Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 70

Lily's POV

"As much as I hate to admit it, I think tall, dark and handsome is not lying to us about not being involved," Chelsea said as we watched him walk away and I nodded. "I think so too."

Rhea took my hand and gave me a gentle smile.

"I hope you're not so scared. We are here for you and we are going to protect you at all costs, okay?"

I had just nodded when the bell rang, signalling that it was time for the next class. My next class was in a building on the other side of the compound.

Chelsea brought out her phone and she looked up at us after scrolling.

"It's Ren that is taking this class with you. Rhea, where is he?"

The mention of Ren's name made my heart skip before I realized that I could not allow that to happen anymore. Not when he had offered me everything and I had thrown it in his face and rejected him. He must hate me now.

Fear and dread seized my heart at that. The thought that he might hate me now. But Ren isn't like that... he won't resent me for not accepting him... right?

"I don't know," Rhea answered, a worried look on her face as she tapped away on her phone while they started walking me to my next class.

"I've been trying to reach him for the past ten minutes but he's not been responding. He knows that he's supposed to be here whenever we are not. What could have happened?"

I happened, I wanted to say but didn't. It would not be surprising if Ren decided that he did not want to be around me anymore, especially after what happened between us in the cafeteria. It made my chest tighten in hurt knowing that I was responsible for it and even though I tried to remind myself that I had done what was best for all of us and that it was not right to want another person's mate, to force him to be woth me, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of regret.

I wanted desperately to take my words back.

But I can't anymore. It's best to pay the price for everyone's peace and just back the f**k. Even if it's at the expense of my happiness.

"I'll be alright by myself if he does not show up." I told them with a smile that was fake as hell but the two of them merely raised their eyebrows, giving me an unconvinced look before Rhea continued tapping away on her phone.

We had just reached the building where I was taking the class when the frown on Rhea's face melted away and she sighed audibly, relief relaxing her features.

"He has replied. He said he is on his way. You sure you can go in and wait for him? Or do you want us to wait with you out here until he comes?"

I shook my head, leaning forward to hug them.

"I'll just go in and secure a seat for myself. Since he will be here soon, there is no need for you guys to be late to your own class."

Nodding, Rhea kissed my cheek while Chelsea hugged me again and I waved at them, knowing that they would not leave until I entered the classroom and when I did, I felt a sudden wave of loneliness as I headed to take one of the empty seats beside the wall. I was just about contemplating whether it was not too forward to keep a seat for Ren when the teacher entered the class and everybody settled in their seats.

Five minutes into the class, Ren strolled in and I could not help it. My eyes moved away from the board to look at him.

His long white hair was messier than usual and covered most of his face, shielding his eyes so that I couldn't really see his facial expression. But there was a metaphoric dark cloud hovering over his head, an exhausted drop in his nonchalant shoulders. I wanted so desperately to talk to him, ask how he was doing. To beg him for forgiveness. To ask him to understand that I was not trying to hurt him.

He didn't glance once in my direction but he must have known where I was because he walked right to where I was seated. A simple look from him and the person seated beside me was scurrying out of the seat and he crumpled down on it, taking out his books from his bag.

I took in his disheveled state, the way he kept running his hands through his hair and how he looked all over the place. He's never anything but calm and put together.

I noticed that some of his buttons were undone, his tie was loose and hair a mess like someone had run their hands through it and that was when my eyes zeroed in on the side of his exposed neck where there was a faint outline of lipstick which was all the evidence I needed to be sure that he had been making out with Mauve.

When his eyes met mine, I looked away, briefly shutting my eyes and fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

I tried my best to calm myself. This is what I want. Everything will go back to normal now. By some luck, we could still remain friends.

But my positive affirmations didn't stop my heart from aching and I forced myself to open my eyes and stare at the board, reminding myself that I had no right to feel this way.

As much as the knowledge that he was with Mauve threatened to tear me apart, there was nothing that I could do but accept that I did not want to be a homewrecker and it was for the best that I allowed two mates to try to sort out their issues instead of stealing him from her. But telling myself all of that didn't numb the pain. It didn't provide me with the solace that I sought.

The bell rang for the end of classes and my eyes widened in surprise when I walked out to see Ren waiting for me outside the building.

He looked less disheveled now which meant that he must have probably gone to the bathroom at some point, I wouldn't know, I zoned out for the rest of the class after seeing him, unable to concentrate on anything else. "Hey." He whispered, walking up to me and I fought the attraction that sizzled between us.

"Hey." My heart was racing, galloping like a herd of wild horses on an open field.

"I'll give you a ride home," He said, his voice, soft as it was but firm enough that it brokered no argument.

I couldn't believe it. "Y-you want to give me a ride home."

My heart. This was more mercy than I expected.

He chuckled easily, his shoulders shaking lightly. I thought I had misheard but when he nodded again to my confused look, biting back an amused smile, I realized that he was indeed asking if he could take me home.

"You rejected me and while it was painful, there doesn't have to be any bad blood between us. We can still be friends that carpool to school and back together can we not?"

I wrapped my arms around my midsection and laughed, relief flooding my veins.

"Is that a yes?" He asked hopefully. "If you're in the mood, we could head to Olga's before I take you home."

I looked around worriedly. "But what about Mauve?" Will she be okay with this? I don't want to encroach on her territory. And it'd be awkward if all three of us rode together.

His smile dropped. His voice became tense. "She'll catch a ride with one of her friends."

Uh... did he forget that she's currently friendless?

"I'll just take the bus."

I hated myself for being responsible for the hope in his eyes deflating and I was about to explain that I wanted the ride but it would be awkward for us when Mauve suddenly appeared, latching on to him and kissed his cheek.

"Hi Lily!" She exclaimed, her eyes bright, before turning back to Ren. "So I found a restaurant for our date tonight and the best part? I have a new dress that I cannot wait for you to see. I promise to make tonight worth the wait."

I took a step back, feeling like someone was carving a hole in my chest.

"Mauve," Ren said, after peeling her from him. He looked at me and tried to shake his head in explanation but it did not matter, did it? This was what I wanted, wasn't it? For them to get back together and actually be a couple for once so why did I feel like collapsing as Mauve linked her fingers through Ren's?

Why did it hurt so much to see them together?

We're not even mates and it hurts so bad. I thought I could handle this. I thought it'd be easier on me since we didn't even share a mating bond.

"Oh, pardon my manners, Lily. I tend to get really excited when I see Ren. Were you guys talking about something?"

"Yes" Ren said at the same time that I said "No."

"Nothing important." I said hastily, smiling what I hoped was the semblance of a genuine smile. "In Fact, I should really be heading home now before it gets late." I said with my best attempt at a smile even though my hands were trembling and my eyes were stinging. I was about to leave when a large arm rested on my shoulder and pulled me in, tucking me into the side of a rigid body that smelled like blood orange and amberketal.

"There you are, duchess. I've been looking everywhere for you."