Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 93

Lily's

pov:

"Can you feel it too? You can feel it, can't you, Lily? It's the mating bond. It's singing to the two of us and what a wonderful song it is."

What a beautiful song it was indeed, only that it was only a few seconds before my entire world fell apart at the realization of who my mate was. Staring at myself in the mirror, I frowned, trying to calm my retching gut and racing heart.

The first thing I did as soon as I ran into the bathroom was throw up all the lunch I'd had. Even though I was far away from the library, it felt like my lungs were about to stop functioning as I replayed how I had just found out what I had spent the entire week dreading; who my mate was.

Aiden freaking Vanderbilt. Of all people.

This has to be a mistake. The goddess must have a very dark, very wicked sense of humor.

With shaky hands, I texted Rhea informing her that I was going to be canceling the shopping date and sent Ren a message to come and pick me up, knowing that wherever he was, he was going to find his way to me once he got my text. I did not bother to explain why I was changing my plans because I was not even ready to accept this news, not to talk of letting others know about the fact that the most terrifying of all the princes in Shadow cove happened to be my mate.

I hated how my body longed for him, hated how his face had looked so appealing, how his threats had made me feel like I was truly going to lose my mind.

I hated that I could finally place what I had felt for him when I went down on him even though he blackmailed me. There was a word for it now and I was even so ashamed to admit it.

Attraction. Lust. Full blown lust. Joy that I was not mate less after all.

I could not even begin to imagine what he would do to me if he ever caught me, but I would never let that happen. Because Aiden was many things, but above all, he was someone who kept his word. Whatever he says he'd do is what he'd do. And I knew that if he caught me, he would claim me, whether I wanted it or not. I hated that a part of me was even already considering the idea of us being mates. Of being forced to be mates.

I must really be losing my mind.

That, or my wolf must really despise me. The b***h hadn't bothered to make herself known to me all these years, until it was time to imprint on my biggest enemy. Even now, she remained deathly silent, taking her sweet time watching me slowly spiral into madness. Quickly heading out of the bathroom immediately some girls rushed in and I quickly left, not wanting to draw attention to myself. I started running as fast as my legs could carry, heading to the private garage to hide out there until Ren found me and and I did not realize how fast I was running, not until I rounded a corner and slammed into somebody who still seemed to have those judgemental eyes and pretentious smile.

It was Mauve that was staring back at me with a smile that on her face and my heart stopped in my chest.

The news had already circulated around school that Ren had rejected Mauve and that their bond was broken officially so I didn't even understand why Mauve was smiling at me, given that I knew from the anger in her gaze that she blamed me for the break in the bond.

It's not like Ren and I were even being lowkey with our public displays of affection.

She must hate me... almost as much as I was now wary of her.

Quickly backtracking, I murmured an apology and was about to leave when she stopped me again.

"Are you alright? Looking for Ren perhaps?" She asked and I shook my head, feeling suddenly apprehensive even though she had just asked a question, an innocent smile plastered on her face.

"I want to pee and then find Ren, but I'll be okay. Thank you." I replied, Making my way back to the bathroom.

Turning around, I froze when I saw two boys blocking my path, both of them wearing sinister smiles on their faces.

I turned around to look at Mauve, my pulse, racing.

"Whatever you're trying to do, stop it." I warned.

She placed a dainty hand on her lips and giggled. "Me, but I'm not trying to do anything. It's them you should be worried about."

The last thing I remember as I tried to turn around was Mauve's menacing smile that was up to no good, right as I was knocked unconscious.

"Get me her phone. Let's make sure no one's looking for her until I'm done with her." Was the last thing I heard as I fell unconscious. Aiden's pov

"So what do you want? A hug? A pat on the back? Acceptance?"

Her hateful sneer twisted my guts. Her words, driving a knife through my chest.

"I was hurt, beaten and bullied at your command. Hunted like a common thief. I was almost raped on my first day here. And it was all. Your. Fault!"

I couldn't do anything to stop it because they were true. Her accusations were all true.

And as for those boys that had tried to rape her... I was going to find those assholes and f*****g splay them.

"I wanted to kill myself, Aiden. Did you know that?"

No. No. I didn't know. The consequences of my actions were not something I had ever considered in my life... until a few minutes ago... when someone that was meant to be the most important person in my life opened my eyes to it.

If Lily had killed herself... It was like losing a part of me. No wonder Nyx had gone berserk on that Tate guy when Ren revealed his history with Lily.

To think that I was no better... I had pushed her to think those thoughts...

"I refuse to be with someone like you, mate or not. I will never agree to be mated to a monster like you, Aiden Vanderbilt. I would rather die!"

Her words had broken something in me. My heart threatened to rip out of my chest. I could not imagine how much more devastating it would be for me to get rejected.

What would happen if she decided that she didn't want me in her life at all and could not get past what a person that I was?

Her words kept replaying in my head like a broken record and the more the words played, the more horrible I felt about everything because the mating bond had attacked me like a stab to the chest, making me feel her pain. I could sense all of her emotions. Every single one.

Her emotions were so strong, filled with so much rage, hate and sorrow that it had almost sent me to my knees.

And instead of me to acknowledge her, to assure her that I was not trying to harm her anymore, I had decided to do what I always do best; make matters worse. Destroy what was in my path.

I decided to threaten her, something that would not earn me any extra points in her books. Besides, while I would never have to force a woman to be with me, a small part of me was still very satisfied with my choice of words.

Not claiming Lily was not an option for me. I needed my mate more than she needed me, not only because she was my kryptonite but because Night Shade men were more prone to going feral without their mates by their sides. Toeing the edge between madness and sanity was going to get the better of me one of these days, and the only thing that can keep me grounded, keep my wolf tethered to sanity, was my mate.

And I had gone and ruined it.

I hated myself so much for this bad habit of wanting to hurt back anyone who hurts me first. I had only said those words to scare her, to be the one doing the hurting and even though it had effectively produced the desired effect, what was the point? I only felt even worse thinking about it.

I buried my face in my hands, cursing myself.

I don't know how long I stayed like that, wallowing and contemplating.

Suddenly, I felt soft hands on my hair and Nyx stirred in revulsion.

I looked up to glare at Paige who didn't pay my rage to mind as she settled on my lap, her slim arms going around my neck.

"Are you up for tonight?" She whispered against my ears and I grabbed her arm, forcing her to look at me.

"We're not doing this anymore."

Ice blue eyes widened perceptively. "What do you mean?"

"I've found my mate. Our arrangement is over."

She froze. "What do you mean by that? Who is she?"

"Are you questioning me right now?" I asked coldly.

"N- no. I just meant-"

"Get up."

She rose to her feet. "What I mean is, I'm the one for you. I get you in a way no other girl would. It's not every girl that can stomach the darkness you have in you, Aiden. But I don't mind. I don't fear you. I love you." "What?" I asked in rage, looking at her as if she had gone insane.

"I know, I know. Our arrangement was simple. It was just supposed to be about s*x. I wasn't supposed to want anything more but I've always thought we looked perfect together. I'm supposed to be queen of this school. Me, not Mauve. It's only right I rule by your side and stop acting like her pathetic underling. I'm the Beta's daughter. My father is your uncle's trusted right hand man. I'm meant for you, Aiden."

"Have you gone insane?" I asked, my voice low, standing up to tower over her.

She swallowed but refused to back down. "Admit it. There's no other girl in all of Shadow Cove that will get you like I do. There's nobody else meant for you. It's me, Aiden. Me."

"Listen to me, you deluded simpleton. I've already told you that there was nothing to it from the start but it seems like your pathetic brain can't comprehend simple facts. You were nothing more than a disposable plaything, a convenient distraction to pass the time. How you managed to convince yourself that you could ever be the one for me is beyond me."

She stepped back, her hurt and fear seeping into my soul as Nyx lapped it up like it was his favourite dinner.

"I c- I can't believe this." She was sweating. Hyperventilating. Hysterical. "What do you mean? How could things change? I'm yours Aiden. You only kept coming back to me. ME! I was the one constant in your life. How can you say you felt nothing?!" "You're really dumb, aren't you, Paige?"

"Who is she?" She growled. "You've gone to school with everyone at this academy since we were f*****g kids. The only person that has recently been admitted is..." She froze with the sudden realization.

"Her?" She asked, disgusted. "The traitor's daughter? Gold Crest's reject? That dumb f*****g b-"

My hand closed around her throat as I lifted her up, stopping her mid tirade. "Finish those words about my mate and it will be the last words you ever speak."

"Ngchkkkngh."

I squeezed harder around her slender neck. "I am alpha, and with it comes a superiority that you will never understand. My mate is chosen to be my equal in everything, that places her far above in the hierarchy than you will ever be. I suggest you learn some respect before I am forced to teach it to you."

"Aid- Aiden-" she wheezed, her face turning purple.

"Let me make this perfectly clear once and for all: I don't want you. I have never wanted you. And I certainly don't care about the fantasy you've built in that head of yours. You were foolish to believe that we could ever be anything more. Now, take your pathetic delusions elsewhere and leave me alone. Find someone else who might actually tolerate your delusions. But don't fool yourself into thinking it will ever be me."

I dropped her and she fell to the ground, holding her neck and wheezing.

"Oh, and Paige," She looked up at me with fearful eyes and tear stained cheeks. "Mention one word about our history to Lily and I will rip out your voice box myself."

I turned and walked away, deciding to just f**k it and leave school already.

It was already getting dark as I sat in my car, my nerves thrumming with anxiety.

I've given her enough time. I should go looking for her now.

What if I show up at her door? Would she let me in? Ren had told me she's staying with her human friend. I should get her something...

But what if she freaks out? What if she lashes out and rejects me?

I raked an anxious hand through my hair, confused on what to do.

Deciding to busy myself with my phone, my throat dried up when I saw the snaps and all I could see were them still trying to get more gifts for Lily. There were videos and videos of my friends setting up Lily's party, her gifts, decorations, all that s**t. Envy and rage boiled in my blood as I squeezed my phone hard in my grasp.

What felt even more hurtful was seeing Zac and Ren included in these videos. The both of them were in the same place and had both invited to celebrate with her. How could they be doing this behind my back? I was the one that was supposed to be invited. I wanted to celebrate this special day with her. She should be sharing this day with me! Not with Ren, not with anyone else. With me!

Dragging a restless hand through my hair, I could not stop thinking about how it had felt so right to be so close to her, to pull her into my arms for one short, sweet moment. How her scent had messed with my entire head and how much I wished she was mine. And yet, two friends that I called brothers had decided to take what was mine from me? Those traitors had dared to covet what was mine?

f**k no. They were going to pay.

I guarantee it.