My mother always favored my younger sister, Delilah. In my past life, Delilah was quick to pick Callum, the Fae Deer, who was meant for me, the one who truly resonated with my spirit. I was left with no choice but to settle for Finn, the Carp, who hadn’t even fully transformed yet. To everyone’s shock, Callum suddenly went berserk, almost killing Delilah and making her the laughingstock of Our Order. Meanwhile, my little Carp, Finn, found his destiny and became the revered, legendary Koi. Delilah went mad with jealousy, plunging a knife deep into my stomach. When I opened my eyes again, watching Delilah unhesitantly choose Finn, the Carp, I knew. She had been reborn too. But what she didn’t know was that Finn’s transformation into the legendary Koi wasn’t a stroke of luck. It was an Apex State opportunity I had risked everything to find for him. In Our Order, upon reaching adulthood, we choose our Spirit Mates. Each year, the new Spirit Mates presented are selected in a tiered choosing ritual, starting with the Matriarch’s children. The future power and potential of a Spirit Mate deeply impacts their chosen partner. “In a moment, the young lords from the different clans will be brought in. You must choose carefully, for selecting a Spirit Mate is a bond for life.” My mother’s tone suddenly sharpened, growing cold and severe. “Rowan, even though the Elders say Callum, the Fae Deer, is most compatible with you, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the best. You’re the older sister; you need to be understanding and let your sister have what she wants. Do you understand?” I stared at my mother, stunned. The vivid image of blood still clouded my vision, and then her stern gaze fell upon me. That sternness was reserved only for me. For Delilah, she had nothing but gentle, doting affection. “Rowan, answer me!” My mother’s voice was a cold snap. A bitter, resigned smile touched my lips. “Mother, what do you want me to say?” In my past life, I had argued. Callum and I were clearly more compatible, but she called me greedy, lacking the generosity of an elder sister, claiming I’d never amount to anything. Callum still became Delilah’s Spirit Mate, and I was forced to settle for Finn, the Carp. Later, when Callum tried to advance, he went mad, almost killing Delilah. My Finn, however, transformed into the legendary Koi, revered by thousands. Even I was jointly nominated by several Elders to become the Heir Apparent. My mother summoned me urgently late one night. I thought she finally saw my worth. But when I entered the room, what greeted me was Delilah’s knife. I clutched my abdomen, blood gushing out. My mother, standing beside me, cried and begged me to forgive Delilah. She said Delilah didn’t mean it. Did that mean I deserved to die? Everything from my past life flashed before my eyes in a dizzying whirl. I thought she just didn’t love me the same way. But I never imagined that my very life, in her eyes, was utterly worthless.
“Mommy, let big sister have Callum, the Fae Deer. Please don’t argue with big sister because of Delilah. Delilah only wants Finn, the Carp, that’s all.” Delilah held Finn, smiling sweetly and innocently. My mother, for once, didn’t scold me. Her brow furrowed with worry. “Delilah, are you sure you want Finn, the Carp? Choosing a Spirit Mate isn’t a game.” She knew Delilah was arrogant, always wanting the best. How could she possibly give up Callum for Finn? A flicker of disgust crossed Delilah’s eyes. She knew Callum was better than Finn; in her past life, she’d chosen Callum and nearly died. This time, it would be my turn. “Mommy, Delilah wants Finn, the Carp.” Delilah cast a mocking glance my way, as if she already foresaw my death. But she never considered that if she hadn’t forcefully pushed Callum to advance, with the Fae Deer’s natural aptitude, he never would have failed and gone mad. Finn’s transformation into a legendary Koi in my hands was never about luck. It was an Apex State opportunity I’d fought tooth and nail to secure for him. Yet, that ungrateful creature, before I even died, used his Koi abilities to sever our bond. If he hadn’t forcefully drained that last thread of life from me, that knife strike wouldn’t have been fatal. My mother couldn’t argue with Delilah, so she turned her gaze to me. “See how sensible your sister is? She’s letting you have Callum. You’re the elder sister, so you should share half of your Empowering Relics with her. The Carp clan needs delicate nurturing.” So, she knew. She knew the Carp clan needed delicate nurturing. A dull ache squeezed my heart. In my past life, my mother had never once mentioned it. Instead, every word was about Finn being useless, urging me to give my Empowering Relics to Delilah. She never loved me. Whether I chose Finn or Callum, she would never love me. If that’s the case, then I’ll have neither! I walked to the very end, picking up the Black Wolf, Dax, who no one had bothered with. This life, I wanted a Spirit Mate who was loyal, fierce, and utterly devoted. Not that ungrateful creature who severed our bond before I even died. Holding Dax, my voice was cold and clear. “Mother, I don’t want what my sister discards. And no, I won’t be sharing any Empowering Relics.” “You always used to share half with your sister! Who has poisoned your mind, making you forget sisterly love!” My mother’s reprimands never bothered with time or place. The others in Our Order even snickered. I raised my head, which had always been bowed in her presence. My usually gentle eyes now held a sharp edge. “You did, Mother.” She was the one who, with my death, taught me that so-called blood ties and affection were nothing more than this. “Rowan, you’ll regret this! Finn will definitely become the legendary Koi! Mom, Delilah will honor you!” I strode away with Dax, Delilah’s taunting voice echoing behind me. I ignored it. Just wait. Without me as the scapegoat, they’d be forced to scrimp and save just to provide for Finn. Without a constant supply of potent Empowering Relics, Finn would struggle even to leave the water. Even if a great opportunity arose, Delilah wouldn’t have the means to seize it.
Back in my room, the moment the orb of light sank into my brow, Dax shivered, his fur bristling, and he transformed into a strikingly handsome man. His glowing green eyes fixated on me, and for a moment, I completely forgot to breathe. If I’d known he was this handsome, I would’ve picked him up in my past life! “Do, do you want anything to eat?” I swallowed hard, trying to mask my brazen thoughts. Dax narrowed his eyes, and I instinctively drew a sharp breath. Even hotter! This brooding, yet all-conquering aura… could I really handle him? “Don’t move.” Dax suddenly leaned closer, and I instinctively held my breath. “Our wolf clan chooses only one partner for life. We live and die together. I need to remember you deeply, never to forget.” “Then make sure you pay close attention.” I playfully tumbled him onto the bed. The Black Wolf clan truly did have robust physiques; his feel was simply divine. “Wh-what are you doing!” A deep flush spread across his face, and the small beast ears on his head popped out, twitching nervously. I chuckled darkly, pinching one of his ears. “Call me your darling.” “My darling,” he mumbled quickly before, with a soft ‘thump,’ he transformed back into a small black wolf. I laughed, burying my face in his soft fur. He tried to push me away a couple of times at first, but he was so gentle, clearly afraid of hurting me. I refused to move. When he realized he couldn’t dislodge me, he simply rolled his eyes and gave up. I’d only ever heard that the Black Wolf clan was fiercely loyal to their partners, but I never knew they were this… delightful. Despite his fierce look, his temper was surprisingly sweet. In my past life, I’d chosen Finn and had to coax him for days before he’d even sign the contract. That ungrateful creature had a terrible temper and was incredibly pampered. Delilah certainly didn’t have the patience to coddle him. I wondered how the two of them would manage. Thinking about it, I felt even more like I’d struck gold. I hugged Dax and rubbed my face against him a couple more times, wishing I could rub all his fur off today. “Ah—” A scream, followed by a thunderous crash from outside.
Delilah’s cottage had collapsed, and Finn was still in the small pool inside. She stood by the water’s edge, looking like a drowned rat, pointing at Finn and cursing in a furious rant. As I stepped out of my room, our eyes met. Delilah shrieked, pointing at me and yelling, “You’re deliberately watching me suffer, aren’t you! Rowan! I’m going to tell Mommy you’re bullying me!” Normally, when she threatened to tell Mommy, I’d always back down. This time, I folded my arms, leaned against the doorframe, and smiled sweetly. “Go ahead. It’s not my house that’s collapsed, nor is it my Spirit Mate who’s disgusted with me.” Delilah screamed and charged at me. It wasn’t that I couldn’t fight her; I’d simply held back out of a misguided reluctance to upset my mother. Now, I wouldn’t. My face hardened. Before my raised hand even touched Delilah, a black blur shot past me, tackling Delilah directly to the ground. “Dax!” I gasped, surprised. With a series of low growls, Dax pinned Delilah, his jaws clamped around her throat. At this point, Delilah couldn’t even shriek, much less make a sound. “Delilah, my Delilah!” My mother rushed over. “Make him let go, now! Are you deliberately trying to kill your sister!” Seeing her frantic expression, even though I no longer yearned for her motherly love, a cold pain still pierced my heart. I had felt her presence a moment ago. If it had been me on the ground instead of Delilah, she would have undoubtedly hidden until Delilah had vented her anger. Then she would have lectured me about being the bigger person. “Mother, Dax knows his limits. This is merely playful banter between sisters; you don’t need to worry about it,” I said, lowering my gaze, throwing her own words back at her. My mother raised her hand to strike me, but I deftly dodged. “Mother, if you dare lay a hand on me, I will have Dax kill her instantly.” I stared directly at her. She flinched. She was afraid something would happen to Delilah. I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. Both of us were her daughters, yet in her heart, one held vastly more weight. “Mother, I can have Dax release her, but you must promise not to blame him, nor seek any revenge. If any harm comes to Dax, it will be by your hand,” I stated. My mother’s face turned white with rage. “Is this how you speak to your elders? Are you demanding a confession from me, your own mother?” I gave a bitter smile. “I don’t want to, but you’ve always favored my sister. Today, she was the one who made the first move, and you didn’t even ask, you just rushed to strike me. You can bully Rowan however you wish, but Dax is my Spirit Mate. I cannot let him suffer because of me.” My feigned grievance and swallowed bitterness weren’t for my mother. Delilah’s outburst had drawn quite a crowd. Now, members of Our Order stood by, whispering amongst themselves. Whether my mother agreed or not today, the impression of her blatant favoritism would be cemented in their minds. Listening to the chatter, my mother eventually conceded. Dax loosened his grip, slowly walking back to stand in front of me, his eyes wary as he guarded me against my mother. I gently stroked his head, reassuring him not to be tense. My mother now paid no attention to me, pouring Empowering Elixirs into Delilah’s mouth as if they were worthless. Delilah slowly came to, pointing at me. “Bitch! When Finn becomes the legendary Koi, I’ll make you pay! Just you wait, my Finn will become the legendary Koi, and then I’ll make him kill you!” A smirk played on my lips. “We shall see.” Did she really believe that Finn transforming into the legendary Koi was purely good luck? I had no obligation to tell her. Let her cling to her Koi dream, and let it be her undoing.
I asked Dax about that day. Wasn’t he afraid Mother might, in a fit of rage, just kill him? Dax merely told me that if he couldn’t protect his darling, he’d be living in shame. He’d rather die. I pushed him onto the bed, urging him to call me “my darling” a few more times, but he refused. With a flick of his body, he turned back into a black wolf. I found myself petting him even more freely… After Dax’s direct intervention for Delilah that day, her relationship with Finn had significantly improved. Three months flew by. Whispers circulated throughout Our Order that while the Second Daughter, Delilah, might be overbearing, she was incredibly generous to her Spirit Mate. Countless Empowering Relics were piled upon Finn as if they cost nothing. I jokingly asked Dax if he was envious. Dax wrapped me in his arms, his grip firm and possessive. “Rowan, do you take me for a rich boy’s simpleton son? Without a true Apex opportunity, all those Empowering Relics will just make that carp a pretty face with no substance.” I burst out laughing, wrapping my arms around him in return. “How do I know you’re not just all talk and no bite?” I whispered teasingly. Soon, I wasn’t laughing anymore. Dax was certainly living up to his wolfish nature, and my waist was definitely sore! A few days later, my mother suddenly summoned me to her room. This time, I carried a short dagger with me. Dax noticed it and nudged me with his large black head, accompanying me into the room. Delilah was perched in my mother’s lap, her eyes smiling as she watched me.
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