Rebooted Fate: The Beast-Human Marriage Contract

Chapter 1After the Beast Wars, a pact was forged. The shapeshifters would rule the world.Every century, a human and a shifter would marry. The first to bear a half-breed child would determine the next ruler.Last time around, I chose to marry the wolf clan's eldest son, notorious for his devotion, and beat everyone to the punch by birthing a white wolf hybrid.Our kid became the next big cheese in the human-shifter alliance, and my husband, Blake, naturally snagged immense power.My sister, Bethany, however, blinded by the fox clan's pretty faces, married their eldest son, only to find him a total player. She caught a nasty disease and lost her ability to have kids.Jealousy festered in Bethany's heart, and she set me and my baby wolf on fire. Roasted us alive.I woke up, and it was the day of the big marriage pact all over again. Bethany was already climbing into Blake's bed.I knew she remembered everything too.But what Bethany didn't know was that Blake was a savage at heart, a real power-hungry animal.“Scarlett, Blake and I are truly in love. Can't you just let us be happy?”“We've already sealed the deal, if I don’t marry Blake, who else would want me?”I heard Bethany's fake sobs, like nails on a chalkboard.My dad chimed in, always on her side.“Scarlett, maybe you could find another fiancé? Bethany just got carried away, made a mistake.”Dad always played favorites with Bethany. I was the bastard child he had on the side, while Bethany was the legitimate daughter.I glanced at Bethany kneeling on the floor.Tears streamed down her face, a mask of feigned distress, but her eyes blazed with ambition and excitement.I knew it. She remembered everything too. And she'd made her move first.Last time, I'd chosen Blake, the wolf clan's heir.Snakes were cold-blooded jerks, foxes were horny bastards, and dragons were stuck-up pricks.Wolves were loyal, devoted—the best bet.Six months after marrying Blake, I popped out a half-wolf, whom we named Talon.Being the first hybrid born, Talon was crowned the next ruler of the alliance.Bethany, lusting after the fox clan's looks, went after their eldest son, only to find him screwing everything that moved.She ended up catching some disease, becoming barren, and was shunned by the fox clan.But she blamed me for her misery, jealous of my good fortune, and slipped me a mickey, then burned Talon and me to a crisp.A surge of hatred boiled inside me. I wanted to rip Bethany's throat out for what she did to Talon.My fists clenched in my sleeves, the pain in my palms grounding me.I nodded, putting on a knowing face.“If you and Blake are so smitten with each other, I wouldn't dream of standing in your way.”Bethany didn't expect me to cave so easily. The tears she'd squeezed out hung awkwardly on her cheeks.“Bethany, get up. Thank your sister for being so understanding.”Dad breathed a sigh of relief.“Th-thank you, Scarlett.”Bethany bounced up and skipped off to tell Blake the good news.“She’s gone boy crazy.”Dad chuckled, then caug...