The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

ASHANTI'S POV.

DAYS LATER.

I'm seated in the backseat of an expensive car, adorned with expensive jewellery and dressed in an outfit Lizzy forcedto wear even after I showed the dress I had picked out for myself. At the end of the argument, I grew exhausted and let her do anything she wanted because it's not a party I'm thrilled to attend anyway. Alpha Reagan is seated by my side in the moving car, probably lost in his thoughts and I'm happy because he's not trying to make small talk with me. I'm his date for this party and that means a lot. He's going to showto his subjects, the other Alphas and everyone else that I'm the woman he has chosen to spend the rest of his life with and I should be excited about that, but I feel the complete opposite of excited. I'm dreading this moment. The last place I want to be right now is beside him.

After the incident that took place in his bedroom the other day, I have not said a word to him. He forcefully kissed me. He ripped my clothes apart and forcedto sleep with him against my will. In other words he rapedand right now, every bit of tolerance I have in my heart for him has vanished. I hate him and I'm going to leave him whether he likes it or not! "We're here." His calm voice announces as the car comes to a halt. I don't turn to look at him, my eyes stay glued to the window pane by my side as I watch the ignited surroundings of the building we're supposed to go into. Everyone walking around has stopped in their tracks and the guards are rushing towards our car to form a line along the path that leads to the banquet hall.

"Ashanti." Alpha Reagan calls. I don't answer. I don't turn to look at him. "Ashanti." He calls yet again and this taround, I whip my head in his direction with a frown plastered on my face.

"What?" I ask in a harsh whisper. His face falls and see his chest rise and fall as he lets out short heavy breaths. "Are you ever going to forgive me?" "No! I won't!" I look away from him and I'm saved from another question of his when my side of the door is held open by a guard dressed in a black suit who has his head bowed down. I quickly step out of the car and stand up straight tall. It's just a matter of seconds before Alpha Reagan joinsand all the guards and everyone around bow down their heads to us.

According to what Alpha Reagan told me, everyone now knows that I'm his fated mate and their respect forhas doubled, but I honestly don't care.

Just for the show of it, I gently lock my right hand around his left arm and walk by his side as we're being led into the banquet hall by three of his guards. The moment we step into the hall, the chatter stops and everyone rises to their feet and bows to us. Alpha Reagan replies their gesture with a handshow that indicates they should all look up and he turns to look at me. I cringe when he leans close to my neck and his hot breath fans my skin.

"There are a few people I'd like to talk to before heading to the high table." He whispers in my ears and I shoot him a scowl.

"I need you to stay here for a moment and wait for me." That statement catches my attention. I look at him abruptly. "And don't even think of trying to do anything stupid. Take a look around this hall." I don't want to, but I do it anyway. "This entire hall is crowded with guards who are well aware of your flight tendencies and all their eyes are on you right now. You won't even make it to the door without being caught." And he's right. The entire hall is thick with guards. The banquet entrance is just the worst! I won't stand a chance. "You've made your point clear." I snap. He smiles.

"Good. I don't want to treat you like a prisoner, so be a good girl and don't maketreat you as one. Stay still and I'll join you soon." He leans closer and plants a warm kiss on my right cheek. "I love you." And with that, he gives a signal to the three guards who accompany him to wherever it is he's going.

Out of curiosity, my eyes take another tour of the hall, hopelessly wishing the guards could have vanished so I can make my move, but they seem to have doubled and all their eyes are on me. It'll be a miracle if Alpha Reagan doesn't cand meetin a liquid state from having melted under the heated gazes of his scary guards. I swallow dryly and grab a glass of whiskey from the tray of a passing servant.

I down the entire glass in one go and set the glass on a nearby table where there are women simply ogling atand making disgusted faces. I don't care.

Another servant with a tray walks by and I steal another glass, but this taround I don't chug it because Alina shows up out of nowhere. My mood turns sour. "Well, well, well..." She starts to talk but I cut her off.

"Isn't that line getting old? You say that everytwe meet unexpectedly. It's getting boring. You should cup with another opening line, don't you think?" I ask, keeping a pretty face and she smiles despite the anger I see brewing in her eyes.

"You're still as tough as ever. I thought all these problems here and there would make you a bit vulnerable, but I guess I was wrong." She sounds disappointed and I'm not even surprised.

"Alina I don't want to talk to you, why don't you just move along and leavethe hell alone?"

"Sure. If that's what the Luna wishes." She bows curtly and takes a step forward to walk past me, but the moment she's close she intentionally ment knocks the glass of wine in my hand towards my body and it spills on my dress. I shriek in fright and jump backwards, unintentionally letting go of the glass that drops on the floor and shatters into pieces. With both hands raised and eyes and mouth wide open, I gasp in horror as I watch the wet and stained spot of the blue dress I'm wearing.

"Oh My goodness Ashanti... I'm so sorry about that!" Alina shouts out, getting the attention of the others. Unexpectedly, she takes out her handkerchief and starts wiping my body as though her spilling the wine on my body wasn't intentional. I stay frozen, staring at her in total disbelief as she frantically daps the wet spots on my body with the handkerchief as though she is sorry for her action, which I know she's not. The more she touchesand mutters her fake apology, the more irritated I get and when I've had enough, I snap.

m "Alina! Get away from me." I scold in fury and push her only slightly, but the queen staggers backwards as though pushed her with all my might and plops to the ground on her butt and lets out a painful cry of agony. "I have no idea what it is you're doing after causing this whole mess, but just leavealone!" I shout at her. X