The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

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.

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

voice steady fails woefully. Tears burn at the back my eyelids. The least blink will have them spilling down my cheeks like a

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

my cheeks as I turn to face

Where do I start?

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

"Start from anywhere."

don't know what

throw words and I'll do my best to string them into meaningful sentences. I just want you to get it out

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

such a cry

again, I pull out of his arms and he hands me a handkerchief which I

He whispers, with his thump gently stroking my

"Why are you sorry?"

talk about Selena and the choice I have to make. I'm

going to lie, I feel aweful when I hear people talking about the issue, but that's not why I'm

"Did something happen?"

my equipment. We got here and found everything ruined

face immediately morphs into anger. His

out but that's not my problem. I almost missed out on today's session and my team came tenth. I feel so downcast

this happens again it's going to ruin my chance of winning