THE LYCAN KING’S SECOND CHANCE MATE novel Chapter 266

REAGAN'S POV.

I'm accompanied all the way to the dungeon by the notorious Elders John and Malcom. They are hot on my tail and are determined not to take their eyes off of me even for a single second.

What I have deduced from everything that's been going on is that not only do these Elders and the other three hate Ashanti. They hate me as well and I can bet my life on the fact that they are all praying fervently for my downfall.

I have to find a way to expel them from my council sooner or later. For now, let's focus on the problem at hand.

“Take me to her.” The guard I just spoke to simply bows and leads the way into the dungeon. The elders are still following, but since they are old and weak, they are struggling to keep up with my speed and that of the guards, but I don't care. The elevator ride is a short one. A few steps later, I'm standing in front of a cell with my heart in my throat. The elders are standing a few metres away, but they are still too close for my liking. Ashanti, who has now noticed my presence, calls my name as she hastily rises to her feet. Her wet face makes my heart bleed and I'm fighting every nerve in my body that's urging me to rip this door apart and take her away with me.

“Alpha Reagan.” Her crying voice sounds my name, nearly triggering my own tears to break lose from my eyes. I draw in a quiet breath and grind my teeth hard against each other as I keep my eyes on her. “You don't think I did that, do you?”

“Of course not, baby.” I take a step closer to the iron-barred cell door and wrap my fingers around the iron railings, staring straight at her face. The atmosphere is thick with melancholy and I've never felt so powerless before.

I am the Lycan King, but I cannot get her out of this cell right now. One wrong move and there'll be even greater chaos in this pack. That is something I cannot afford to let happen because my enemies will take advantage of the situation and attack me like they did in the past. A familiar sense of loss rides me hard and my head drops in dismay.

This is like a déjà vu.

The last time a problem as serious as this came up, I lost my mate to the cold hands of death.

I'm not going to let history repeat itself.

“If you believe me, why don't you get me out of here? You're the Alpha. You have all the power to release me from this cell.” Her crying voice shatters my heart into a million, bloody pieces. She doesn't understand. Even I don't understand what's going on.

“Baby.” I call in a much calmer tone. “The situation is a lot more complicated than you think and if I get you out of here right now, there will be a riot. The subjects, the elders, the other Alphas all believe you're guilty of the crime. Letting you out of here without proving your innocence will cause more harm than good. We have to tread carefully.”

“Does that mean I'm doomed?” She sniffles tears.