The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

REAGAN'S POV.

I understand that by delaying to claim Ashanti, by not treating her as my equal and not telling my subjects sooner that she was my mate, I committed a grave offense that warrants punishment, but I think this is too much. This is cruel and I'm starting to lose my cool. I was so confident about finding Ashanti in the Blue Diamond Pack. It tookall my courage to keep a straight face when Ashanti's mother toldAshanti had not cto see her. I was even more dumbfounded when she firmly deciphered her aversion to taking Ashanti in if she ever showed up at her doorstep.

Right now I'm not only worried for my mate, but I'm scared that she might go to meet her mother with all confidence only to get the disappointment of her life.

I have to find Ashanti. I have to bring her back home. I have to make sure she doesn't meet her mother and find out what I just found out. It will break her! My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on the door. I look straight ahead at the door, frowning as I let out an exasperated sigh. I'm not in the mood to see or talk to anyone, but when the thought that whoever is there could have cto givegood news crosses my mind, I give the signal. The door opens and I'm not surprised to see that it's Kyle.

"Alpha Reagan." He steps in and heads over to the table where I'm seated.

"Yes, Kyle." My voice is a raspy, tired mess. "Are you here to tellsomething that'll uplift my mood? Or should I kick you out?" "You'll probably kickout after you hear it." I groan.

Another search party is back with news of no sign of Ashanti in whatever pack they were sent to go look for her. I know that's what he's here to say.

"If it's about a search party not being able to find Ashanti, I don't want to hear it." I say, waving a dismissing hand at him. His shoulders sag in dismay. I watch his chest rise as he sucks in a heavy breath and quickly lets it out.

"Let Ronald and I go." He repeats for the one millionth time. I shake my head, denying that suggestion for the one millionth tas well.

"As it is now, I'm barely functional. You guys are the ones running the pack in my stead. If I send you two away, I will run this pack to the ground and if I dare leave and spend a single night out of here, those pesky Lycan King's who think they can overthrowwill turn this Pack into a venue for a Rogue festival. I can't risk it. Just keep sending the best guys we've got." I explain thoughtfully, leaning back on my chair.

I have thought tand again to go out there and carry out this search on my own, but that would meanstaying out of this Pack for days and even weeks. I cannot risk that.

The fact that I am the Lycan King does not makefree from jealousy and usurpation attempts. I have faced these before. My ex-mate died during one of those unexpected attacks and I still get PTSD whenever I think of something like that ever happening again.

My presence in this pack scares them from making a move. If I leave, they will swarm in here with every rogue they can find and cause trouble. I cannot let that happen.

"Alpha Reagan." Kyle calls after a long pause. I look back at him.

"Yes Kyle." "Have you ever thought that we've not been able to have a single trace of Ashanti's whereabouts because that's what she wants? What if she's deliberately hiding from us? What if she doesn't want us to find her? What if she wants away from all this and that's why she left in the first place?" His words leave his mouth with so much care and in the calmest tone, but when they reach my ears, they sound like harsh tones that jar in my ear like loud music, causing every hair on my head to stand erect and my scalp to start itching. Blood pauses in my veins as I ponder upon the hidden meaning in those words of his.

What if Ashanti doesn't want anything to do withanymore? What if she's deliberately hiding from me? What if she doesn't wantto find her? These thoughts have never crossed my mind and now I feel like an idiot for that.

We were not on good terms when she was locked up in the dungeon. Everything went downhill when she found out about Alina's pregnancy. She believed I was truly responsible for it and threatened to leave me. That's what madelock her up in the penthouse. Another terrible thing I did was force her to have sex with me. She calleda monster and promised to leavewhen she got the least chance. Then cthe accusation that led to her being locked up in the dungeon. Her angst towardsmust have reached sky level and her determination to leave grew stronger at the hours ticked by.

I don't know how she pulled it off, but she escaped from the dungeon and left this pack just like she had promised and now, she's somewhere, hiding, making sure I never find her again.

It all makes sense now.

No one kidnapped her. No one took her against her will and wherever she is right now, she's not in a bad m condition. She's perfectly fine. She's in hiding and she'll do all she can to make sure I never find her again to bring her here in this pack where all she ever knew was problems and hardship. And it's all my fault.

My constant fear of the unknown. My cowardice and indecisive attitude pushed her away.

I take in a deep breath that nearly breaks my chest and rise to my feet. I m head to the transparent wall to ceiling window, shove both hands in my pockets and stare blankly at the busy street beneath.

"Keep searching." I say absentmindedly, directing my words at Kyle who must be wondering the reason for my sudden silence. "I agree with you that she could be in hiding right now, but she's going to cout sooner or later, so ...." I face him. "Keep searching." "Yes, My Lord. We will find her." With that, he swivels on his heels and exits the office. I turn back to the window and take two steps closer.

I am such a dog! X