Mated To The Hybrid Prince - Chapter 85: Chapter 85

(Lily's POV)
I froze.
My breath caught, the ache slicing through my chest like a blade. All I could see was him… Zion.
He was holding my waist tenderly. I quickly stepped away as he let go, my insides twisting violently. I forced my expression into a blank mask, careful not to breathe too loudly.
I was a wreck of emotions.
My eyes flicked past his shoulder, landing on the familiar face behind him.
Lucien.
It had also been five years… He stood tall, a flicker of surprise on his face. He looked more mature, and his ever-famous boyish smile was absent. Clearly, the years had changed him too.
Then he stepped back, as if giving Zion and me a chance to reconnect. I wondered why… Didn't Aunt Lamia’s spell affect him? Wasn’t he in the realm at the time? Does he remember me? Us? My relationship with Zion?
Fear crawled up my spine, but I refused to show it. I lifted my chin and walked past them.
They were strangers to me now… and should remain so.
My mate’s eyes bore into my back, following my every step. I refused to glance back even though everything in me wanted to run into his arms. When I disappeared into the curve of the hallway, I collapsed against the nearest wall.
My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists at my sides. The wall was cool against my back, but it did nothing to calm the fire raging inside me.
I was alarmed, confused, furious… and the hurt of years past came crashing back. Everything inside me felt heavy. I didn’t know what to feel. My chest tightened, and I wanted to scream or cry.
But there was no time to succumb to my emotions. I needed to leave.
I needed to find Aria.
Pushing myself off the wall, I headed straight to the ballroom, weaving past the crowd.
The lights felt too bright, the laughter too loud. My head buzzed, and my heart thundered. Aria was on the dance floor, laughing, her hands tossed in the air, her body swaying to the beat like she hadn’t a care in the world.
I grabbed her wrist.
"We need to go. Now."
She blinked at me, her joy dimming into confusion. "What? Why?"
"He’s here," I whispered, pulling her away. "Zion is here."
Her eyes widened— just for a second. It was too quick, and then she masked it with a look of fake surprise.
I saw through it.
“Lily,” she said quickly, tugging her hand free, “you can’t keep running from the past. Sometimes, the best thing to do is face it."
My mouth dropped open. “Aria, what are you saying? Did you know he was going to be here?” I asked, anger creeping in.
“Dev told me too,” she muttered, avoiding my eyes. I knew she wasn’t telling me everything. Aria was hiding things again, and I was going to find out.
I swallowed, trying to steady myself. “Fine, can we go now?” I grumbled.
She shook her head. “I need to see someone. It's important.” Her cheeks tinted pink.
“Who?”
She looked away shyly and I growled. “You never said anything about meeting anyone. For all I know, I convinced you to come.. You were hesitant and now you want to suddenly meet someone?”
She ignored my statement and changed the subject. “…Uhm, you’ve always wanted to collaborate with Virelux, right? Why not ignore Zion and meet the CEO? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
I sighed, clasping my palms. As much as i’m suspicious about Aria, she was right about this event. It could be my only chance at meeting the CEO. Who knows when another opportunity like this would come?
This should work… After all, Zion doesn't remember me. How bad can it get?
Aria disappeared into the crowd again, while I stood near the edge, trying to make sense of my decision. My eyes searched for Zion, but he was nowhere in sight.
I sighed, a little relieved.
Then a man stepped onto the small stage at the center of the hall. The chatter softened as the spotlight hit him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he cleared his throat. “Welcome once again to this exclusive event. Now, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for…”
A hush fell.
“First, let’s welcome the Chief Operating Officer of the Virelux Corporation, Lucien Moreau.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Aria’s gasp was the loudest, followed by a round of applause from the people.
I didn’t know if she was shocked to see him at the party or surprised that he was Virelux’s corporation’ COO.
Lucien stepped up with practiced ease, his suit tailored to perfection.
He leaned into the mic. “Thank you for being here tonight. It’s a pleasure to meet some of the bright minds and partners who have worked with us behind the scenes. But tonight isn’t just about me. It’s about the brain and force behind the company.”
My stomach knotted.
“Now…” Lucien continued, “please welcome the CEO of Virelux Corporation, Zion Dimitrios.”
Time stood still.
The crowd clapped, but all I heard was the ringing in my ears.
Zion? The CEO of Virelux?
He stepped onto the stage like he was born for it. His tux was immaculate, his posture confident… but his eyes found mine immediately.
I gasped, my hand flying to my chest as the walls seemed to close in.
I staggered back.
Zion was the Billionaire CEO?
Up there, he looked completely different from the boy who used to sneak into my room, kiss me, and make love to me.
He was different… yet sinfully charming, as those blue eyes locked on mine.
I took another step—then crashed into a waiter’s tray of drinks. The glasses tumbled, champagne splashed, and everything shattered.
All heads turned. The music stopped.