The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

ASHANTI'S POV.

The entire pack is buzzing with my name. My pictures are all over social platforms and even on the news. The news spread like wildfire and people are completely bombed by the fact that I'll be attending the Fashion King competition. It was a hassle having to leave the building after the announcement was the made. All entrances were crowded with reporters. The guards had a hard tclearing the way forto pass through.

Even when we got home, there were sreporters flocking around the compound premises but they were immediately sent away by Michael when he arrived. I swear I never expected things to take such a drastic turn. I had suspected that revealing myself after all this twould cause scommotion, but not to this level. The attention I'm getting makesfeel like I'm simportant person in the society whereas I'm not! "Ashanti." Mother calls as she descends the staircase with her cell phone in her hand.

"Yes mother." I look up at her.

"Have you tried reaching Sheila?" She comes to meet Ryan and I in the living room. She has on that worried look she always wears when one of us is not back hat a certain hour. "No. I haven't." "What about you, Ryan?" "I haven't." "Where on earth could this girl be." She laments in a worried tone. She dials a number on her phone and presses it against her ear. After listening for a while, the phone drops from her ear and she groans in frustration. "It's almost midnight. She's supposed to be hby now." "Mum. I'm sure Sheila is fine. She went out with friends, remember." "Why is her phone switched off?' "Apparently..." Ryan chimes in. "She switched it off to avoid this..." He looks at mum. "Your constant check ups. I would have done the same." He turns back to face the TV screen. I seal my lips together to hide my smile.

He's right.

Sheila definitely switched off her phone to avoid mum's multiple incoming calls to ask her whereabouts. I've done that a few times as well. "Young man. Don't you dare use that tone on me. And remember we are not done discussing the issue of you wanting to take a gap year!" "What do you mean?" Ryan asks, turning to look at her again. A little crease forms between his brows as he frowns his cute face.

"You are not taking a gap year!" Ugh! Here we go again.

They've been on this for past one month and everytshe brings it up, Ryana gets upset. He calmly rises from his seat.

"I'm done fighting over this issue with you." "For goodness sake Ryan, you are so smart. You have an excellent CGPA. There's enough money to pay for any university you want to attend. Why do you keep insisting on staying hfor an entire year." "I'm not just going to stay at hfor an entire doing nothing. I need tto decide if I want to get into the medical or engineering field. Also, I'm going with Ashanti to the Lunar Crescent Park for the Fashion King Competition. That's six months of intense training in the craft of Fashion and Design." "God, you are drivingcrazy!" "Likewise you Ma. Likewise you!" He starts ascending the staircase.

Now it's justand her left in the living room.

Just great. It's my turn to receive snagging.

"Can you believe him?" She joinson the sofa. "He's wasting his life away." "No he's not. Give him a break mum. We both know how smart and ambitious Ryan is. He might be just eighteen but he sure as hell knows what he's doing. Chill." I try my best to persuade her. She lets out a heavy sigh of exasperation.

"You kids are drivingcrazy. Sheila now keeps late nights, Ryan wants to drop out of school and you will not accept to date anyone. I'm going to die before my time." "I see what you did there mum. Don't try to turn toright now." "I'm in fact turning to you right now. Alpha Reagan must have heard the news about you. You should expect his summons anytsoon. Or maybe he's going to chere himself." I giggle in disbelief, shaking my head.

"He would never." "What makes you say that?" "It's been two years mum. He definitely has another girl in his life. He's not going to send foror call the way here for me." "You honestly think we wouldn't know if he had another girl in his life? Have you forgotten that man is the Lycan King?" "No I haven't." "So what will you do if he sends for you or if he comes for you in person." "Mum... he's not gonna come." "What if he does?" "Why do you keep insisting?" "Because I wanna know if there's any tiny... you know... itty-bitty chance that you two could get back together?" My brows furrow as I ask; "Where's this coming from?"

"Ashanti." Her tone is calm, but firm. "When you go over there, you're going to have several encounters with Alpha Reagan. Maybe he'll hell try to woo you again. just want to know where you stand." "Mum. I left that pack for a reason and it hasn't changed. I want nothing to do with Alpha Reagan. I'm going to the Lunar Crescent Pack for a one purpose and that's to win the Fashion King Competition. Nothing else."

"I'm happy to hear that. You know the last thing I want is for you to get back together with that man. However, you I love, should also try to find love, my dear. Now that you can live freely and interact with other people, you should meet someone you can start a relationship with. If you want I can introduce you to Kol." "Who the hell is Kol?" I am confused. She shootsa smile that I don't like.

"He's the Beta's younger brother. A cardiologist. He's not only good looking, he's really smart and very successful. The two of you will make a perfect match!" She ends the description with a playful wink that makescringe. I'm not comfortable discussing these things with her.

"Alright mum. I think I'll retire for the day." I kiss her cheeks and rise up from the sofa. "Good night." Her shoulders sag in dismay. The enthusiastic smile on her face fades.

"You children never listen to anything I say!" She laments and I continue my journey towards the staircase in total silence. Thoughts of Alpha Reagan creep back into mind, raising my heartbeats to sky level.

Mum said something about the possibility of him trying to woowhen we meet.

Could that really happen? And if it does, what will be my reaction?