THE LYCAN KING’S SECOND CHANCE MATE

ASHANTI'S POV.

"Why not?" Michael asks, confused. "You're his mate, aren't you?"

"I am, but he never treated me as one. Alpha Reagan knew from the first day he set his eyes on me that I was his mate yet he didn't say anything. He let me stay in the Harem and watched me get bullied time and again by the other girls. I've been through so much in his hands and to top it all, his subjects hate me! They'd rather start a war than let me become their Luna. They think I poisoned Alina."

"Not anymore." Mum chimes in and my brain scatters within. I look at her with raised brows and she nods her head.

"I... I don't understand."

“A few days ago, a trial was held and Alina's crimes were exposed. Alpha Reagan provided strong evidence to prove that Alina murdered two adults and poisoned herself in order to kill the baby in her womb and blame it on you. A whole lot of other crimes she committed were exposed and Alpha Reagan gave her a death sentence. She was hanged yesterday. Alina is dead and the Crescent Moon Pack subjects are all ready to go down on their knees and beg for your forgiveness." I am completely dumbfounded after hearing those words.

Alina has been exposed.

Alina has been hanged for her crimes.

Alina is dead.

The pack subjects want to apologise for pointing accusing fingers at me.

I secretly pinch myself very hard and take a moment to appreciate the pain that I feel coursing through the assaulted spot. This is not a dream. This is reality. Alina has finally paid for her crimes. I want to smile, but my mood turns sour again when Alpha Reagan crosses my mind.

It's true that he fulfilled his promise to me by bringing Alina to justice, but I still don't want to get back with him.

I'm his mate, meaning I'm his aqual,

but he has never treated me as such. I don't want to be with a man who'll always want me to be under his wings. I have my own life to live, goals to accomplish. If I go back to I Alpha Reagan, my goals will be nothing but thoughts that will never be able to act upon. I don't want that.

I

"I uh..." I croak. Clear my throat. "I'm truly happy to hear that. It was about time Alina atoned for her crimes. I'm happy Alpha Reagan finally saw to that, but that doesn't change how I feel. I don't want to go back to that pack. Please don't give me to them when they come for me." My teary voice pleads as I look from Michael to my mother with tear-filled eyes.

"Great!" The sound of cutlery clattering against a I plate fills the entire dining room and I shoot Sheila a scared look, "Just great!" SheContent bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

exclaims yet again as she angrily bangs her fist on the table and rises. "First, a complete stranger is

l.ne

brought into our home and now we

can't even eat dinner with...we

it

turning into a pity party." She shoots me a deadly glare that burns right through my face to the back of my head. Her wide eyes scare me to the core. "All thanks to you!" With that, she storms out of the dinner and the tears in my eyes break loose as I look at Michael and my mother who

looked absolutely horrified by her sudden outburst.

"I am so sorry..."

"There's nothing for you to be sorry for." That's Michael. "Well, talk to her. This will not happen again, I assure." Mum gives a warm look that eases the tension in my heart, but when I look down at my plate, I realise I've lost my appetite.

God, my life is a hot mess!

"Do you want more chicken?" A masculine voice interrupts my thoughts and I jump up in fright. I almost faint when I look up and see that Ryan is the one who just asked the question.

“I uh...............” I stutter nervously. He doesn't wait for me to respond, he simply picks up my plate and starts serving me some more chicken curry. I shoot my mother a confused look and she simply smiles at me.

"Here you go." Ryan says as he places the plate of food before me. "Enjoy your meal." Then he turns back to continue with his meal.

I stare at him for long, completely awed by his bipolar nature. I could have sworn a while ago that he hates me, but now, I don't even know what to think.

He's so cool!