Chapter 5

Sovia’s POV

"Next time, do what you are told." Nanny Nicola shunned me before she slammed the door.

Even though my body felt heavier than usual, I had never felt more liberated.

A second chance, to rewrite my ending. To become the villain they should have feared.

But first I needed strength, connections, and power.

I was born with a rare wolf. They said if I shifted, I would go mad, so they plunged me with a thousand needles to spellbind my wolf, to stop me from falling into madness.

My mother feared that I may be the one, prophesied about—a demon wolf born to plunge the world into chaos.

However, all the signs point to Prince Zadekiah, even if no one said anything. All the more reason why he couldn't become king of the babel state.

It seems the greatest fear of my family is for me to slip from their grasp.

How do I fully unleash my wolf?

I needed an Alpha.

Janova was out of the question. That leaves Prince Zadekiah.

“If you don’t leave him now, you will regret it, Sovia.”

Those words made me shiver all over. Deep inside, my wolf stirred, pressing against me with heat.

It curled around my chest, and for the first time in a while, I felt warmth creeping through the tension coiling in my body.

I did regret it. I should have listened to him.

He might be a demon, but he was the only one who tried to help me.

But I was too blinded by love and my own pride.

Maybe in this life, Prince Zadekiah is the blade I need to turn the course of my fate.

Aside from being the King of the North, in my former life Prince Zadekiah made a name for himself in the human world as a renowned businessman.

Who needs royal luxury when the price will be my soul?

Cradling my body as chills crawled up my skin, I whispered:

"Prince Zadekiah, in this reality, I will be accepting the offer you made in our previous life. This is my gamble on you."

*****

"My lady! My lady!"

I groaned at the sharp soft voice. The rough shake made me jerk awake.

Brown eyes, long dark hair woven in braids.

Vanessa.

I blinked once. Then twice.

Springing up, I pulled her into my arms.

"Thank the Moon Goddess. She brought you back." I shut my eyes tightly.

Her body was stiff, but I didn’t care. I let myself drown in her dewy scent mixed with fresh lavender.

"My lady, what happened? Your body is shaking. Is it because of what the Luna did to you?" she asked softly, rubbing my back.

"Hmm." I held back the tears.

"Don't worry. Once you get mated to Prince Janova, no one will be able to bully you," Vanessa said.

If only she knew about our past.

Pulling back, I took her hand. "I won’t be marrying Janova. He’s not a good person."

"But—"

"The First Prince is my choice," I said in a low tone. "That is our chance for survival, and if we ever want to leave this cursed place."

"But the First Prince is a Demon Lycan. He kills people without reason and he cannot understand emotions like we do. My lady, are you sure?"

A demon offered me help when I needed it, even if his intentions were sinister. Yet the so-called holy patriarchs murdered me without a second thought.

"If you ask me, at least the demon is the better choice. He doesn’t hide his true nature." taking a deep breath so my words could sink in before I continued. “He is the most honest option we have now.”

Vanessa didn’t quite understand, but she pressed her lips together. "Alright. I trust you. Now we have to get going."

She tried to pull me up, but I frowned at the dull ache in my spine. "Where?"

"The main hall. Nanny Nicola is on her way. Today is your birthday, remember?"

That’s right. Today was my 20th birthday—the day Janova accepted my feelings.

******

Ball gowns, high society, business tycoons. My mother never missed a chance to flaunt her two untouched daughters.

I was her most prized possession. Because of that, I was not allowed to speak to men unless necessary, and even then, only with a maid beside me.

Tonight, I had plans of my own.

"Wow, isn’t that Lady Sovia? My Goddess, she’s beautiful."

"Too bad she’s a snub. I tried to get her contact a few moons ago and she said she didn’t have one."

"Such a liar."

I forced the rumors down my throat.

They weren’t entirely wrong. My mother, aside from being controlling, was a religious fanatic.

She valued purity to the core. That was why in my former life, when Lydia lost her virginity, she was forced to marry an old Alpha who left her a widow early.

Now Lydia was currently with our father on a business trip.

If that woman wasn’t my mother, was he even my father?

Was I truly of the Henric bloodline?

I didn’t get to answer that when a chill crept up my skin.

Like a magnetic pull, I lifted my gaze as the ballroom stretched out before me, chandeliers sparkling, over the polished floors.

And then I saw him. Prince Zadekiah, leaning on the balcony railing.

Lazy gray eyes met mine. His hair was damp and tangled, pinned loosely with wet strands falling around his face.

He blinked slowly, tilting his head as if weighing me.

My chest tightened. My heart pounded. My wolf stirred, a low purr vibrating in my bones.

"Lady Sovia!" I spun sharply before anyone caught me staring.

I was met with an unfamiliar face.

"Good day," I managed a smile, though my body felt warm all over.

He was still watching me.

Luck was on my side. Vanessa was keeping Nanny Nicola busy. I needed to meet Prince Zadekiah.

"I said I liked the dress," the lady continued, "but I don't think it suits you. It doesn't match your hair color."

Wolves of the Henric bloodline were known for thick wavy red hair.

But mine had faint dark strands near the ends.

I smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, but it is my outfit. You don’t get to decide what I wear." I let my gaze flick down at her dress and lifted my brow. Then I shook my head.

Her mouth fell open, but I didn’t give her a chance to speak.

I moved upstairs, carefully avoiding the maids after telling them I was going to the bathroom.

Reaching the top, it was empty.

Where is he?

I turned to leave when goosebumps snaked across my skin.

That familiar musk scent held me still.

Then lips brushed near my ear. "Little Red, why are you here?"

Little Red?

He may be tall, but that did not mean I was little.

"Caught you staring at me. Does your mate know you're drooling over other men?"

I swallowed, searching for my voice.

This was a stupid plan, but it was the only one I had.

I turned, bumping into his chest. His face was right in front of mine.

"He doesn’t," I said.

He pulled back, hands in his pockets, glancing toward the hallway. "Leave. You're disturbing my solitude. Besides, it’s your birthday."

Just get this over with.

He began to turn when instinctively, I grabbed his arm. We both froze.

His warmth made me want to lean in.

"I…I need your help."

He didn’t answer. Instead, he lowered his gaze to my hand. "Your scent, there’s something different."

I blinked. What did he mean?

Pushing the thoughts aside, I continued.

"I want you to be my mate."

He pulled his arm free and adjusted his sleeve, looking away.

"Did my brother put you up to this? Tell him I am not interested in games."

He didn’t understand that my chance to escape tragedy was him.

"It’s not Janova. I want you to be my mate." I bit my lip. "Mark me."

His hand lifted to cup my chin. Not gentle. Not rough. Just firm.

"I see life in your eyes, Little Red. But you understand what happens when I mark you."

My face heated. "Yes."

His thumb brushed my lips.

"Everyone in Babel knows you're head over heels for my useless half-brother." His voice was low.

My heart slammed hard enough to ache like my body already knew him.

"Kiss me, and I will consider your offer.”