The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

ASHANTI'S POV.

My heart feels like a war drum against my chest as I watch my mother approach me with a half smile that doesn't reach her ears. I suck in a breath at the sensation shooting up my arm. My head is spinning, my mind is working like a running treadmill as I try to search for options of places I can go to from here. I'm sure the entire werewolf world knows my face by now. If I have to leave this pack, I'll have to disguise myself in some way so people won't easily recognize me and send word to Alpha Reagan.

"Ashanti." Mother calls and a strange feeling in my gut comes to life. The weight of her stare presses against my chest like an anvil, making each inhale progressive more difficult.

"Mother..." I choke out, hoping she doesn't get offended that I keep addressing her as such. I cannot bring myself to address her by her name. I've never done that before and I never want to do it. She is my mother and no matter what, I love and cherish her. "Good morning." My voice is almost inaudible. The tight smile on her face relaxes much to my surprise.

"Good morning, Ashanti." She sits by my side, on the bed and I turn to face her. What baffles me the most is the smile on her face that never fades. It's a contrast to the look she had on yesterday when we were talking. Her smile feels warm and looks more genuine and her overall countenance is more welcome than that of yesterday.

what changed

night?" The care and concern in her voice melts my heart like it were butter slapped

and clear my throat before riding on. "My night was great. Thank you." I lie smoothly, complimenting it with the perfect fake smile. As it is, I'm barely managing to keep myself calm. My anxiety is hanging by a thread that's about to snap into two. My heart is doing backflips in my

am not ready at all for the bad news she's about to throw at my face.

the look of things, it seems you overheard my conversation with Sheila a while ago." She's still smiling and I'm freaking out internally as I nod my head in agreement. Her face falls and she lets out a sad sigh. "Sheila's having a hard time adjusting to your presence here and on top of that, she has

sure there are other

chest reroutes itself to a different area of my body A fluttering

seven hells is going on