Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 174

Lily's POV

For weeks I had been waiting for this day to arrive and as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I had a bright smile that reached my eyes. I remembered the first day I was heading to Shadow cove academy. There had been no smile, no optimism, just hope that I would be able to finish high school so that I could leave Shadow cove all together with my mother but today, all I can think about is how grateful I am to be alive, to have my loved ones with me and to be able to attend the end of the school year dance ball. "Speaking of loved ones, Bia was currently staring at me with concentration as she did my makeup and we both heard my mum yell from downstairs.

"You are running late, Lily."

"You heard her I said to Bia who rolled her eyes at me.

"I heard her too, she muttered as he brushed pink blush across my cheekbones. "Unfortunately, I cannot rush perfection."

Several minutes later, she was done. Her red eyes glowed with a feral excitement, a quick reminder that for all that Bia still looked and acted pretty much human, she was a vampire. But it didn't matter what she was. She was my best friend. I was happy with her progress and grateful that she was able to fit in and with the corrupt members of the council taken care off by Dahlia, she had been allowed to live in Shadow cove with her father. Her house was just down the street, which made me so happy.

"It's time to go and dazzle everyone." She said, taking my hand and leading me downstairs to where Theo, my mother and Angelo were in a casual conversation. The three of them paused when I described down the stairs, looking in awe when I finally reached the ground. The Silence was palpable as they stared at me but it was not awkward because I could see the joy and approval on their faces.

*I was wearing a glittering white ball gown that was cinched at the waist and spread out from there like it did in all those Barbie movies that Bia. Bia had helped me pack my hair up like a bride and a tiara say perfectly on my head.

I saw my mother's eyes dampen with tears as she pulled me in for a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Lily."

"You can't make her cry, Tia Hermione. It will ruin her makeup," Bia muttered but she was also crying, her eyes bright with joy as she leaned into Angelo who kissed her forehead.

"You're right." My mum said with a laugh and led me outside to where a limo had been sent to pick me up, thanks to my mate.

By the time I arrived at school, Ren and Cade were waiting for me in the private garage and with them was Rhea, Chelsea and Chase.

Rhea rushed to pull me in for a hug immediately I stepped out of the Limo and I grinned when I smelled Chase all over her. She had accepted the mating bond, I realized. Pulling back to kiss her cheek, I beamed at her. "I'm so happy that you decided to give him a chance."

She knew what I was talking about right away, turning to smile shyly at Chase who grinned, waving at us.

"It's thanks to you, Lily. You inspired me to follow my heart and I'm grateful that I wasn't stubborn and lost him."

-"Where is my hug?" Chelsea asked as she walked up to us and I chuckled, pulling her in for a hug.

"Ooh, edgy dress,

"I commented when we pulled back. She

was wearing a short white dress with an edgy cleavage design and a black corset.

"Yeah, you like it?"

"I do. Very steampunk chic, but can you even breathe in it?"

"Honestly, no. But I mean, the show must go on." She deadpanned and the three of us laughed.

"Okay, okay, that's enough, can I see my mate now?" Cade said as he moved towards us and pulled me into his arms for a kiss that made me laugh.

"Hi, Alpha Corrigan."

"Hello, Luna Lily. You look breathtaking."

"I'm glad I do."

Turning to where Ren was standing, his smile ever so gentle, I opened my arms wide and sighed when he walked into it, kissing my neck as he hugged me. "Missed you, princess." He murmured, his deep breath reverberating through my body in a way that left me with goosebumps "Aiden and Zac," I said, looking around for them, "where are they?"

Cade looked at Ren to answer and it hackled my suspicions. Ren looked at me and cleared his throat and I knew instantly that something was happening. I was about to push and prod for answers when Aidens sports car pulled into the garage, saving Ren and Cade from being under my scrutiny.

Walking to the car, I smiled when Zac stepped out, his smile wide as he kissed me deeply.

"You look wonderful, mate."

"Thank you, Zac."

I turned to greet Aiden and paused when I saw bloodstains on his burgundy jacket. He didn't look disoriented, not a single gelled back hair out of place and it made me wonder what he was doing that had made him have those stains. He didn't look bothered or even aware.

"What happened? Why are there blood stains on your jacket?" I looked at Zac who immediately decided that it was the right timeto talk to Ren and when my attention went back to Aiden, eyeing him suspiciously, he merely smiled, cupping my face as he planted closed lipped kisses on my mouth.

"Just needed to tie up some loose ends, princess. I don't want you to worry about it, okay? You look divine."

As he led me towards where everyone was waiting so we could proceed to the hall, I decided not to push against it, trusting that whatever it was, Aiden had it under control. He was the new Alpha of Nightshade after all:

We walked into the hall together, Zac and Aiden on either side of me, my hands in theirs and Ren and Cade on their sides and the entire hall quieted when we entered, Rhea, Chase and Chelsea behind us.

All eyes were on us as Zac led me to the large stage where there was a podium with a microphone waiting for me to use.

My speech.

Silence ensued throughout the hall. Even those that had been dancing had stopped to watch.

It was almost funny because at the start of this year, everyone had been out for my blood, ready to deal with the new girl, the omega, the traitor's daughter, who had graced these halls and now, they were doing nothing but paying attention to me, their eyes glowing with respect and adoration... And those that didn't admire me feared me.

It felt wonderful to be queen.

"Welcome, to the annual end of the year dance. All of you know me, but I will introduce myself. I am Luna Lily, the Luna of Gold Crest and Night Shade and Crown princess of Silver Moon and Poison Fang. As a victim of bullying myselt, I cannot even overemphasize the need to extend grace to others. With hunters and humans trying to wipe us from existence, we only have ourselves and we need to look after each other. There will be no bullying of omegas in the academy. There will be no bullying. Period. If I catch wind of it, all involved will pay a steep price. I wish you all a wonderful night."

The applause as Cade helped me down from the stage was resounding and I beamed with pride, thankful for how far I had come. Bullying was a sour topic for me and I was going to use every power I had to eradicate it to the best 1

- can.

The waltz music began to play and my hand tightened around Cade as he led me to the dance floor. I was going to dance with all my mates tonight and it made me feel nothing but excitement.

"I'm so proud of you."He whispered in my ear, placing a hand on my waist, "You have my heart till I die."

"We both know how I feel about you dying," I said as he swept me into a waltz and I tightened my hand around him, staring into his eyes and hoping he knew that I loved him endlessly.

With Cade, who had been forced to grow up faster than most of us, forced to be the perfect child and an even better soldier, it showed in his precise and perfect steps, mechanical and rudimentary, like a well oiled machine. It was easy to follow his steps and his hold on me was so close and at the same time so gentle, like he was afraid to lose me again.

"I love you. You will never lose me." I whispered, watching as his serious expression softened and his kiss made me feel warm. He was my knight in shining armour and I will protect him with everything I had.

When the first song ended, Cade grinned and passed me to Ren who smiled radiantly and twirled me around, pulling me close in a movement so fluid, it was obvious that dancing came very easily to him.

Dancing was almost like breathing for Ren and I was grateful for it because he led me through some of the difficult movements without any hassle. I reminded myself

- to thank Rhea for being persistent about teaching me the more complex moves and even so, it felt easier with Ren because he turned my awkward fumbling into something beautiful and fluid, twirling me around in a way that elicited giggles from me. Ren and I didn't need words. We both knew what we meant to each other. He could read my mind, feel my emotions and his were written clearly on his face, in his movements.

By the time the song ended, I was laughing and breathless, my cheeks flushed as the song changed and Ren passed me to Zac.

"Hello, beautiful." Zac whispered, his hold on me so sensual, my body felt like it was on fire. He molded his body into mine, practically damning the rules of waltzing about limiting physical contact. Dancing with him felt like we were dirty grinding in a club. Spinning me around so that my back was flush against his, I felt his desire as he pressed his pelvis into mine, his hands on my hips as he kissed my neck

"I can't wait to take you home with me tonight." He said close to my ear, his tongue causing my entire body to tighten with need and by the time he passed me to Aiden, I was turned on, hot and panting, going with a promise in his eyes that he would ravish me thoroughly when the night was done.

The music hit a crescendo as Aiden led me to the middle of the room and his hold on me was so tight, his arm around my waist almost impenetrable, like a vice clamp. It didn't hurt me, only reminded me of the dark possessiveness so eminent in his soul, it was bleeding through his eyes. I could see it in his eyes, the same feeling that my eyes mirrored because I loved him just as fiercely.

Months ago, the darkness in his eyes would have scared me, the strength of his arms and control in his movements would have sent me running. But now, I surrendered to him, wholeheartedly trusting him with my life. My heart pounded as he dipped me so low, I thought I would fall, but knew I wouldn't. I would never fall, not when Aiden was holding me.

"Mine, he whispered, his eyes dark and deadly and I nodded.

"Yours."

His lips crashed against mine and he pulled me back up, lips still locked as he kissed me like he was dying and I was his air. The sound of cheering made me smile into the kiss and my heart soared because there was nowhere else I'd rather be.