arthur and I'm the head chef here. Please come down to the kitchens or let one of your maids know, and I'll happily send you any desserts that you'd prefer."

"Oh nooo...don't tell her that.... she'll lose all her teeth from the amount of desserts she could consume." said Eva, and I quickly elbowed in her side.

"Arthur, do not listen to a word my twin says. I will happily do that, thank you."

During this entire conversation, I could see Liam's gaze burning into the side of my head. It took everything in me not to flip him off too. I didn't care what he thought, but anyone staring at you can make you jumpy, and I hated that feeling.

"Well, now that everything appears settled again, can I know how long you are here? Stay as long as you want, there is no rush, but I could also arrange some tours of the island while you're here.", said Felix as he looked on us with a warm smile.

"Unfortunately, with everything going on, we can only stay until tomorrow night," said Amber as she returned Felixes kind gaze.

"Oh trust me, I understand. I still remember how quickly things would pile up when I was Regent Prince. Just know that you are welcome anytime. We have rooms here that are strictly yours and they're always open. We also have multiple homes over the different islands. Each island has its own culture and flavor. So feel free to explore. Liam here has turned several islands into profitable vacation destinations. So come here and enjoy them."

"Thank you so much, Felix. I love it here and have a more flexible schedule. So I'll be back soon and try to bring Cole with me," said Andrea.