When Destiny Brings A Second Chance Mate

Chapter 7

Sovia’s POV

“He’s not the one I love,” I stated bluntly.

I could smell the sudden shift in the atmosphere—a heavy pull that made the air tighten around us.

Janova’s eyes narrowed,. “Sovia Henric, is something going on?”

A lot of things went wrong in my past life. Mistakes were meant to teach us, not to be repeated.

I leaned further into Zadekiah’s arm. His body went stiff for a moment, as if he hadn’t expected it.

Blossom blinked, her gaze growing hard as she stared at the both of us. “Wh—what’s going on?”

Janova’s chest dipped. He lifted his hand and bit hard against his lip, clearly trying to keep himself together.

“Sovia, this isn’t funny. Everyone is waiting for us downstairs. You are my mate.”

“Hmm,” I gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Zadekiah’s hand closed firmly around me, his fingers pressing into my skin almost like he was claiming me.

We were so close.

My heart pounded. This was the same man who had bluntly told me he would kill me if I crossed with him—Yet here he was, playing along.

“Look, Janova. I liked you before, but now—” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “I’ve found someone else, and he’s far better than you.”

Zadekiah’s grip tightened around my waist. Heat bloomed from the back of my neck and shot down my spine as my wolf surged with unexpected excitement.

His touch crackled with electricity. When I glanced up, his focus remained locked on Janova.

The two men stared each other down, their auras clashing like thunderheads. If this continued, things could explode.

Janova didn’t love me, he craved control— bending everything to his will.

“Don’t tell me the person is my older brother?” Janova’s voice dropped, suspicion flashing across his face.

I curved my lips in quiet triumph. At least he caught on quickly.

“Yes. The person I want now is your brother.” I pressed against Zadekiah’s chest, letting my body mold to his solid frame. It fitted far too perfectly.

“Prince Janova, do you still not understand? I’ve lost all interest in you.”

Janova’s fists clenched at his sides. His carefully composed mask fractured. He dragged a hand across his jaw, clearly struggling.

“Sovia, is this because I haven’t made enough time for you? I’ve just been busy with court duties—” He gestured sharply, forcing calm into his tone. “Come on, you don’t need to run to him just to prove a point.”

I used to trail after him every chance I got. The entire state knew how foolishly in love I had been. Remembering those desperate things only made my chest ache with regret.

“That’s exactly why I’ve lost intrest.”

Janova’s expression turned stormy, all pretense of cooless gone. “Sovia, don’t you know who my brother is? Come here before you do something you’ll regret.”

His throat worked visibly.

Blossom tilted her head, nevoursly twsiting the fabric of her dress.

Zadekiah leaned closer, his voice a low rumble inside my ear. “Red, do you have a death wish?”

I lifted my gaze to meet his grey eyes, bracing myself for irritation. Instead, I found a spark of dark amusemet mixed with curiousity.

“For someone who claims to hate games,” I mummured, “You play them dangerously well.”

He tilted his head, studying me intently. “Are you really Sovia Henric?”

“Maybe. Maybe not?” My lips curved with quiet defiance. “Prince Zadekiah, what do you think?”

I opened my mouth, but I was interrupted.

A hand grabbed my wrist and hurled me away from Zadekiah.

Janova stood in front of me protectively. “Brother, I don’t know what games you are playing. Even though you hate me, leave Sovia out of this.”

Zadekiah nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Leave her?” His legs moved, his coat flaring by his side.

Both men stood face to face. They were sworn enemies, but this was the first time I was seeing them in direct confrontation.

Janova used to tell me how his older brother bullied him all his life, and that such a person would ruin the Babel state if he became the Alpha king.

After what Janova did to me, I was starting to reconsider. What if the narrative of Zadekiah being a monster was just rumors spread on purpose by Janova?

And Zadekiah was simply misunderstood?

“Your mate is of no interest to me—and tell her to mind her manners.” He darted his gaze toward me and frowned. “I have no interest in married women.”

My mouth fell open. He said that with such ease.

I didn’t understand. In our past life, he was the one who came to help me.

In this life, his attitude was nothing like before.

If I wasn’t mistaken, I think he resented me.

Spinning around, I watched Zadekiah's broad back as he walked away, his coat flaring like dark wings. His pine-musk scent lingering, teasing my wolf even as distance grew between us. Something inside my chest twisted painfully.

“ I’ll go see him now. Please take care of your fiancé.”

The word “fiance” tasted bitter on my tongue, like poison. It felt deliberate—as if Blossom was reminding me exactly where I stood.

Janova gave a small nod. A slow, satisfied smile crept over his lips as he watched her leave. The way they looked at each other sent ice down my spine.

Blossom footstep faded leaving just the two of us.

“Sovia…” Janova started, his voice smooth and calm. He slid his jacket off and draped it around my shoulders. “It’s already getting closer to winter—you should wear more layers.”

His scent wrapped around me, thick and suffocating, like overripe flowers hiding decay. It clawed at my throat.

He pulled the collar, pulling it higher around my neck and stepping closer.

“Sovia, I don’t want you going near my brother—he’s not a good person.”

“And you are?” I shot back.

Janova paused. Something unreadable flashed across his face as his eyes searched mine.

“Wh—what are you talking about?”

Instinctively, my eyes pushed back. I knocked his hand off. The coat slid off my shoulder and pooled at my feet.

“I’ll say this once—I have no interest in being your mate. I want someone else who isn’t you.”

Janova’s lips parted. He touched his upper teeth and smiled, but the expression didn't reach his eyes.

“Fine. Tell me, what do you want,” He paused. “I got you your birthday present if that’s the reason you’re acting this way.”

I wanted to scream

“You still don’t get it, do you?” I breathed. “I’ve already rejected the engagement. Didn’t your elders tell you…”

Before I finished, his hand shot out and grabbed the back of my neck—not too hard, but enough to keep me still.

He shook his head. “The one you love is me. And I reject your rejection.”

Pulling me closer, he closed his arms around my body.

My wolf snarled violently inside me, thrashing against his hold. He buried his nose in the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.

The sound of my blood roaring in my ear drowned out everything else.

“His scent is all over you,” his growled, voice dripping into something dark and possessive. “I don’t want you going near my brother. He’s a madman. If you do, I won’t forgive you.”

It terrified me when he spoke like this. I would plead, apologize, do anything to keep his silence from turning cold.

I feared his silence, but not anymore.

I leaned towards his ear and whispered, “Prince Janova, I don’t need your forgiveness.”

He jerked back. I tilted my head as I stepped back. “We are no longer engaged. Men and women should respect boundaries.”

Janova raked a hand through his hair, frustration burning in his eyes. “But you had no problem hugging that demon?” He chuckled bitterly and grabbed my shoulder.

“Sovia, it seems I spoiled you too much…”

**Whack!**

My palm stung as it connected with his cheeks. The sharp sound echoed.

He was the prince, and I had just hit him. Fear should have flooded me. Instead, sweet relief rushed through my veins. I watched the red imprint of my hand bloom across his face.

My breathing trembled, but a smile curved my lips. “I told you—I will not be your mate.”

Janova raised his hand to his cheeks and caressed the mark. “If you don’t marry me, then who? My brother?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “He already has a mate, and you just met her.”

“What?” The word tore from my throat. Shock slammed into my bones like Ice to water.

Zadekiah had a mate.

No…I had never seen this in my past life.

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?” Janova sighed, cracking his jaw. “His mate is Lady Blossom. Our father plans to unite the territories, and the rogues have finally come to their senses.”

He loomed over me. My knees buckled. He caught my shoulder to keep me upright, but his touch only made my skin crawl.

“Sovia, you are meant for me and no one else.”

I swallowed hard against the bile rising in my throat.

If Zadekiah married blossom…then I would be forced to mate janova.

My wolf howled in pure rage inside me, the sound echoing through every nerve.

No. Not again.

I would burn this entire fate to the ground before I let history repeat itself.