After Rebirth, She Stole My Killer Shark

The world was burning. Global temperatures soared, and the oceans began to shrink at an alarming rate.

At the Shifter Academy, Jessie Montgomery led the rich kids to snatch up all the land-based shifters.

That left us poor students with the dying, gasping aquatic shifters.

Later, the great floods came, and the entire continent was submerged. Jessie and her fancy shifters were swallowed by the tides.

Meanwhile, my Tiger Shark shifter became the undisputed king of the apocalypse.

I have been reborn. This time, Jessie rushes to steal the powerful Tiger Shark shifter first.

She sneers at me, waiting for me to drown. Seeing her smug face, I cant help but smile too.

She has no idea. Tiger Shark shifters are cold-blooded killers, and as the storm progresses, the water becomes terrifyingly corrosive.

This time, I am the one writing the script.

01

Im taking the Tiger Shark! Jessies shrill voice echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned to look at her in disbelief.

The world was currently in the grip of a record-breaking heatwave. Droughts were everywhere.

Jessie had always looked down on the ugly aquatic shifters, yet here she was, making a total U-turn.

She ignored the whispers. Instead, she shot me a look of pure, condescending triumph.

Ive got inside information, she whispered loud enough for the room to hear. Soon, the land will be flooded. Only the water shifters will survive.

Her behavior confirmed my suspicions. She had been reborn too.

I let a tiny smile play on my lips.

What a fool. Even with a second chance at life, she was still an idiot.

The Shifter Academy was a unique place where every student had to bond with a shifter during their coming-of-age ceremony.

The wealthy students in Class A, led by Jessie, had always despised us scholarship kids in Class B.

As the class president of Class B, I was naturally her favorite target.

In my past life, she had used her familys influence to block us from bonding with anyone.

By the time her clique finished picking the elite land shifters, only the unwanted aquatic shifters remained for us.

But shortly after the ceremony, the heat vanished. An unprecedented deluge hit the planet.

The dry riverbeds and oceans surged, drowning everything.

Even the mightiest land shifters were helpless against the rolling waves.

Jessie, who had chosen a majestic lion shifter back then, died screaming in that flood.

In my final moments before the world went dark for a different reason, I was riding on the back of my Tiger Shark, watching her struggle.

Even as she sank, her eyes were filled with deep, poisonous envy.

Jessies family was top-tier among the elite, so it wasn't impossible for her to hear rumors of the coming disaster.

Hearing her words, the other rich kids started panicking and shouting their choices.

I want the Seahorse shifter!

Give me the Pufferfish!

The Sea Otter is mine!

As the aquatic shifters were claimed one by one, a few students from Class B got anxious and tried to step forward.

Jessie shoved one of them to the ground. Whats the rush? Once were done, you trash can pick through the scraps.

The Class B students glared but didn't dare speak up. They all looked at me.

I simply shook my head. Let Jessie and her arrogant friends take their pick.

They didn't realize they weren't choosing guardians. They were signing their own death warrants.

Autumn Sterling, another wealthy student who never quite fit in with Jessies crowd, frowned.

Jessie, youre crossing the line, Autumn said. Bonding is supposed to be fair. You have no right to stop them.

Most of the rich kids backed Jessie, believing we were beneath them.

Jessie sneered at her. Since youre so big-hearted, why don't you wait and pick with these losers?

Autumns face turned red with anger, but she actually stood her ground and didn't move.

I looked at her, surprised.

Soon, the once-scorned aquatic shifters were all gone.

Jessie deliberately dragged her Tiger Shark shifter past me.

Summer Hayes, this time, Ill be the one watching you drown from the back of my shark.

I glanced at the Tiger Shark. He kept his head down, looking quite submissive, and I felt a chill of amusement.

Jessie thought she had the upper hand.

She didn't know that in my past life, I also died in that storm. I was murdered by the very shifter I had chosen.

My soul didn't vanish immediately back then.

I had seen how the rain changed in the later stages of the apocalypse, becoming intensely corrosive.

Every shifter living in that water was doomed.

02

President, does Jessie really have a lead? All the water shifters are gone. What do we do? one of my classmates asked, sounding defeated.

Its fine, I reassured them. Water shifters can only thrive in the ocean. Land and avian shifters are much more adaptable.

I continued, Even if shes right about the flood, we can build a fortified sanctuary. Its better than drifting aimlessly in a storm.

I turned my gaze toward the Wolf King standing in the arena.

Among the restless shifters, he looked remarkably calm.

Wolves are incredibly loyal. They choose one partner and protect them for life.

In my previous life, Jessie had chosen the Wolf King. He had died protecting her, letting her stand on his back to keep her head above water.

But after being reborn, Jessie didn't even give him a second glance.

Thinking about how she traded a loyal guardian for a bloodthirsty, unfaithful shark, I nearly laughed out loud.

I choose the Wolf King, I announced clearly.

Silas, the Wolf King, looked at me and walked to my side.

He must have sensed the tension between me and Jessie. He stepped in front of me, shielding me like a protector.

He shot a warning growl toward Jessie.

Jessies fists clenched. Her face was a mask of fury. Silas, you dare stand against me?

Silas narrowed his eyes, his expression cold. Why wouldn't I? Im not your shifter.

He then stole a quick glance at me, as if worried I might misunderstand his relationship with her.

Jessie choked on her words and glared at me. Fine. You can go to hell with this useless dog, Summer.

After she led her group away, Silas turned to me. His handsome face was serious and sincere.

I don't know if the world is really ending, he said. But I swear to the Shifter Gods, I will protect you with my life.

If the rain comes, I will make sure you stay above the water, even if it means using my body as a raft.

I looked into his eyes. I believe you.

The ceremony continued. Autumn Sterling chose a powerful White Tiger shifter.

Following my lead, the Class B students chose shifters skilled in building and avian shifters who could fly.

Soon, under Silass leadership, we began building a fortress on a high mountain about sixty miles from the school.

Jessie didn't understand what I was doing. She came by every day with her minions to mock me.

I ignored their insults. I just pushed the shifters to work faster.

I knew the apocalypse was coming.

03

A month later, in the dead of night, it happened.

The sky looked like it had been ripped open. A wall of water crashed down from the clouds.

The world went black. The wind howled like a wounded beast, carrying the scent of salt and doom.

Everyone woke up in a panic.

As the rain thundered down, the Class B students were terrified. Even with all our prep, the scale of the storm was soul-crushing.

The Class A students, however, were celebrating.

They swarmed around Jessie, showering her with praise.

My god, Jessie! Thank goodness you warned us. If we had picked those land mutts, wed be dead for sure.

Look at those losers in Class B. Theyre shaking! Serves them right. Look at those land shifters jumping around like scared kittens.

Within two days, the roads were gone. Based on my memories, the school would be underwater in a week.

Aquatic shifters were limited on land. They needed to get to the open sea to be at full strength.

Jessie led her group to the edge of the rising shore.

They were preparing to head out into the deep with their shifters.

The massive Tiger Shark leaped into the water, sending up a huge spray.

A crowd of school staff members gathered, begging Jessie to take them along.

Miss Montgomery, please! The school is sinking. Well die if we stay here.

Jessie sat atop her shark, looking down at the desperate people kneeling in the mud.

She let them beg for a while before speaking with icy arrogance.

I can take you. But everyone has to hand over forty pounds of food and water.

The crowd was overjoyed. They called her a saint.

Giving up their supplies hurt, but it was a small price for a chance to live.

The staff members loaded their crates onto a wooden boat tethered to the Tiger Shark.

Jessie then turned to Autumn. Well? Are you coming? For the sake of our families, I wont charge you. I cant watch you drown.

Autumn looked at Jessie with suspicion. But seeing the water already seeping into the buildings, she finally gave in. Fine. Thank you.

She and her White Tiger shifter boarded the boat.

As the boat began to move, Jessie suddenly looked back at me.

Summer, if you get on your knees and beg me, I might let you on. You don't want to know what it feels like to drown.

I just watched her coldly.

I knew Jessie. She didn't have a selfless bone in her body.

Seeing I wouldn't budge, she snorted and ordered the Tiger Shark forward.

The group of aquatic shifters surged into the dark water, leaving us behind.

But halfway out, disaster struck.

The Tiger Shark whipped its tail, deliberately flipping the boat into the churning flood.

Help! Miss Montgomery, help us!

The people in the water screamed, but Jessie just threw her head back and laughed.

Who do you think you are? You think Id actually waste energy on you? Your deaths are just a way to clean up the trash. Ill keep the supplies, though.

She didn't look back as she urged the shark to go faster. They vanished into the gray mist.

Autumn was being held tightly by her White Tiger, but even he was struggling to stay afloat.

Just as hope seemed lost, a flock of avian shifters appeared from our direction.

They were carrying long ropes attached to a sturdy rescue boat.

Get in! a student shouted. Summer has built a sanctuary nearby. Youll be safe there.

04

Autumn looked back at the shore and locked eyes with me from a distance.

Thank you! Thank you, Summer!

I cant believe Summer was the one to save us. Jessie is a monster! She took our food and tried to kill us!

The survivors were weeping with relief. They scrambled onto the boat.

The avian shifters began towing them toward our mountain fortress.

I turned to the remaining students and shifters. Its time to go.

Three hours later, everyone stood in awe before the massive, ark-like fortress.

They couldn't believe I had built this in less than a month.

It was all thanks to the tireless work of the shifters.

With Silas leading them, the construction had been incredibly efficient.

Once inside, the sounds of the apocalypse were muffled by thick, reinforced walls.

I looked at the grateful staff members. If you stay here, you follow my rules. If anyone has a problem, the door is still open.

Silence followed. No one moved.

I smiled. Good. Then lets make sure we survive this together.

The fortress was massive. We had plenty of room.

I had even sectioned off areas for indoor farming. Food would be scarce soon, and we needed to grow our own.

The school staff members were perfect for managing the cultivation.

I also sent avian shifters out during lulls in the wind to spread the word to other survivors.

I told them about the sanctuary on the northern peak and warned them to stockpile food.

If they were brave enough to make the journey, they were welcome.

But I wasn't going to be a martyr. I wouldn't risk my shifters lives to hand-deliver everyone to safety.

Giving them the information was enough.

Three days later, the last gap in the defenses was sealed. The fortress was complete.

While everyone else cheered, I remained solemn.

I knew the worst was yet to come.

Autumn walked up to me. Whats wrong? You saved my life. If you need anything, just ask.

I hesitated. The fort is strong, but were missing one vital thingDacid-resistant coating.

Acid? Autumn asked, confused. But she trusted me implicitly now. How much do you need?

I blinked. Wait, you know where to get some?

The schools research lab has a warehouse full of it, she said, pulling a set of keys from her pocket. Did you forget my family funded half the campus?

I was ecstatic. I hadn't expected my act of kindness to pay off so quickly.

05

I immediately sent the avian shifters back to the school.

Luckily, the warehouse hadn't been fully submerged yet. We managed to salvage a massive haul of the coating.

According to my timeline, the rain was about to change.

I led a team out into the storm. We ignored the wind and rain, painting every inch of the fortresss exterior with the chemical shield.

We worked for three straight days. Just as we applied the final coat, a single drop of rain hit my cheek.

It felt like a tiny, white-hot needle.

The others didn't notice, but my face went pale.

Everyone! Inside, now! Do not come out!

They scrambled back into the safety of the halls.

I saw Silas shaking his wet fur, about to lick himself dry. I grabbed his muzzle instantly.

He looked at me with puppy-dog eyes, then playfully licked my palm.

I grabbed a towel and started drying him off manually.

No shifter is allowed to lick their fur, I announced loudly. The rain is turning corrosive. It will burn your tongues out.

What? Corrosive?

Panic rippled through the group.

One shifter didn't believe it and touched his tongue to a wet patch on his arm. He hissed in pain immediately.

My god, were trapped!

Thank god we have the farms and the water filters.

Will the walls hold?

I didn't answer them. I went to the observation deck and looked out.

Two weeks into the storm, the world was a literal ocean.

Only a few rooftops were still visible near our mountain.

Survivors were huddled on those peaks, waving desperately toward us.

I lowered my binoculars.

I wanted to save people, but I couldn't save everyone. The smart ones had already come.

Those who waited for a miracle were now at the mercy of natural selection.

By the twentieth day, the acid concentration was so high that it would burn a hole through fabric in seconds.

The survivors outside were in agony. With no shelter left, their skin was being eaten away, leaving raw, bloody scars.

Some of my people had complained about the late-night work shifts earlier.

Now, as they watched the horror through the reinforced glass, they looked at me with nothing but reverence.

On the twenty-fifth day, a piercing alarm went off.

My radio crackled. Silass voice came through, sharp and urgent. Sentry report! A massive pod of aquatic shifters is heading our way!

I rushed to the deck. Through the gloom, I saw a giant Tiger Shark cutting through the waves like a torpedo.

Behind it were hundreds of others.

And sitting on top of the lead shark was Jessie Montgomery.

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