Chapter 1
Serena's POV
Foxes are born to bless their mates, unlocking their bloodline and putting them on the throne of the Beast King.
In my last life, the Golden Lion prince Rein picked me, and my sister Lilith got stuck marrying Austin, the black dragon everyone steered clear of.
Then Austin's bloodline woke up and he took the throne, and Lilith rode his coattails straight into a crown.
I threw everything I had into blessing Rein and it never worked. He blamed me for every failure, dug my core out with his own hands, and tossed me into a cell like trash, leaving me there to rot.
Now I'm back, and at the mating ceremony, Rein walks right past me and takes Lilith's hand instead.
That's when I know. He's been reborn too.
But he has no idea. It was never my fault the blessing failed. He was never going to hold power, no matter who blessed him. That throne was never his to take.
"Before the great Beast God, Prince Rein of the Golden Lions, choose your fated mate."
The high priest's voice, old and cracking, rolls through the cathedral. Every eye locks on Rein.
I stand at the left side of the altar, my nine white tails lying still beneath my skirt. A few minutes ago I was in a cell, watching Rein carve my chest open with a knife, calling me a joke, a waste of space.
Now I'm alive again.
I lift my chin and look at him. He's got his armor on, gleaming, gold hair pulled back, standing there like he already owns the room. The Golden Lions earned first pick after the last war, and that pick belongs to him.
Last time, he came straight for me without a second's hesitation, because I carried the purest fox bloodline of anyone alive.
This time, his gold eyes lock onto mine and something twists at the corner of his mouth. I know right then. He remembers everything too.
Sure enough, he walks straight past me, toward my sister.
Lilith's three tails flick nervously behind her. When Rein stops in front of her, she does the whole shocked, flattered act for half a second before her eyes light up with something closer to glee.
"I, Rein, first heir of the Golden Lions, choose Lilith as my fated mate."
The room erupts.
"Wait, he passed over Serena, the purest bloodline in the room, for her?"
"That's insane. Serena's gift is a once-in-a-century thing."
The nobles around me start whispering, throwing me looks somewhere between confusion and pity.
Rein looks down at me, not even bothering to hide the smirk. "Serena, don't think being firstborn means anything to me. Your bloodline looks impressive and does nothing. Lilith's the one who's actually going to get me on that throne."
Lilith melts into his side right on cue, voice all honey. "Don't be mean to my sister, Rein. She can't help that her gift's weak. She's still a good person. And don't worry, I'll pour every drop of power I have into you. I'll make you the greatest king this world's ever seen."
Watching the two of them, so pleased with themselves, already picturing the crown, I almost laugh out loud.
Instead I just smile, cold, and let the thought run through my head. Rein, you actually think Austin took that throne because of Lilith's blessing? You have no idea her power couldn't fill a thimble, let alone give Austin anything worth having.
Austin became king because his own bloodline woke up on its own, some ancient black dragon power that had nothing to do with anyone else. Lilith got lucky and walked away with a reputation she never earned.
You think you grabbed the key to the throne. You just grabbed a girl who's as useless as you are.
"Since you've made your choice, congratulations to you both." I lift my skirt and give them a proper bow.
Rein scoffs. "Nice act. Good luck finding anyone else to take you. Unless you're desperate enough for that monster."
The monster he means is Austin, prince of the black dragons. People say he's vicious, cold-blooded, that his keep is stacked with the bones of anyone foolish enough to cross him. His power runs too hot for him to control, and it drags him into killing sprees. Every noble daughter on the continent keeps her distance.
I turn and walk straight toward the tall figure standing alone in the corner of the cathedral, ignoring the shocked stares following me.
Austin's in full black armor, most of his face lost in the shadow of his hood.
"Prince Austin." I stop in front of him and tilt my head up, smiling. "Will you be my fated mate?"
His dark red eyes contract the second he sees me. His voice comes out rough. "You're sure? Everyone calls me a monster."
"I only trust what I see with my own eyes," I say, steady.
Something flickers in his eyes as he searches my face for hesitation, for fear, anything. He doesn't find it. Slowly he reaches out with a hand covered in black scales and closes his fingers around mine, careful, like he's afraid I'll break.
His hand is cold and shaking slightly, a strange contrast against how massive and intimidating the rest of him looks.
Finally he says, "Okay."
