The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

ASHANTI'S POV.

Eerie, pin-dropping silence has been the state of this office ever since Rhea, Conrad and I walked in and greeted the Beta of the Lunar Crescent Pack.

Everyone is well-behaved, including my stepmom who never knows when to shut up. Even my father doesn't have the right to say a word unless permitted by the Lycan Beta. Everyone acts respectfully in the presence of him and the other Lycan soldiers he came along with.

The tension in this room is suffocating.

"Alpha Anderson." The Beta's thunderous voice sounds throughout the room and everyone looks at him. My heart starts beating fast.

"Yes, Beta Ronald." Father bows to him and I cringe.

It feels weird to see my father acting like a subordinate and not a leader to a Beta.

"Is everyone who's supposed to be part of this meeting, present?" His voice is calm, but carries so much power and authority.

If the Lycan Beta makes me tremble as such, I'm surely going to faint the day I'll meet face to face with their Alpha.

I hope that day never comes.

"Yes, Beta. We are all present." Father replies humbly.

"Good. I'm going to go straight into introducing the purpose of my visit." He looks around with searching eyes. I keep making sure my eyes never meet with his. "I am here to enforce the Concordat Ritual." He announces and my mind goes into a frenzy.

The Concordat Ritual.

of that from other older members of our pack who said that in the past, every few years, Lycans would go to various packs to pick out girls for their Harem, but that ritual

the honor of presenting young maidens for the ritual." I glance at Rhea and she looks

does

high grades in school and takes first position in her class every academic year. She has won many academic awards and competitions Everyone in our pack knows she's a brain box and for her fighting skills... oh, they are impeccable. She's so strong and brave! She is a daughter I am very proud

in awe, completely amazed by her

is an amazing

She was basically telling the truth except for

the time. My stepmom always tried to prove Rhea is the smarter one through her own fabricated narratives even though

the Lycan Beta so he can choose

afraid to admit it. When a girl is picked from a pack, the pack receives a fortune and protection from Rogues and other enemies from the Lycans. However, the chosen girl will be serving the men in Lunar Crescent Pack and we all know what

these two?" The Beta demands and my step mother quickly stretches her index finger in

hair. She's my beautiful Ashanti." I nearly fall over when the Beta makes eye contact with me. I

my breath when he looks away from me. His eyes stop

nods in Rhea's direction. All the color drains from my

She turns to look at my father, but he kept his eyes on the Beta

my eyes widen in shock. I snap my head to look in her

not mated to

Yet!

giving her an intense look and she calmly nods

of my body. "His name is Conrad and he's my mate." The office

things

lied to the Lycan Beta. That is an offense punishable by death if

on my stepmother turns from worried to relieved, and it becomes proud. I'm sure in her heart, she's congratulating Rhea for