Mated To The Hybrid Prince - Chapter 71: Chapter 71

(Zion's POV)
Lily ran.
I stood frozen for a second as Celeste's words echoed in my head. "I am pregnant for the Crowned Prince."
And then there were cheers, applause, whispers... all melted into a blur as all I saw was Lily, her face twisted in hurt as she turned and bolted from the hall.
My heart stopped.
“Lily!” I shouted, already moving.
But Celeste grabbed my wrist. “Zion, what are you—”
I yanked free and whirled on her, grabbing her arm roughly. I didn’t care that we were still on the podium, or that the entire people were still watching.
“What the hell was that?” I hissed.
She didn’t flinch. “I just told the truth.”
“What truth? You told a lie!” My voice trembled with fury. “What game are you playing, Celeste?!"
She tilted her head and smiled faintly. “You really don’t remember that night at the palace, do you? The night I knocked at your door?"
I blinked. My breath caught.
“I told you to leave. I locked the door in your face.”
“Maybe. But are you sure? Was that all that happened?” she whispered.
My hands dropped from her, my mind racing... I remembered that night; it was the night I had a misunderstanding with Lily about her choosing who she wanted between me and Lucien. Then Celeste showed up afterwards at my door, and I told her to leave. I know I locked the door... so what?
The pictures flashed in my mind... Wait, there was another knock. A third knock that night, and I had opened the door, thinking it was Lily.
But instead, a strange smell hit my nose, followed by a splash of cold liquid across my face.
Then— nothing. I blacked out.
When I woke up the next morning, I felt drained. My limbs were heavy, and my head ached. The sheets were stained with semen, and for a moment, I thought I’d had a strange dream with Celeste. There were soft touches, warm pressure around me, sensations I didn't ask for or consent to. Her mouth was on me... and I couldn't move, couldn't stop it.
And Ragnar had been out cold too. He didn’t stir, didn’t growl. It was like he was non-existent... I shook the thought away, looking around me. There was no one beside me, just the faintest vanilla scent in the air. It all must've been a dream... or maybe it wasn't.
"Oh noooo," I gasped in horror, staggering back as my legs gave way.
Had I really slept with Celeste? What had she done to me?!
This wasn't the time. I needed to find Lily...
I ignored Celeste's malicious smirk and leapt off the stage, tearing through the hall in so much pain.
I'd seen Lily run toward the classroom blocks.
I burst through the entrance and scanned the hallways, but it was void of her.
“Lily!” I yelled.
Then I saw two figures ahead; Dev and Tobe, standing stiffly outside a door.
They saw me, and from their death glares, I knew the old hatred had returned.
“Where is she?” I asked, panting.
Dev stepped forward. “Why? So you can break her again?”
“I didn’t do anything!”
Tobe scoffed. “Just save it. She trusted you. We trusted you!”
“I was drugged!” I snapped. “Celeste set me up! I don’t even remember everything that happened that night, but it wasn’t real. None of this was supposed to happen.”
They didn’t budge. I moved closer, ready to force my way through when the door opened...
Aria stepped out. Her eyes were cold, her voice sharper than usual. “She doesn’t want to see you, Prince Zion."
I froze.
"Please."
Aria ignored my plea. “She’s only staying back to get her certificate,” she said. “And after that, you'll do well to leave her alone.”
I clenched my fists. “I’m not giving up on her.”
“Just go!" she snarled. "Nobody wants you here."
My jaw tightened as I turned and walked away, nails digging into my palm to keep me from exploding.
Back at the hall, the celebration roared louder than before. Celeste was laughing with my parents.
Her parents, Lord Adonis and Lady Beauty, hovered nearby with pride. My mother was already stroking her belly, and my father was beaming like he’d just won a war.
“I hope it’s a boy like Zion,” my father smiled.
“I say a girl like Celeste,” Lady Beauty replied with a laugh.
“Oh, I’ll spoil this child so much,” my mother added. “It'll be my first grandchild!"
Zelda just sat among them, quiet. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.
I stood at the edge, seething.
Then I heard it.
“I would suggest that we begin the wedding plans as soon as possible,” Lord Adonis said.
“Oh yes,” my father agreed. “A royal union will stabilize everything perfectly.”
I stepped forward.
Celeste saw me coming. Her eyes sharpened, and before I could say a word, she clamped her hand over my mouth.
“We’ll be right back!” she said cheerfully. “My Prince and I need to have a quick chat.”
She dragged me away with a smile still plastered on her face.
Once we were out of sight, I shoved her hand off me.
“Are you insane? What did you do to me?” I barked.
She shrugged, calm as ever. "I simply did what I had to do to get you back. Like I've told you, you’re mine forever."
“You’re the most hateful, evil woman I know," I spat with venom, clenching my fists. "Tell you what, I’ve never loved you and never will.”
“Then neither will Lily,” she suddenly snapped. “If I don't have you, no one else will.”
I stared at her, disgusted at who she's become. "You're delusional! Lily is my mate and we're going to be together whether you like it or not."
"Let's see how that happens," she cried, almost sobbing now.
I turned to leave, when I spotted someone standing at a distance.
Kade.
He was watching us icily.