Mate I never wanted

Unexpected encounter

Vivian

The message informing me that the start of military training would begin today came an hour after Lucien left.

At that time, I emailed him asking for annulment and filled in the request to the elder council. And I finished just in time to get ready to leave for the training camp.

For the next month, I will be pushed into physically draining drills and missions. No contact with home, social media or anyone else other than instructors and your team.

Sounds fun.

With my bag packed, I made my way to the departure area, where all the school's spaceships were parked. The familiar scent of the spacecraft fuel made some of the anxious aches more comfortable. Sure, my specialty was designing spacecraft and I mainly did attack or warships, but I like traditional spacecrafts too. Maintenance and piloting them was not as enjoyable as designing them, but it gave me comfort.

As my eyes kept observing the simple but beautiful design of the classic spacecraft that was issued for mainly passenger transportation, I was startled by a soft and teasing voice.

"Where is your new toy? Have you got tired of him already? If so, would you mind if I took him for a ride?"

"Aren't you engaged, Rebeca?"

"So? Can't a girl enjoy herself? I am not going to break off my engagement with Michael, but there is no harm in having some fun."

"I don't think Michael would appreciate you saying that."

"We have an agreement. No scandal that could hurt either of our families, but other than that, up until we get mated, we are free."

My eyes turned to the black-haired cat hybrid. Her narrow eyes were full of mischief.

Rebeca was not really someone I would call a friend, but she was one of the few students in my class that did not irritate me to the point of murder. So I guess she is as close to a friend as I could get. As a wolf hybrid, I am not really keen on relationships or friendships. It is really uncommon for any wolf hybrid to form friendships, and I am no exception.

"I guess that is a good plan, and as for Lucien, he has family business to take care of."

"Isn't he part of the same program as us? This military training is mandatory for everyone."

A small chuckle rose in my chest. What she was saying is true.

In order to graduate, you have to participate in military training, but Lucien has already graduated. And even if he hadn't gotten the honorary degree, by now I am sure he has more experience than most professors in the academy.

"His family took care of that, he doesn't need to participate."

Her eyes went wide as she stared at me in shock.

"What power does that boy have to get out of military training? Not even James's family could get him out of the training, and his mother is cousin to the current right hand of the emperor."

Oh, if only she knew...

If I told her right now, she would not believe me, but I was not going to mention it. I could expose Lucien like that.

"I don't know, but he won't be attending."

The tone of my voice should be a clear indicator that I was not in the mood to talk about it more and if she did ask me more I would not answer her.

To my luck, one of the professors started calling names and dividing students into their assigned ships. So we both moved in the direction of the professor.

As I was walking, my mind started to wander and my thoughts turned to Lucien. By now, he would have received not only my message, but also the notification from the elder council about my request to annulment of our mating match.

I was curious about his reaction to this...

Sure, he probably has come back to his normal self after his heat fully faded, and he would probably sign it without even questioning it. Because it was the right choice, the logical thing to do.

But then my mind turns to the adorable silver-haired fox that has spent the last few days with me. He, no matter how many times I told him, refused to even consider the annulment. The question is how much control that little fox has.

He was so sweet over the last few days, feeding me, cycling with me. All I can remember is how soft and warm I felt last night while he held me. A part of me did not want it to end… I wanted more…

Wait... do I want him not to agree to the annulment?

That is silly. I know that under no circumstances would any sane future ruler, would choose me as their mate. When I said that I was not fit to be the next empress of the Empire Alpha.

I have no family or royal blood to my name. I was one of the most hated species of hybrid, and generally I do not really fit into royal society.

The pointless storm in my head was disturbed by a professor calling my name.

He directed me to my assigned spaceship and, just to my luck, I was placed to sit next to James... fun.

I hadn't seen him since he got his ass beat by Lucien, so I hadn't seen the damage.

He had a black eye and bandages covering his right arm that clearly took the majority of the attack. I know that it is not nice of me to think this, but it felt good to see him get payback after what he did to me and how he has been treating me for the last few days.

As I sat in my designated seat, he looked around with a scared look on his face. His eyes clearly searching for someone in the room, but when he did not see who he was looking for, his body relaxed.

"Where is your little lapdog? Already bored with him? You know that mother has requested an investigation due to the aggression he showed in class?"

Releasing a deep sigh, I settled into my seat and, without turning to him, I answered.

"He is not here and no, I am not bored by him. He has family business to attend to. And we both know that the investigation will not lead anywhere, because there was no aggression. You lost fair and square. It only makes you look desperate."

I answered in a bored voice.

Before he could answer, there was a loud announcement that we would be taking off in a few moments. The surrounding seats were filled and someone started talking to James, so he did not bother me the rest of the way.

I spent most of the few hours of travelling napping, just because I did not get that much sleep when Lucien was staying with me. There was also the fact that there was a great chance there would not be much time to sleep once we landed. Information about training is a secret, but students still share their experiences and if we were to believe what they said... it would be pure torture.

As we landed, there was quite a lot of noise as students made their way out of the spacecraft.

The moment I stepped out of the spacecraft, I was hit by a big wave of humid heat. Well, it will be fun here. The air was heavy and lacked the coolness we were used to in the capital, sweat had already started to gather on my lower back.

This was a jungle planet, and it was mostly inhabited by wild beasts. The uneven terrain and thick forests around us make it a great place to train newbies... but it will suck spending the next month here.

We were all guided into a big crowd where an opening speech would be given. I stopped next to a pair of girls that were having a heated discussion about something and I could not overhear it.

"... but what will he be doing here? Doesn't Prince Ninth have anything better to do?"

Wait...

Lucien is here?

Why is he here?