When Destiny Brings A Second Chance Mate

Chapter 17

SOVIA'S POV

Has your life ever been so miserable that you prayed for death?

Well, I have.

In my past life, when things in my family got overwhelming and I couldn’t disappoint my mother, I secretly prayed for the moon goddess to take my life.

But each time I woke up, it was still the same damn reality.

The first time I saw Janova, all he brought me was peace. His calm soothed my wolf in ways no one has ever done.

But that also turned out to be a joke. And it cost me everything.

A tear slid from the corner of my eye as I stared at the man in front of me—Prince Zadekiah.

At least if I died by his hands, Janova and Blossom wouldn’t win.

A low chuckle rumbled from my mouth as I felt Zadekiah’s grip tighten, cutting off the air.

His gray eyes highlighted with the shimmering glow from his wolf.

He had the most beautiful eyes and seeing them so up close, I couldn’t help but wonder where I had seen them before.

Tears slid down my cheeks and thumped onto Zadekiah’s hand. His throat dipped, jaw tightening.

When his grip trembled, I caught a scent through the crack of his resolve—fear.

He loosened his hand from my neck, his brow knitted.

“Get lost.”

I tried to turn, but my knees buckled as strength drained from me. My vision blurred.

My body hit him.

I expected the harsh shove that would send me flying, but instead his arm snaked around my waist and pulled me flush against him.

Then, slowly—almost gently—his grip tightened, as if he couldn’t bear to let go.

I panted hard against his body, blinking past the dizziness.

His deep, dark voice rumbled above my head.

“No one dares to cross me—touch me.” His body inched closer, towering over me.

I kept my head down, refusing to meet his gaze.

He scoffed. “Sovia Henric, do you really think I won’t kill you?”

Life is all about gambling.

No risk. No reward.

If I don’t risk the action of chasing salvation,

I’ll suffer the pain of failure.

Knowing I had the power to change my fate and still allow that horrible future.

I stared at the silver lines on my arm. They seemed dimmer than usual, like they were fading.

But the clock was still ticking.

I didn’t come to die in this life—I came to win.

Meeting his eyes, I gripped his shirt tightly. My life depended on it.

“You can. But I don’t think you want to.”

Zadekiah curled the side of his lip, then turned away.

I gripped his shirt, pulling his attention back to me.

A low groan rumbled, echoing between the fragile space between us.

“Mark me. Make me your chosen mate and I’ll help you become Alpha King.”

Zadekiah’s eyes widened before he regained his composure. He stepped back a foot away from me, but I still held his shirt, unwilling to let go. This might be my only chance.

Even if I found someone else, no one would dare touch Prince Janova’s fiancée. I needed an alpha to break my mother’s seal—and Zadekiah was my only real choice.

“I don’t trust you, little red,” he said bluntly. Then he grabbed my wrist and held it.

“Ironically, I don’t trust people. But you?” He shook his head, tossing my hand away from his body. “Nothing good comes from helping you.

Tell my brother I’m not interested in being his puppet.”

There it was again—that false accusation he always brought up. I knew in the past all I did was follow Janova and do whatever he wanted, but this was different.

The way he stuck to that ideology… Did something happen between us?

“Prince Zadekiah, please. You don’t have to trust me. But I can help.”

“Help? Or use me for your personal gain?” Zadekiah arched a brow, one that said *answer, I dare you*.

I opened my mouth, pushing the lump behind my throat.

He wasn’t wrong. And there was no reason to lie, but if I said the truth, Zadekiah would never agree.

“No. That’s not the reason.” I closed the distance between us as my palms started to sweat.

*Moon goddess, forgive me for this sin. If I’m going to die as punishment, at least let me achieve my goal.*

“I like you,” I said, lifting my head boldly. “The one I want is you—not Janova. And I’m not willing to let you marry someone else in this life.”

My teeth clenched as I forced the words out.

“You’re mine—Zadekiah.”

My wolf stirred at the sound of those words. Faintly, she pressed closer, wanting to be near as his musky scent twirled from him.

He didn’t say a word. He didn’t move. He just stared.

Then, slowly, a slow cutting smirk shaped his mouth. His deep voice dropped into a low growl.

“No.”

He turned, and I tried to reach him.

“Touch me again—I’ll break those hands.”

I froze.

“ZADEKIAH!”

I shut my eyes, irritation burning behind them as I heard that soft, sugary tone dripping with pretense.

Blossom came into view. She hooked her hand around Zadekiah’s arm and turned to me, as if she had just seen me.

“Lady Sovia, what are you doing here with Zadekiah? Prince Janova is waiting with your wedding dress—he wants you to try it on now.

He wants you to try it on.”

I retracted my hand, forcing a smile. My left eye twitched at Blossom.

Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, what if I just snapped her neck now?