Chapter 5: An Alpha's Bargain

Sovia's POV

In order to break my mother’s grip—I need an Alpha.

Someone strong and powerful.

I need to bond with an Alpha to unleash my wolf because she was sealed.

The reason? My mother always said it was for protection—now? I don’t believe so.

“My lady! My lady!”

I groaned at the sharp voice. The rough shake jerked me from my sleep. Morning sunlight illuminated the room, making my gaze squint for a moment.

Brown eyes peered into mine curiously. Long dark hair woven in braids draped past her shoulders.

It was her...

Vanessa.

Was this real?

I blinked once. Then twice.

When she placed her soft hand on my cheek, I froze. It was.

Springing up, I pulled her into my arms sharply. “You’re here. You’re alive.”

Her body was stiff, but I didn’t care. “My… my lady, you’re scaring me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“It’s okay,” she said softly, rubbing my back.

“Hmm.” I sobbed silently.

“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.”

“Huh? But you’ve always wanted to marry him? Did something happen?”

Vanessa was naturally carefree and innocent. I’d like for her to remain that way. She wasn’t just a servant. She was the only one who stood with me in the past.

“Nothing serious. I don’t want to be his mate.”

“I don’t understand.”

Vanessa blinked and started scratching the side of her head.

“But 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 supposed to announce our engagement in my past life.

***

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

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.

But tonight, I had plans of my own.

“Wow, isn’t that Lady Sovia? My goodness, she’s beautiful.”

“She’s gorgeous.”

Their praises fawned against my skin as I moved.

I already tore up the engagement agreement, but a part of me was still worried that Janova would announce it. Once it reached the public, it would be much harder to deal with.

“Where the hell is Janova?” I rasped.

Suddenly, 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—that familiar person, leaning lazily on the balcony railing.

Prince Zadekiah.

Why was he here? I squeezed my palm, trying to remember if he showed up like this in my past life.

No. Something wasn’t right.

I should take my gaze away, but I couldn’t.

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

He’s handsomely captivating, a faint voice purred at my chest.

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

My chest tightened. My heart pounded as a strange force stirred, a low purr vibrating in my bones.

I took a step back. Recognition flicked through my senses.

My wolf… why was she reacting to him?

“Sovia!” a voice called. I spun sharply, like I had been caught doing something I was not supposed to do.

“Umm, hi.”

She returned the greeting with a smile.

“Happy birthday.”

“Thank you,” I responded, trying to act like I didn’t feel the weight of his stare.

Or how he made goosebumps rush up my arms.

“Are you okay? You look pale,” the lady asked with a flicker of concern, but my mind was somewhere else.

My wolf never reacted to anyone—the few times she did, it was with Janova because he was my fated mate.

Why was this different?

I must find out what this means. So I left the lady and started walking up the staircase.

When I reached the top, it was empty.

“Where is he?”

No response.

“Could it be that I imagined it?”

No, his stare was too real… too intense.

"Little Red."Just as I turned to leave, my nose scrunched involuntarily, catching a whiff of thick musk laced with something dark. “Little Red.”

The hair on my arms rose as my feet refused to move.

I spun once.

No one was there.

My heart started to thump harder. His voice drifted against my ear. “Why are you here, Little Red?”

Little Red?

Only he called me that.

“You…” Heat flared across my face when I felt a presence hover dangerously close at my back.

“Caught you staring at me. Does your mate know you’re drooling over another man?”

I swallowed, searching for my voice.

Coming here to meet him was a big mistake, but standing so close only confirmed how right I’d been to worry.

That familiar warmth pulsed inside my chest.

Only an Alpha can remove the bind they placed on my wolf.

Was fate leading me to this man?

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

“My mate doesn’t.”

“Interesting.”

He pulled back, hands in his pockets, glancing toward the hallway.

“Leave. You’re disturbing my solitude.”

“It’s my event. If there’s anyone who should leave, it should be you…”

His mouth twitched with annoyance. “Absurd.”

He began to turn when, instinctively, I grabbed his arm. We both froze, not sure why my body was reacting on its own.

But his warmth made me want to lean in.

Only an Alpha can help me. And there was one in front of me.

In our past life, he offered himself to me. Now, I wanted it.

Being Janova’s brother made him somewhat exciting, but a man of his nature cannot be trusted.

“I… I need your help.” The words sounded nothing like the bravery I was trying to summon.

“I kill. Not help.” Something caught between his gaze as he lowered his eyes to my grip. “You are different. I can smell it.”

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.

“Tell my brother I’m not interested in games.”

He didn’t know it, but I was placing a bet on him. With my help, Janova became the Alpha King. I knew how much he worshipped that seat.

But what if I snatched what he most desired—it would crush him.

ZadeKiah might be exactly what I need. Protection, and a weapon to ruin his brother.

I stepped closer. Dangerously close.

“Become my Mate.”

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 if I accept?”

My face heated. Tension forced my knees to press hard against each other. “Yes.”

His thumb brushed my lips.

“Everyone in Babel knows you’re head over heels for my useless half-brother.” His voice was low. “Prove this isn’t another one of his games.”

My heart slammed hard enough to ache, like my body already knew him. “How?”

“Kiss me.”

My lips parted. “What?”