When Destiny Brings A Second Chance Mate

Chapter 13

Sovia’s POV

“Ahhh!”

A loud scream tore from my throat as something that felt like a knife plunged into my skin.

Lydia jolted, her voice filled with alarm when I clenched my arm.

“Sovia!” She jerked me once. Then twice. “What is going on? Are you okay? Talk to me.”

The pain bloomed even more, like a pull drawing me in. It crept slowly.

Heat fanned the burner at the top of my ear. If my mother was nearby, I might have assumed this was her doing.

But this pain was nothing like hers. It didn’t just cut. It stung… hard.

Lydia pulled me in, taking my arm, and that was when I noticed the carvings. I looked closely and realised it was more like digits.

Lydia brushed her thumb over the spot, staring at me with concern. “Are you okay? There’s nothing here.”

“You can’t see it.”

Lydia blinked. “See what?”

My gaze sharpened at the sight.

Vanessa fidgeted, and if Lydia wasn’t holding me, I would have pulled her close before she twisted her fingers.

From the looks they were giving me, they really couldn’t see what was on my arm.

It was thick, something carved in with silver.

Before they worried about my mental health, I forced a smile.

“I must have twisted my arm. It doesn’t hurt anymore. Lydia. Vanessa, you don’t have to worry.”

Lydia’s gaze stayed locked on my arm, trying to decide if she was going to take my words for it.

I had to admit, it was nice having someone look after me in this way.

Vanessa nodded, her lips tilted in a cute pout.

“My lady, are you hungry?” She didn’t wait for my response before she lifted her gown. “I’ll go make your favourite pancakes.”

My wolf hustled inside me.

We both loved pancakes. I would always feel my wolf howl faintly whenever we managed to get a taste.

The door closed and I was left with Lydia. Her brow furrowed.

“Are you really okay?”

She wasn’t buying my excuse.

I nodded, placing a hand over hers.

“Lydia, I’m fine. Alright.”

She nodded, sniffing, but her eyes told me she was definitely going to be checking in.

Lydia had to leave with my father for business and pack affairs.

My father didn’t have any sons, so Lydia was the heir.

I shook my head sadly, knowing how it was going to be a few years from now.

My father would fall ill suddenly. Lydia would have to step in as heiress and manage the responsibilities until she became Luna.

However, Lydia did become Luna, but every decision was made by my mother, who was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

I was sold off for power, and my sister was carefully molded into a puppet, one that would never question her authority.

It ended in shambles after she fell in love with an Omega. There were rumours she got pregnant too.

But of course that woman never allowed them to be mated. Lydia was forced to marry an old alpha to save face.

Because of the alpha’s reputation, the rumours died down.

I sighed, lying down on my bed.

“Imagine living that kind of life—Lydia must have been miserable.”

The few times I saw her, there were bruises on her face. She basically had to give birth almost every year because the old alpha wanted a male.

To top it all, her pups died before birth.

Lydia deserved better too. In this life.

I turned. My gaze connected with the writing on my arm.

My body froze instantly.

I swallowed, eyes blurring at the sight. “A… April 26th.”

Underneath was something that seemed like a timer counting down.

I squeezed the sheets, my eyes fluttering closed.

April 26th? How could I forget the day I died?

My heart sank inside my chest.

The wedding was going to happen in three days.

Does this mean that my fate has been sealed?

And I would still be murdered?

***

I watched as the sun came up the next day because I couldn’t sleep. What if I found someone else entirely?

I sprang up. The world tilted for a moment from the sudden movement.

Pinching the space between my brows, I huffed, muttering a curse under my breath.

I noticed the silver mark. It was still counting.

My tongue flicked up against my teeth. Moon Goddess, what do I do?

Three days to find Janova’s replacement. And Zadekiah wants nothing to do with me in this life.

Creak!

The door opened. I expected to see Vanessa, but instead I was greeted by an unfamiliar face.

She had thin blonde hair smoothed into a bun at the back of her head.

Red lips perked up.

“Good morning, my lady,” her smile deepening her green eyes.

“Morning,” I replied curtly, looking past her to see if I would find Vanessa.

Nothing.

A low shiver purred against my chest.

Vanessa was always on time. “My lady, I’m the only one allowed to take care of you,” she would giggle.

I squinted my gaze. Something was wrong.

“Where’s Vanessa?”

The maid gave a curt nod. “Vanessa will not be attending to you today.”

“On whose orders?”

“The Luna, my lady.”

My mother was certainly up to no good. But at least, if I was going to die from her hands, it would take a few years.

I peeled the blanket from my body, stuffing my legs into the fluffy slippers.

“I’m going to have my bath. You can wait outside.”

The maid blocked my path, her face still curled up in a smile.

“I cannot leave your side.” Her words sounded more like a command than a statement. “And as for your bath, I’ll prepare it myself.”

Not waiting for my protest, she walked into my bathroom like she owned the place.

She prepared the bathtub in less than a minute. I had to admit that she was really good at her job.

But I still preferred my Vanessa. She would tell me all about the latest news happening in the Babel.

I always wondered how she was always so informed.

Slowly, I let myself get soaked in the heat from the water.

My mind was still racing with thoughts on how to escape this marriage.

What if you run away?

That tiny voice purred within me.

I liked the idea, but if Janova wasn’t from the royal family, I might be able to pull it off.

With a sigh, I opened my eyes to see the rippling water filled with petals and bubbles.

Drops of wetness kissed my skin with each drop.

When I caught the sight of my reflection… along with something else.

Or rather, someone.

Adrenaline pumped through my arms. I clenched my fist.