The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate (Ashanti)

ASHANTI'S POV.

"Congratulations to all who made it in the top three of today's round of the competition. We meet next week for the next round." Mr. Morgan announces and a there's round of applause from his audience below. Myself and the members of my crew are clapping as well but with angry espressionsnon our faces. Ryan and the guys arrived with the machines thirty minutes into the competition and before they were done setting up everything, one hour was gone. Two hours were not enough to design and sew three summer dresses. We only managed to sew two and display them on the mannequins.

Our team ranked tenth.

No word can describe the anger I feel in my heart right now. I hope they investigate properly and catch whoever did this.

"For the TTC team whose equipment were tempered with, we will make sure to find the culprit and have them penalized accordingly before this week runs out." The judge adds with his gaze focused in our direction. I calmly nod my head.

I am not satisfied at all.

This competition is cruel. My equipment were tempered with but they rode on as though nothing happened. Why did they have to leave the investigation for after the round and not before? That's unfair to me and my team members.

"And for the competition next week, you all are required to hire real life models who will walk a run way for the designs you will create. That said, see you all next week." With that, steps down from the podium leaves with the other two judges. The rowdiness in the hall returns as designers take turns in congratulating the top three contestants of the day. Leonard's team is among as usual.

Sighing heavily, I put on my perfect fake smile and go over to congratulate the victors of the day before leaving the hall.

Right now, I don't trust anyone in there. One of them is responsible for the predicament I faced today and I hope they get exposed. From now on, I have to be extra careful. I've seen and experienced the extend to which insecure contestants can go to sabotage another contestants chance of winning the competition. I need to be alert.

I halt in my tracks when I see Alpha Reagan casually leaning by my car. The guards are no where to be found.

"Alpha Reagan." I call in a quiet voice, staring at him intensely. Tears start welling up in my eyes as I recall everything I've been through today. I tried so hard not to break down in that hall, but now that I'm standing before Alpha Reagan, I feel like rushing into his arms and bursting into tears because I know he will comfort me and above all, he will find whoever did this and make sure he or she is punished accordingly.

"Ash..." He calls, walking towards me. What's with the sad look? Is everything okay?"

"No." My attempt to keep my voice steady fails woefully. Tears burn at the back my eyelids. The least blink will have them spilling down my cheeks like a waterfall.

"Can we talk in the car?" He asks calmly and nod, not wanting to say another because if I do, the next thing I'll do is burst into tears. I quietly follow him to his car that's parked not far from mine and we both get into the back seat. The guards he came with close the door, giving us enough privacy in the car. "Do you want to talk about it?" The concern in his tone is only makingatters worse.

A fat tear rolls down my cheeks as I turn to face him.

Where do I start?

The fact that the subjects are talking about the fact that he has to choose between Selena and me or that someone tempered with my equipment and I had to come tenth in this round of the competition. "I... I don't even know where to start." My voice is a shaky mess.

"Start from anywhere."

"I don't know what to say."

"Throw words..." He scoots closer. "Just throw words and I'll do my best to string them into meaningful sentences. I just want you to get it out of your chest. Please."

A violent sob bursts out of my lips. Alpha Reagan quickly pulls me into his arms and soon, I'm crying and wheezing and choking and splintering into tears drops. He doesn't try to stop me. He doesn't utter a word, he juts calmly caresses my hair and let's me cry until I no longer have any tears to shed.

Gods! I'm such a cry baby.

When I'm calm again, I pull out of his arms and he hands me a handkerchief which I use to mop my face.

"I'm sorry." He whispers, with his thump gently stroking my cheeks.

"Why are you sorry?"

"I know how tough it is for you to listen to people talk about Selena and the choice I have to make. I'm really sorry you have to hear about that. I'm doing all I can to settle this issue."

"I know you are. And I'm not going to lie, I feel aweful when I hear people talking about the issue, but that's not why I'm crying."

"Did something happen?"

"Someone destroyed my equipment. We got here and found everything ruined and dismantled."

"What?" He asks, aghast. The worried look on his face immediately morphs into anger. His eyes grow drak. "Who did such a thing?"

"We don't know yet. The judges promised to find the culprit before the week runs out but that's not my problem. I almost missed out on today's session and my team came tenth. I feel so downcast right now." "I'm going to find out whoever did this and make sure they are punished. That's a promise."

"If something like this happens again it's going to ruin my chance of winning this competition. I'm so scared."

"I'll have a meeting with the organisers. I promise to get to the root of this issue and implement more rules to make sure something like this never happens again. I promise."

Those are the words I knew he was

going to say to me and I know means them. Whoever did this will be caught, but what I know is that there will be another attempt. So it depends fully on me to make sure I never get caught in such a trap again. Like I said before, I have to stay alert.

"Thank you very much."

"For nothing baby." My heart skips a beat when he takes my hands in his and brings them up to his lips. A cool, sweet, fluttery sensation runs down my spine and heat poolsin my stomach when he plants a soft, delicate kiss on the back of hands.

God, I've missed the feel of this man's kiss. My eyes shamefully locate his lips and a feral urge to lean closer and kiss him rides me hard.

"You've had one hell of a tough day." His smooth voice disrupts my carnal thoughts. I peel my eyes from his lips and meet his gaze. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better? Any place we can go?"

"Yeah."

"Where would you like me to take you?"

"A restaurant."

"A restaurant?" His eyes glow with surprise.

"Uhuh." I say, nodding pouting like a child. A soft chuckle tumbles from his lips. Flowers bloom in my heart as I watch his face brighten up as he laughs heartily at my request. My day just got better!