Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 129

Aiden's

pov

If someone had told me days ago that I would be sitting beside Lily on my bed and trying to feed her and that she would be willingly swallowing the spoonfuls of broth that I was giving to her I would have laughed and called them a bloody liar right before I killed them on the spot for daring to make me hope.

But here I am and here we are. She had all the chances to leave with Ren this morning, but she hadn't taken them. She agreed to stay instead until she got better... with me.

Ren's presence did wonders to improve her health. I promised myself that I wouldn't think of the fact that the sheets now smelled of the both of them, that Lily constantly bares her heart and her body to him. All that mattered to me was that she was alive and she was going to be fine.

"I don't know why you're going through all of this stress to feed me when we both know that I'm just going to throw up again." Lily said with a frown and when I merely smiled and gestured for her to open her mouth so that I could give her another spoonful of broth, she huffed and glared at me but it was a weak glare and my little smile turned into a grin at how adorable she was.

Her hair was up in a messy bun and it was a look that I had never seen on her before but absolutely loved. It felt intimate to see her like this and it didn't even matter that she was wearing Ren's clothes anymore or that she was mated to him. I was more than grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with her.

"Just one more spoon and I'll leave you alone."

"Yeah, right. You said that five spoons ago, you dirty liar"

Fighting the urge to chuckle as she tried to swat away my hand, I waited until she opened her mouth and somehow, after several minutes of grumbling, death threats and theatrics on my part because it felt like I was feeding an adorable baby that could speak, she was able to eat everything and I was happy because I knew that even if she threw up, some of the food would stay down.

Next, I took my time to towel the exposed parts of her body with a wet rag like the healer had instructed me to do to reduce her fever and when I placed the back of my hand against her forehead and it was cool to touch, i heaved a sigh of relief. "Your fever has broken and you have some colour in your cheeks. Well done, love."

"You shouldn't be doing this, Aiden. I'm sure you have a maid that will help you to do these things and I'm sure you have better things to do than sit here and play nurse." She grumbled and I took her hand in mine, gently caressing it as I quietly whispered words that I was worried she might not receive well.

"I like taking care of you."

She looked speechless and I was about to drop something very fucking stupid to fill the sudden silence that followed my confession when all of a sudden she shook her head and withdrew her hand from mine, rubbing her face with a sigh. I'm sorry, Aiden."

Confused and worried that she was apologizing because I had gone and done something wrong again, I looked at her. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Gods, no. I'm so sorry for being such a handful. I can't stop thinking about how I came between you and Ren. You couldn't get the help you needed when you were hurt and I took the one person that you allowed to be close enough to heal you away. You don't like being treated by other people and you had to stay hurt for longer."

Tears started steaming down her face almost immediately and she angrily wiped her face as she continued.

"i keep thinking about that night at dinner when you got hurt and those scars, my God-"

Gods, I can't believe I have ever hurt someone as sweet as her. The urge to sweep her into my arms was so overwhelming and I feared that I would scare her away so I swallowed as I reached for her slowly.

Hand hanging midair, I waited for her to refuse my touch, to yell at me and recoil in revulsion but instead, she leaned into my hand, her cheek resting in my palm and that small action made my heart beat even faster. "You don't have to be sorry, Lily."

"Yes, I do. I didn't know how lonely you were without your best friends by your side. I don't think you even realize it either-"

My chest tightened to see how much pain she was in blaming herself for something that was not even her fault. How do I tell her that I don't deserve it. I don't deserve it. Her thoughts about me, her careful consideration, I deserved nothing from her.

"None of this is your fault and if there is anyone to be blamed for any of that, it's me for acting like a jerk to you. Ren had tried to warn me off but I didn't listen until it was too late. You don't need to apologize to an a*****e like me, I should be the one apologizing for all that I have put you through."

We shared a quiet moment together before Lily raised the edge of her blanket, and patted the space beside her gently.

"You look tired. I've been hogging your bed and attention all day and I'm starting to feel weird. Join me?"

I didn't need much persuasion and as I climbed into my bed that smelled like her and Ren and settled under the blankets, my heart started racing faster as she snuggled up against me.

I was so afraid of touching her, so worried that I would not be able to stop myself from ravishing her so my hands laid limply as she rested her head against my shoulder.

Nyx was practically running wild in my head, urging me to grab her, to take her, to fu-

"Can I ask something?"

I jerked. "Anything you want, Lily"

"Why are you so averse to the idea of getting healed by other healers?"

I froze, picking at a lint on my pants, because this topic was one that I dreaded remembering.

But maybe telling Lily about me would only bring us closer.

But maybe telling Lily about me would only bring us closer.

"The circumstances surrounding my birth... a lot of people saw it as a bad omen. I had been born on a starless night that prophesied impending disaster for not just me but the entire pack as well, so it was easy to believe that I was bad news. Add that to the fact that I was born with a special wolf whose powers manifested earlier than it should and turned out to be too dark and volatile and people rallied around to agree that letting me live was a mistake and that I was destined for destruction. The first assassination attempt on my life was when I was a little over five."

Lily gasped and linked her hand through mine and for some reason, it tethered me to the present, making it easier for me to continue.

"I was very sick and the healer that was supposed to make me better tried to kill me instead. I remember feeling like I was being strangled as the healer slowly drained my life force, telling me that creatures like me shouldn't be allowed to live. My parents found out when it was too late and a lot of black magic was used to not only bring me back to life but also to protect me from future attempts on my life. Because of the spells, I can't be killed by just anyone... except my mate."

Hazel green eyes widened at that.

"It didn't bring me the peace they thought it would, especially because other people tried to kill me after that. Since then, I haven't allowed another healer to touch me. I think I developed a phobia. With Ren, it's different. I trust him with my life. He's my brother. My best friend."

The steady rise and fall of Lily's chest made me realize that somewhere along the line she had fallen asleep and it made me feel warm inside that she trusted me enough to fall asleep in my arms. As I held her in my arms, I felt amazed by how I was able to hold something so precious and not break it and when she readjusted, her face moving up to my full view and her little mouth in a soft pout, I fought the urge to kiss her.

"I feel so complete with you in my arms" I whispered, cupping her cheek. "You feel like home to me. I'm afraid to have you by my side because I've never made anyone I love happy. You make me want to hold on. My love, my life. I need you to love me. That's all I need."

Gently stroking her hair, I settled for a kiss on her forehead and smiled when she moved even closer to me, seeking warmth.

I don't know how long we stayed like that. We could have stayed like that for eternity and I wouldn't have minded. The door suddenly opened and when I looked up to see who it was, Maya was wearing a grim expression on her terror stricken face. "Aiden," she bowed and said those words that made my blood run cold.

"Your uncle has returned. And he requests your presence in the study."