Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 88

Ren's POV

Lily: Mayday! Mayday! This is a code red situation!

I chuckled, looking at my screen and shot back my text.

Me: What's up?

Lily: Mr Fidiott's test this morning. I'm solving all the questions I wasn't sure about and I'm stuck on one.

Me: let me see.

Lily: Solve for x in the following equation: 3(2x+4)-2(x-5)=7(3x-2)+10

I tapped my pencil on my chin, solving the equation and arriving at my answer in my head.

Me: Take your time to simplify the equation first, combine like terms, and isolate the variable to find the value of x.

Lily was quiet for a few minutes before her next message came in.

Lily: I... I can't believe I didn't even attempt this. It's easier than I thought when you explain it like that.

Me: it's fine. You're probably just burntout out from all the stress. Take your time and don't be so hard on yourself.

Lily: Thank you, Ren. For everything. I mean it.

I know. God, I know, Lily.

Lily and I had settled into a routine where I have a driver pick her up from Bia's place and drive her to school. At school, I accompany her to all of her classes. I couldn't stand being seperated from her when we were in the same vicinity. My wolf was getting attached to her faster than I had anticipated.

Things were quiet at school, rumours of what we had done those behind the leak spreading throughout the entire school.

After Aiden and Zac were done with Sebastian, it was difficult to tell if he'd ever walk again, even with the help of my healing powers. They were good at breaking, I was better at fixing and together, we worked like a well oiled machine. But at times, when they got too carried away with breaking their toys and I had no qualms with stopping them, only time could fix their unfortunate victims.

I had left Aiden's house that night, exhausted and depleted. Zac had been concerned about how I was holding up, since my powers made me more empathetic than I usually was, but I was starting to find out that when it comes to Lily, I didn't care about seeing the brighter side of others, the bigger picture. Anyone that hurts even a hair on her head has to pay with their blood and that was something I could find common ground on with the guys.

I had been so exhausted from using my powers so much that I was knocked out for the whole of the next day with Rhea having to check on me for dinner.

Lily's birthday was in a few days and I decided to worry less about the issue of her finding her mate on that day and worry more about ensuring that she had a good birthday.

After a few more texts between Lily and I, I was able to settle down to make a call to Bia and she picked on the first ring.

"If it isn't prince charming himself." She answered, her voice light and playful and I couldn't help but smile at how excited she always seemed to be.

I liked Bia most especially because her personality was the type that I knew Lily needed. Someone that was bright and filled with energy that was not tainted. She didn't care much about the polítics of Shadow cove and was not afraid to stand up for her friend whenever necessary.

As for her werewolf hunting boyfriend, I guessed that I would just have to keep an eye out for him and ensure that he did not have anything that he was planning against us.

"Okay, we have approximately fifteen minutes to have this conversation before she's all up in my space again." She said, her voice, low and urgent and she listened attentively to the plan I had for Lily's birthday. A weekend getaway at one of our private islands. "Oh my God, you're brilliant!" Bia squealed, absolutely loving the idea.

"You think so?"

"I know so. Just look at what home girl has been through since she started at the academy. A vacation is exactly what she needs. What you both need. Even if it's a short one. And a yacht?" She squealed. "You get extra points on my chart if you smuggle me along with the both of you."

My parents had agreed to lend me their yacht next weekend and I wanted to take Lily on a trip with it. If she wanted us to go with her friends too so that she would be more comfortable, I didn't mind that at all.

I proceeded to ask her questions about what Lily would like and prefer, if she was seasick and what she liked to eat.

"Obviously, she'll need sunscreen. Loads of sunscreen. She's not too bold about wearing a bikini yet, so do away with those in her wardrobe. She learned to swim last summer, so you don't have to worry about her falling overboard or anything. She's not allergic to anything I know of, except silver. See what I did there?" She joked.

I rolled my eyes, chuckling under my breath as I took notes. I wanted everything to be perfect this weekend. I want Lily to let her hair down and really breathe for what would feel like the first time in a long time. Time away from Shadow Cove would be good for her. By the time I was done with the phone call, I felt lighter and it had been decided that I would take Lily on a short trip to one of his parents' islands during the weekend, immediately after her birthday party on Friday.

It would be a surprise and Bia on board with the idea really put my mind at ease. It was the least I could do for her especially after the brutal week she has had.

I thought back to the leaks, her vandalized home, the immunity the captives had against my powers.

For once, I had felt blind. Deaf and it was unsettling to say the least even though mind reading was just a small but crucial aspect of my powers.

My blood ran cold at the thought of something happening to Lily when I wasn't around her.

Shaking my head to rid myself of thoughts, I decided to focus my attention on homework and was pleasantly surprised when Lily texted me to help her with more math homework. Maybe it didn't mean as much to her but I was more than delighted that she could come to me with her problems and that I could help her solve them.

I was so proud of her ability to even be focusing on her homework and trying to get ahead with her life after the week that she had just had. Life was so cruel and even with that, she was not giving up. I was happy that I was able to assist her and I was ready to do much more than that but at the end of the day, I was trying to take things slow and not rush her into anything. It was hard but I was ready to do anything for her.

I was just about to call her, itching to hear her voice when a message came in from Mauve and the smile on my face dropped as I remembered that I had actually made plans for tonight.

Tonight, I was going to officially reject Mauve and I had summoned one of the elders, a healer and a witness to oversee the ceremony.

Of course, I could easily just reject her when it was just the two of us but the last thing I wanted was her blood on my hand with zero witnesses and alibis.

I had lied to Mauve to get her here because I knew that if she had any idea what I was planning to do, she would do whatever it took to get out of it.

I couldn't have that.

In the beginning, when we had nothing but mutual attraction thanks to the mating bond, I had wanted to make things work and I had really thought that with time, love would blossom between us.

Now, I realize how delusional I was to think that I could change her. That I could make her love me.

It took me falling in love with Lily to realize what a twisted, toxic cycle I was in. A cycle I am never going back to.

There was a light knock on my door and I looked up, realizing that I had been staring at my laptop screen, deep in thought, to see my mother, Ariel, walk into the room, dressed in an impeccable white pants suit, her white cropped hair looking lush and bouncing on her shoulders.

Rising to my feet, I met her halfway, engulfing her in a hug that made me sigh and remember how I used to be the smaller one back then, my head resting against her belly when she hugged me. Now I towered over her. "Hello, mother."

"My son," She said with a bright smile and when we sat at the edge of the bed, she reached out to caress my hair affectionately, the same way she used to do when I was little. Immediately, the burden of tonight's event didn't seem so heavy anymore. Growing up, it had been difficult to accept her open affection for me since my own mother couldn't care less whether I lived or died but now, I welcome it gladly.

"I just want to tell you that the elders have arrived and all that is left is for Mauve to show up."

Even though her words came out lightly like she was talking about something mundane, I could see how her body had stiffened when she spoke and I knew that she didn't approve of It. Of even considering rejecting my mate.

But whether or not anyone thought of this, even if it was my dear mother, I was going to end things with Mauve tonight.

My happiness was counting on it.