Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 18

Lily's POV

Bia was probably joking when she called Ren mine, the way she jokes about everything else. But there had never been a time when that thought had made me feel like I wanted it to be true until Mauve interrupted Ren and I where we were talking. She launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck and turned his face mid conversation with me, kissing him deeply on his lips.

A large burst of hurt bubbled in my stomach. Sharp tears sting my eyes and I looked away until they were done, clearing my throat awkwardly as the kiss turned deeper and more serious, Mauve moaning into the kiss, her fingers locking into his hair. After what seemed like a thousand years, she released him and leaned into him. She linked her fingers through his as she kissed him on his cheek and smiled hard at him.

They looked so perfect, it really hurt to look at them. The King and queen of the school would be a perfect way to refer to them. Like ice and fire, their white and red hair even seemed to complement each other. They were both beautiful, regal and exuded so much elegance.

"Hey babe." Mauve whispered in his ear, kissing his earlobe so sensually, my face felt hot like I was witnessing something that I was not supposed to.

Ren frowned at her, looking equally surprised by her greeting but he didn't push her away. I don't even know why I was expecting him to push her away to be honest. They were after all boyfriend and girlfriend and fated mates at that. Right now I was just the girl that was standing and watching them awkwardly because I obviously did not belong here.

Now more than ever I regretted even coming here and listening to Mauve even though I was sure that she had the best intentions for me. No one had bullied me since she ordered them not to and I appreciated her gesture of solidarity at having me dine here with them.

I could not even be jealous of the fact that she was the one standing beside Ren. I was way out of his league and he would never even look at me if she was not in the picture so why did it still hurt despite knowing all of that?

Why did I feel this sudden wave of envy from just watching them stand side by side even though I had noticed the way Ren's shoulders had tensed immediately at her arrival or perhaps I was reading into it too much, searching for holes, for flaws because the two of them looked too perfect.

Mauve kissed the corner of Ren's mouth and that was the final straw that made me decide that I was no longer interested in staying at this table and torturing myself, whether she had invited me or not.

"I guess I'll just be on my way now." I said and the two of them said no at the same time, and then looked at each other in surprise. It didn't look like they had said it for the same reasons.

Mauve's hands tightened around Ren's as she leaned into him.

"So, Lily, tell us, I'm really interested in knowing everything about you. You came to the academy on scholarship right?" Mauve asked.

I nodded, already feeling embarrassed by the question but Mauve's smile made me stay. She was just curious about me, right?

"Oh you poor thing. It must have been really hard for you, I mean after the death of your father of course. I heard you guys lost almost everything after he passed and are now struggling, is that true?" "Mauve" Ren said, eyeing Mauve with an icy glare.

She pouted. "What? Don't you want to know more about her? She's going to be my friend so I want to know all I can about her, don't you think so, Lily?"

Friends? With the queen bee of the school? It seemed almost as unreal as my entire relationship with Cade back at Gold crest.

"You don't have to answer that, Lily. Mauve can be really blunt sometimes." Ren assured me and even though I smiled, I could not help the jealousy that I felt when she grinned at him and playfully hit his chest. "Oh, Ren knows me so well, don't you, baby? But this is not about me, this is about Lily. I mean, it must have been awful to lose your father, even if he was a traitor."

I flinched at that word, having to bite my tongue and stop myself from insisting that he wasn't.

"I mean," she continued. "I didn't ever know mine, he died a long time ago but you practically grew up with him and after what he did, you're having no choice but to wear rags and worn out shoes and..."

"Mauve." Ren cut her short and even though I could see the sympathy in Mauve's eyes, all I felt was shame as I looked down at myself because she was right.

After my father died, most things were confiscated and even mum now had to work too hard to make ends meet because all the job offers were limited thanks to my father's reputation.

I was not like Ren or Mauve who could afford the nicest clothes or shoes. I would never be like them, so I didn't even know why I was here, or why I had agreed to follow Mauve here because everyone else in this part of the cafeteria was born with a silver spoon. I wasn't but we were okay until father was executed and then we went from grace to mud.

Ren frowned at Mauve but when he turned to look at me, there was a gentle smile on his face.

"Clothes and shoes don't matter, alright? I honestly had no idea what happened after your dad... you know. My sister loves to shop. I could get her to go shopping with you."

"Oh, come on, Ren, I'm sure Lily doesn't want to feel like a charity case " She said gently, patting his cheek before she turned to face me.

"Bless his sweetheart, Ren is a superhero. Did you know that we have been together for four years now? And I still cannot get over how kind, sweet and thoughtful he is, always ready to help others even at his own detriment sometimes. Let me even show you what he got me." She said the last part with so much excitement, people around us looked to see what was going on.

And then she stretched out her left hand towards me and my eyes immediately caught the beautiful ring made from emerald gem glinting at me.

"Isn't he the sweetest? He gave me this ring as a sign of our commitment and promise to be with each other forever and emerald happens to be my favorite jewel. I know I've said this before but thank you, baby. So much." She leaned in to kiss Ren's cheek and I forced a smile on my face even though my heart was hurting.

"I'm truly happy for you. I mean it," I said with a tight smile, lying through my teeth. "Nice people deserve each other."

At least I meant that one.

And before either of them could respond, I walked away from them, needing to sit for a minute and get myself together before fleeing for the library.

Unable to stop myself, I glanced in the direction where they had been standing and saw an annoyed Ren pulling Mauve away, talking sternly to her.

I hope I haven't come in between them again. I may have to cut down on how much I interact with Ren. I don't want him having problems with his girlfriend because of me.

Sighing, I pulled out a chair and was about to sit down at the table when someone suddenly growled, enraged. "What the hell are you doing here?"

I flinched. My heart stopped for all of one second.

That voice. I squeezed my eyes shut. I know that voice.

How could I have such shitty luck and such a dumbass brain? Of course he'd be here. He was a royal after all.

I knew who it was before I even looked up. Aiden was staring at me, his gorgeous face twisted into a livid sneer, anger in those beautiful eyes.

There was a girl sitting on his lap and kissing his neck. Yet his hateful grey eyes were locked on mine.

There was sudden silence in the cafeteria and when I looked around, I saw that everyone was looking at us. At me.

I could feel the noose tightening around my neck.

I took a step back, looking around at the unfamiliar faces that were having a front row seat of my utter humiliation. The whispers, the snickers, the eyes, the glares. Sweat dribbled down my face as I tried to still my shaking hands. I was hyperventilating now and my lungs were constricting like crazy in my chest. It felt like I was trying to breathe through a tiny straw.

I just want to crawl into a hole and die.

When he didn't get an answer, he visibly became even more enraged. He shoved the girl off his lap, not caring when she hit the ground with a resounding thud. And then, he rose to his feet, venom and rage in those stardust eyes of his. He slammed a fist on the table, splintering it with his raw strength.

"I asked a f*****g question!" He roared, breathing hard and looking at me with so much hate like he could kill me right now. "What the hell are you doing here, Beauregard?"