Bullied Mate Of The Lycan Kings
Chapter 130

Lily's

POV

"You feel like home to me. I've never really had a home."

"I've never made anyone I love happy."

"I need you to love me, Lily. That's all I need."

Aiden's words kept echoing in my ears when I woke up and I wondered if it had really happened or if it was a dream as I looked around and realized that I was alone in the large room.

I didn't want to admit that I hoped it wasn't a dream, choosing instead to stand up and snoop around now that he wasn't around. I was curious about him and at least now that he wasn't here, I could replace out more about him.

I discovered his closet and when I walked in, my breath was taken away because it was not only larger than the walk-in closet that he designed for me, it was filled to the brim with so many clothes, arranged in varying colours.

Coats, shirts, sweaters, pants with beautiful rich fabric, ties and bow ties, belts, wristwatches, scarves, gloves, and even cuff links were arranged impeccably, lining the shelves and racks and I noticed that he preferred his clothes in darker hues; black, navy blue, dark brown and burgundy, and that the styles spoke of how much he was into fashion.

He owned more coats, more shoes, more pants and shirts than I had ever seen in my life, and it looked like his obsession with books was on par with his obsession for clothes and fashion. It made me realize now that he wasn't trying to wow me or buy me with the closet that he had designed for me. Aiden simply enjoyed shopping for clothes.

Walking back out, I stared at the open window, the gist of wind bringing to my attention that not only was I alone but without any chains binding me. Peeking my head out of the door, I saw that there were no guards here either. It means that Aiden was starting to trust me and this would be the perfect time to escape, when his guard was down.

Instead, I decided to look for him. The halls were quiet, cold and dark and unlike before where I would have seen at least one servant or guard, there was no one. It made me feel on edge and I wanted to turn around and go back to Aiden's room because at least there I felt a semblance of comfort.

I pivoted on my heels, turning around to retrace my steps and came to a humbling realization.

I was hopelessly lost.

I had just taken a right turn when an unfamiliar voice that made me stop in my tracks travelled down the hall and I dived into the first room that I could replace and hid under a heavy chaise, holding a hand to my mouth to stop myself from making a sound and hoping the owner of that cold voice would just pass but it was just my luck that the footsteps drew closer and the man walked into the room.

Quick, deliberate steps that echoed throughout the room. I felt Aiden's presence walk into the room too but I couldn't even relax as I heard the door lock behind them.

"Nephew," the smooth, cold voice like silk and jagged ice said and I realized who it was with crippling horror.

Aiden's uncle, Victor Vanderbilt, alpha of Night Shade pack and acting owner of Vanderbilt corp.

The man behind the execution of my father. The man that hurts his own nephew so bad that he can't heal from it.

"It's so good to have you back, uncle." Aiden said but his voice was dripping with sarcasm and if I could pick up on it then of course his uncle did too.

He let out a tired sigh. "I don't have the time for your childish insolence right now," he said and I peeked out from beneath the chaise, curious to see what he looked like.

I don't know what I was expecting. An old, wicked looking man with an eye patch, wrinkled skin, fanged teeth and balding head but he's not... he's not...

He was so goodlooking, I struggled to equate him with the monster that scarred my mate's backs, that punishes his workers for the littlest things. And I realized that it wasn't fair. He was so attractive, he reeled you in and he was a walking example of pretty privilege through and through, wrapped up in his ten thousand dollar Tom Fords and holding an expensive looking walking cane.

"You've been busy lately, haven't you. I've received complaints left and right."

He was taking his time, taking off his cufflinks and rolling up his sleeves as Aiden stood before him, unflinching, almost bored. But now that I knew a little bit more of him, I saw that the bored look on his face was a perfect mask to hide his terror and disdain for his uncle.

"You've been so busy that you attracted the wrong attention. You see, usually, I don't care for your extra curricular activities. Boys will be boys and I know how much you like to break your toys, but even I have to admit that you went too far with this one, Aiden." They were standing face to face. Their stances set as if they were seconds away from engaging in a brawl. Standing facing each other like that, they looked so alike that Victor could pass for Aiden's older brother. The same inky black hair, impeccable style and ruthless gaze in their chilly grey eyes.

He placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder, seemingly comforting but I flinched as Aiden let out a pained growl and I heard the sound of bones breaking as Victor crushed shoulder joint with his bare hands.

"I got word from Sebastian and Paige's parents about what happened to them. Sebastian can never walk again and Paige's nails have been ripped off her fingers. I have every reason to believe that you are the one responsible for their current state." "And what do you want me to say?" Aiden growled through gritted teeth and I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing he wouldn't rile him up more. "That I didn't do it? You know me better than that. They deserved it. After all, I'm only learning from you when it comes to cold cut cruelty."

Livid, Víctor raised his cane and it came down on the side of Aiden's face with a resounding crack that made me wince in pain at the sound of the wooden stick hitting his head.

Blood dripped from Aiden's forehead and when he barred his teeth at his uncle in rage, I recognized it immediately as his response before he does something terrible. Victor must have noticed it too because he swiped the cane at Aiden's side and knocked it into his back right before he kicked him in the back of his knees, sending him sprawling to the ground. "Don't even bother getting up. You know the drill. Stay on your knees, take off your shirt and prepare yourself."

Prepare for what? I asked myself and wished that I had not because Víctor took out a terrifying looking whip from his desk that had me biting my lip hard to stop herself from screaming and as he wrapped the whip around his hand, I realized that he was going to whip him.

Again.

"When will you ever stop being such a burden and disappointment to me, Aiden?"

"Cut the theatrics and stop pretending that you are not doing this for your own sick pleasure. So get on the f**k with it and stop wasting my time. There is something important that I would like to get back to and you're wasting my goddamn time." Aiden said with a bitter sneer that I also recognized as his signature look and I was shaking my head as if he could see me begging him to not anger his uncle even further as if that would somehow stop what I knew was about to happen.

Victor gripped his chin and when he gave Aiden a seemingly affectionate gaze I wanted to truly believe that he would reconsider but there was nothing affectionate about his grip because Aiden winced in pain as blood dripped from his lips Victor gripped his chin and when he gave Aiden a seemingly affectionate gaze I wanted to truly believe that he would reconsider but there was nothing affectionate about his grip because Aiden winced in pain as blood dripped from his lips Coercion, I realized. Victor was using his powers as alpha on Aiden.

"You are weak, pathetic and you would have died a long time ago if you did not have me looking out for you. Whether you like it or not I am your last remaining family. Believe what you want but I don't do this because I like to hurt you. No on the contrary, I do it because I love you and want to make sure that you are corrected."

And before Aiden could even reply, he lashed him twice on his back, the slap of the whip echoing throughout the room and I realized that I had bitten my lip so hard to keep from screaming that I was now bleeding.

Aiden let out an anguished howl, his shadows appearing and taken the shape of a thousand sharp spikes pointing at his uncle. His uncle didn't even look dazed by the fact that he was literally surrounded by shadow spikes that I was sure was deadly. "Go on, Aiden," he urged, c*****g his head, a mocking glint in his eyes. "Kill me. Lose the one family that has always stood by your side even when your own parents wanted to discard you when they couldn't take it anymore. You nearly killed your own mother at birth so it should not be so hard to do it." He said in a patronizing tone that made me want to hurl and for once I knew that if Aiden went through with it I would not blame him but he remained where he was, trembling with his head bowed and tears rolling down his cheeks, unable to do it.

Suddenly annoyed, he kicked Aiden hard in the ribs. "Do it!" Kick. "Do it!" Kick. "Kill me!" He was grinning wide now, amusement dancing in his eyes as he kicked Aiden over and over again.

Why won't he fight back? Why won't he kill him? He can do it. He can kill him if he wants. And this house must be twisting my morals because here I was, rooting for him to kill his own uncle. He deserves it. He can do it.

"I- I can't-" Aiden coughed, rising on all fours, his limbs trembling with the weight of his body. "I can't do it."

"That's what I thought." Víctor scoffed and backhanded Aiden, sending him sprawling.

"Get up, you pathetic worm and accept the punishment for your actions like a man."

I watched in horror as Aiden got into position again. This time, he didn't try to fight back as the whip came down on his back. I watched every blow he took, every flinch he made, every sound he uttered, unable to look anymore I closed my eyes hard, tears streaming down my cheeks but that didn't block out the horrible sounds and Aiden's grunts.

I had once thought that I would be delighted to see this, I thought that I'd be glad that Aiden had a much worse life than I could have ever imagined, a life that was even worse than mine, but all I felt right now was pain on his behalf.

The worst thing for me was the cold, dead look in Aiden's eyes as he wiped away his tears and took the blows. I realized with fear that no matter how bad I thought Aiden was before, the possibility that he could become so much worse the longer he stays under his uncle's care was even greater. And it terrified me. It terrified me more than I could ever imagine.