THE LYCAN KING’S SECOND CHANCE MATE

ASHANTI'S POV.

“Enjoy your meal." The waiter who just served our meals and drinks says with a gentle smile and small nod.

"Thank you." Both Leonard and I reply in unison before he takes off. Smiling, I look down at the meals served on the table and my intestines start grumbling. A sign for me to dig in already. I shoot a brief glance at Leonard and heat like oil splatters all over my face when our eyes connect.

He's looking at me!

“What?” I ask, chuckling shyly and he shakes his head.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to be sharing a meal with you again. That's all." He shrugs and picks up his cutleries to start eating. My intestines give me another warning by grumbling loudly again and I pick my cutleries and start eating the food on my plate.

"I hope I won't be doing doing too much by congratulating you again for taking first position in the round of the competition." Smiling, I take my time to chew the piece of beef I just put in my and swallow, before saying...

"I'm going get ahead ahead of myself if you keep making this such a big deal."

"It is."

"I know... but it's not very serious. We're not even in the knockout stages yet. I'll appreciate all your congratulations when I can still secure a spot in the top three during the most crucial staged of the competition."From NôvelDrama.Org.

"That's not going to stop me from congratulating you anytime to have a big win."

I groan and roll my eyes in frustration.

He's just like Alpha Reagan. Stubborn and never listens to what I say!

"Anyway..." il look at him just in time to see him turning his head to look in the direction of the door we came in through. This is the second time he's doing that since we sat down. When he looks at me again, I smile."

"You were going to say something?" He asks gently.

"Uh..." I clear my throat and focus on my words eventhough my mouth is itches to ask him why he keeps looking at the door. "I'm still shaken by Laura's sudden disqualification. I didn't think they could send anyone packing at this stage.”

"They can, if your designs are as atrocious as Laura's." He says in a such a nonchalant manner that makes me want to laugh, but I mange to hold my laughter in and keep a straight face.

I cannot bring myself to mock her eventhough she was an ass to me.

"This morning, when you walked into the hall, I noticed Laura, Wilma and Kercy approach you. They blocked your way and I overheard them saying some really mean things to you. I can sense the feud brewing between you girls. What light be the cause?"

"Well..." I drop my fork and pick up

Re

the glass of wine next to my plate. The sip I take washes down the food in my mouth to my stomach and clear my throat before looking at Leonard again. “They think Alpha Reagan pulled strings for me to get into this competition and that he's going to do the same for me to win.”

"That's preposterous!"

“I know, right?” I pick up my fork again. “And I can sense the rivalry growing as the days go by. But that's not something strange to me. I'm used to having other girls detest me wherever I go."

“Ashanti you have to be careful." He cautions in a low, serious tone. My brows rise as I look at him.

"Hmmm?" I mumble.

"It's never a good thing to have bad blood with your fellow cotestestant during a competition because the rivalry won't just end with you exchanging bitter words. They can go as far as sabotaging your chances of winning this

competition." My knees anove

weak

with fear the moment those words hit my ears.

I know exactly what he's talking about. I have experienced it before. Late Alina and her crew, which including my step-sister, Rhea, teamed up against me during the Combat competition organisée by Alpha Reagan and that got me into big trouble. I was accused of poisoning my fellow contestants and attempting to murder two guest Alphas. The entire experience plays fresh in my mind like it happened just yesterday eventhough it was over two years ago.