THE LYCAN KING’S SECOND CHANCE MATE

ASHANTI'S POV.

"Ryan." I call drowsily as I step into the kitchen. He looks up from his phone screen and the scowl on his face fades when he sees me.

"You're awake.” His low voice acknowledges. I scoff.

"I wish that was the case." My voice is a raspy mess. I drag myself towards the kitchen island and settle on the stool beside him. My eyes drop to the glass of milk in front of him and it makes me salivate.

I just want you to stretch my hand over and grab the glass of milk and chug it.

"Don't even think about it!" He warns sternly as though he just read my thoughts. "I'll get yours." He says, stepping down from his stool. My face breaks into a tired smile as I say;

"Thank you very much. You're the best brother in the whole wide world!"

Ryan shakes his head and says nothing. I watch him take out a glass from the glass shelf and walk over to the fridge where he opens it, takes out a jar of milk and comes back to meet me at the island.

"You look terrible." He remarks as he pours milk into the glass.

"That's because I didn't get any sleep all night."

"Your eyes say it all. Here." He hands me the glass filled with milk before taking his seat again.

"Thank you." I take a small sip of the milk.

"What kept you awake all night? I know it's not the stress of the ongoing competition."

"How are you so sure?"

"It's not, is it?"

I let out a quiet sigh and chug my milk.

He's right. The competition had nothing to do with my sleeplessness last night. I couldn't sleep because I was worried sick about the fact that news of Selena's return had been leaked. By now, everyone knows she's back and I can't help but be nervous about what they are saying about it.

These are the same subjects who nearly crucified me two years ago when they found out that I was mated to Alpha Reagan. They hated me because I'm an ordinary werewolf and refused to accept me as their Luna. Selena on the other hand is a true blood Lycan. She was born and raised in this pack and the people adored her when Alpha Reagan presented her to them as his mate five years ago. They doted on her. When she died, the entire pack mourned and begged the Moon goddess to bring her back to life.

Now that she is back and they know it, I can help but wonder what their reaction will be. I'm very sure their love for her will be rekindled and they will urge Alpha Reagan to take her back and discard me.

I don't stand a chance.

"Ashanti!" Ryan's voice reverberates in my head and I vibrate in fear when I feel his touch on my shoulder.

"Whoa! Relax sis. It's just me."

An exasperated sigh escapes my chest.

"I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."

"Talk to me Ash. What's wrong?" The concern in his tone makes tears burn at the back of my eyelids. All these ups and downs break my heart so much, it makes me mad.

Why did the Moon goddess have me mated to the Alpha King if she didn't want to give me any chance of having a happy ending with him? Why is our relationship always rocky? Why won't she give us the peace we deserve?

"It's just that people will start

expressing their opinions now that they know about Selena's presence in the pack. They adore her. Meanwhile they could only accept me because Alpha Reagan threatened to hang anyone who spoke ill about me. They will urge him to choose her, not m I lament

painfully, blinking my eyes multiple

times to prevent my tears from

spilling.

I don't want to cry.

"I highly doubt that the opinion of the public can influence Alpha Reagan's decision on who to choose between you and Selena. He's going to do what he wants."

"But they are his people. He listens to them."

"Not when it comes to issues like this. This is his personal life we are talking about. He's going to make the decision that's best for him."

Those words are supposed to comfort and give me assurance, but my worries grow wilder as the seconds tick by. I'm going to die of anxiety soon.

"I'm so scared, Ryan. I swear I was really sure I wanted nothing to do with Alpha Reagan, but ever since he told me about his ex-mate's return have not been myself. Yes, he hurt me and I'm still mad at him, but! love him. I love him with all my heart. He's my soulmate. I cannot do

without him. I really want to be with

him!"

A fat tear rolls down my cheek. My heart feels like it's being chopped into tiny bits of pieces. The thought of losing Alpha Reagan to another woman causes me unbearable pain.

I don't think I'd be able to bear it if he chooses another woman over me.

"Then fight for him!"

"That's the thing. I'm tired of fighting.

I had to do the same with Alina to the point where she lost her life. Now I'm expected to do it all over again with Selena. I don't want that!"

I cry out with a raspy voice. Calmly,

Ryan steps down from his stool and pulls me into a warm hug. don't hold myself back. I cry out all my

frustrations on his shoulder.

I don't want to get into a nasty fight with Selena over Alpha Reagan but I don't want to lose him to her either.

What am I supposed to do in this situation?