Mate I never wanted

First class

Vivian

As the emperor's wife was led out through the back door, we walked back into the classroom. Lucien, of course, followed me out to the main classroom, but Richard walked a few moves in the background. If you did not know that he was there, you would not have noticed him at all. That was impressive considering his size.

"Vivian, is this your new toy now that James ditched you for Margaret?"

I ignored the voice from the back of the room as Lucien and I sat down in my usual seat. While I was preparing for class, a couple of girls started talking to Lucien. To my surprise, he answered them in quite a friendly manner. But he did not let his attention fall from me.

The Ninth prince was not known as a super-friendly person. Actually, quite the opposite.

In the military he is known as a great commander, but not with a very agreeable character… but Lucien seemed quite the opposite. He talked with students around him, sporting a smile on his face. I could not help myself, but observe him, observe how he interacts with others, how sweet and kind he seems from the first glance. I bet no one would believe me if I told them that this was the famous prince Ninth.

A moment before the class was about to start, James and Micheal stepped into the classroom. They saw us sitting here together, and I could see anger brewing in James, the moment he saw Lucien's hand on mine. He, of course, dragged Michael to our table.

"Did you bring him to make me jealous? Are you that desperate? You know that it won't work. Under no circumstances would I take you back, especially now that I have Margaret as my fiancé. Her family is already planing the wedding."

James said, clearly trying to get a reaction out of me... how pathetic… and sad.

"As if she would want your weak ugly ass now that she has that silver-haired fox for herself."

A voice from the back of the room flew at James, and he looked like he had been slapped.

"Yeah, you look at him, he is clearly stronger and way hotter than you, James. Pull your head out of your ass. It’s clear that Vivian had moved on, and you are the one that hasn’t gotten the message."

"Vivian, where have you been hiding this piece of candy? And why the hell have you been with James's ugly ass if you had him on the side?"

The loud insulting charter of the classroom was quite entertaining, especially because it was clear that most people here did not really like James. I would feel bad for him, but he was the one to attack me first, which was completely uncalled-for.

"Who's the monkey that is bothering you, darling?"

Lucien calling James a monkey was a great insult. As an ape hybrid, he pried himself on his intelligence and strength of an ape, so calling him something so small and stupid was the best insult to the other hybrids' pride. Insulting one's animal form, just like their scent, is the most painful way to go. I could not help but chuckle at the witty insult.

"A nobody that can't take a hint. Just ignore him, and I am sure he will go away."

I said loud enough for everyone to her. Before James could answer, the doors to the classroom opened and the professor of this class walked in. So James had no choice, but to walk to his seat. As he made his way to the back of the room, a few more insults flew his way.

Hmm... this is starting to be quite a good day.

The first half of the day flew by. Lucien spent the whole day sitting by my side, idly playing with my hands under the table or touching me in some other way. All of his attention was on me. He did not even look at the teacher the whole time. When asked a question, he answered all of them with great detail and precision, impressing not only me, but the whole class. If the teacher asked me a question, he would whisper the answer into my ear.

I knew that he was smart... but that was impressive.

As lunchtime came, Lucien insisted on paying for my food, and I did not have it in me to fight him about that. While we were picking up what to eat, he kept piling food on my plate, and I could not help but chuckle at it. I tried to fight him, saying that it was too much, but he kept saying that I needed to eat. I ended up agreeing only because he insisted that we share.

Food was a bit of a sensitive topic for me as a wolf hybrid. I needed a lot more food to keep my stamina up, and I was a bit bulkier than most other hybrids. So, while going out in public, I never eat my full. It displeased the Cliffwinds and reminded them of me being a wolf hybrid that was so out of place among their tinny badger hybrids... yet another reminder that I do not fit among them and my animal being a sore topic for them, it did not fit in their perfect little public image of the perfect family. So, while I would go out with them or attend official parties, I would not eat. It was not a problem for me, and it pleased them, so I was happy to sacrifice a meal or two for their happiness.

James also disliked my appetite and ways of eating. Constantly commenting on it and pointing out all the things he saw wrong about it. So it is no surprise that he sneaked his way to my table and started mocking me for it.

"Did you leave any food for others, Vivian? It is so low class to eat so much. Margaret eats like a tiny bird. Yesterday, she barely finished a salad."

"Probably couldn't keep it down, because she had to look at your ugly face."

Someone from the table next to us commented, while Lucien just ignored him and completely concentrated on feeding me. It had me blushing like crazy, but I could not say no to his puppy dog eyes. Bit by bit he placed different pieces of food in my mouth… and if I am honest food never tasted so well.

"Actually, disorderly eating habits affect persons hybrid powers and are a sign of poor mental health and self-image. You should consider getting this Margaret some professional help."

Lucien said in a completely monotonic voice, while he placed a piece of fruit to my lips. His fingers kept tracing my lips as I chewed.

His hungry eyes never left my mouth as I chewed… I knew that the hunger in his eyes was not for food.

My own body reacted to his gentle touch.

If I was honest, I had never seen food as something so sensual. Especially not in a busy place like the cafeteria… but everything melted away when our eyes met, and he placed a piece of bread in my mouth.

My lips closed around his fingers and a little sound of pleasure left my throat.

Shit… did I really release that sound in a room full of people?

My reaction to him, made Lucien grin as he continued talking to James.

"The Empire's and elder councils official opinion is that a mate has to feed themselves according to their animal's need, so they could give birth to strong babies in the future and could protect their mate if the need arises... I tend to agree with this position."

He continued to talk and leaned in to lick away a droplet of juice from the corners of my lips. Shivers and goosebumps spread through my body as his gentle tongue made contact with my skin.

The whole time he was feeding me, his eyes completely concentrated on me, it made this simple mundane action of eating so sensual.

I had to look away before I combusted into flames of lust for this silver-haired fox.

In the corner of my eyes I could see James standing there completely scandalized. His cheeks red and I’m not sure if it was because of the sensuality of the moment, or he was going to go crazy with anger.

"Come one darling, one more bite..."

Lucien drew my attention back to him as he said that and raised a piece of the most expensive meat on the campus cafeteria to my lips. His fingers brushed against my lips as I took the piece, and my tongue lightly glazed the top of his fingers. A moment later, he took that hand to his mouth and cleaned off the little bits of the food from his finger. His eyes found mine... and if I'm honest, this was the hottest thing I had ever seen before.

I blinked a few times, forcing away the lust haze, and forced myself to remember that we were in public.

"Umm... I'm full and we should get going. We have combative training after lunch. It is not a good idea to get too full before that."

I got up from our table and pulled Lucien after me. As we picked up our trays, I could see anger radiating from James.