The Lycan King’s Second Chance Mate by Sumi

Chapter 0022 ASHANTI'S POV.

Flabbergasted is the right adjective to use to describe my current state. I'm glued to my spot, my mouth is hanging open in shock as I gape at Delta Kyle who's smiling down atlike he has lost his mind.

I cout of the building and met him here, waiting for me.

He wants to walk withto the training center! "Delta Kyle!" 1 call, just to be sure my eyes are not failing me. His smile broadens as he inches closer to me.

"The one and only." He stops in front ofand my eyes give a quick scan of his outfit. He's wearing at matching gray Adidas track suit and a pair of white, sneakers. There's a black sling bag hanging from his left shoulder to his right torso. The track suit is not tight-fitting, but it doesn't fall to print out his muscular body build that looks very hot.

I take a step back to digest everything that's going on.

"What are you doing here?" I manage to croak a question as I look at his face. His smile falters.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to meet you so we can walk together to the training center. You always arrive beforeso I figured you left the house earlier, that's why I was here at about seven am." Wait, what? The tright now is seven forty-five am. That means...

A sharp gasp escapes my chest.

"You've been standing out here for forty-five minutes?" I ask, aghast, almost screaming. My eyebrows almost touch my hairline as my eyes widen. What the hell is going on? "Forty-five minutes is a short time." "No, it's not!" I firmly deny. He chuckles hard and leads the way towards the training center. I'm still trying to process everything he just said. "That's almost one hour! One hour is a long time!" "It flew by like seconds!' "Why would you even bother waiting that long for me?" Now I'm worried. I give him a confused look and he sinks his teeth into his bottom lip.

"Because I enjoy your company." My legs stop walking. I stay planted to my spot. He stops walking as well and lets out a small laugh before turning to look at me.

"What?" He's still laughing and I'm looking at him like he has lost his mind.

Does he really enjoy my company? What's there to enjoy? "Why do you look so shocked? No one ever told you you are an interesting person to be with?" No one.

No one ever did, that's why I can't believe it's coming from a person like him.

"I......." I stutter nervously. "Never mind." I give him a tight smile and catch up. We both walk to the training center, chatting about random things, but my mind still cannot process the fact that he just toldhe enjoyed my company. That's the sweetest thing anyone has said toin a while. He leads the way into the arena, but immediately stops when he takes the first step in. Horror fills my ears when I see him quickly bow his head.

What the f**k! "Good morning, Alpha Reagan." His greeting jars in my ear like a loud church bell.

Alpha Reagan? Did I just hear him call the nAlpha Reagan? I look straight ahead and my soul leaves my body when my eyes fall on Alpha Reagan who's standing gracefully dressed in a white tracksuit. I almost choke on my saliva as I drop my head and mutter the sgreeting. My heart is beating so fast, I wonder why it's still working.

"Good morning. You can raise your heads." He instructs and I drag my eye to his. Electricity zaps between us as our eyes lock. Every atom in my body. wantsto turn around and run out of this arena. I know I'm doomed when Lena sprints in my mind. and starts chanting the word- mate, over and over again. I quickly shut her out before I snap.

What the hell is Alpha Reagan doing here? Goosebumps s cater up my spine when he walks towards me. Delta Kyle walks away to join other guys. I almost cry out for him not to leavealone.

"Ashanti. That's the name, right?" He takes a stand in front of me. I get a whiff of his cologne and I'm tempted to close my eyes and inhale more.

He smells fresh and clean.

My mate.

His close proximity is causing a surge of power within my veins which I cannot explain. I feel a bond. A connection with him. My heart is not only drumming hard out of fear for him, but out of excitement too. I'm excited to see him.

I shouldn't be.

I clear my throat and nod my head.

"Yes, it is. Alpha." The tension in the atmosphere. between us can suffocate everyone in this roomm find myself wishing I's ed training today. I want to be nowhere close to this man because he confuses me. Terrifies me. Makesthink things that are not true. being his mate? That's f**g ridiculous. I'm delusional! "Tie up your hair and join the others." I do as I'm told in milliseconds because of my dire need to leave his presence.

Warm up lasts thirty minutes. I slum on the floor, sweating and panting and Nelly does the sby my side. I'm trying hard to keep myself from looking in Alpha Reagan's direction. He's leading the guys for combat training and... Man!... Does he look hot doing that! "Brace yourself. Today is going to be a tough day because he's around." "I figured." Is all I say as I swallow dryly.

"Nelly, Ashanti. On your feet." His thunderous. voice dragsup to my feet. My knees buckle as he om e.

approaches us with heavy steps. Nelly and I stay side by side with each other, heads facing downwards when he takes his stand before us.

"I want you girls to showwhat you have been up to these past days.

To the circle." We both scamper to the fighting circle and he follows us, doeshore but and but doesn't step into it. He hands both hands tucked. into his trouser pockets as he looks fromto her, his face void of any emotions. "Your safe word is "strawberry"." A chuckle tumbles out of my lips on hearing that. Strawberry. Seriously? "Anything funny, Ashanti?" "No, Alpha." I purse my lips shut and straighten my face.

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