They Don't Want Me? It's the Other Way Around

"The Moonlight Sanctuary?" I asked.

The Moonlight Sanctuary was the estate Dad began building for me the day I was born.

It wasn't just any property—it was sacred ground meant to house the relics of the Moon Goddess. Every stone laid, every tree planted, and every flower grown was blessed with her divine power.

Six months ago, as the sanctuary neared completion, Dad handed the final phase over to Quin. It was supposed to be a gift to me for my coming-of-age ceremony next month.

But now… the estate that was meant to be mine had been handed over to Silvia. And she was already living there?

My gaze dropped to Quin.

"She grew up in a poor pack. She's never even seen a real moonstone. I just wanted to give her something she's always dreamed of. Besides, the Moonlight Sanctuary's still legally yours, isn't it?

"Don't be so unreasonable. We can just announce the mate ceremony during your coming-of-age ceremony next month, will that do?"

Quin said it like he was making some great sacrifice, and for a moment, I almost felt like I was the one who had been taken in.

And of course, the others chimed in to defend him. "Why throw yourself away for her, Quin? Evelyn's got a nasty temper, no wolf, and no discipline. You'd be better off alone."

"She's probably losing her mind with happiness right now—after all, she's been begging you to choose her for years."

"Quin, don't marry someone like her just because of me! I'll apologize to her, or get on my knees if I have to. She can hit me, yell at me—whatever she wants…" Silvia sobbed.

Their pitying words were pathetic. I almost laughed.

"Relax. I would never choose you." I looked at Quin coldly.

Quin raised a brow, and a dry, humorless laugh slipped from his lips.

I turned to walk away, done with this circus, only for Silvia to suddenly clutch the hem of my dress.

"Please, Evelyn. Don't make this harder for Quin. The Alpha King of Northaria only adopted them because of you—they came from a lowly background.

"If you're angry about the Moonlight Sanctuary and plan on going to the Alpha King… I'll apologize. I'll bow a thousand times if that's what it takes."

Before I could respond, she dropped to her knees and started bowing—again and again—until the floor beneath her ran red with blood.

Quin stormed forward and yanked her to her feet with a snarl. His furious gaze locked onto mine.

"I knew you were lying about the bond. All that talk about not choosing me was just an excuse to come after Silvia.

"You think you can manipulate everyone by whining to the Alpha King? Well, guess what? As long as I'm here, Silvia stays."

"I know you won't believe me, but I've never laid a hand on her—and I never will choose you," I said bluntly.

I turned to go, thinking that was the end of it. However, Quin grabbed my wrist, with his eyes sharp with scorn.

"So who is it, then? Mason? Or Kayden?

"Kayden's an artist—he just got accepted into Imperial Academy. Mason's a free spirit who doesn't even want the Alpha title.

"I've put up with your obsession for over a decade. Are you going after them now, too?

"Fine. You want the bond? You've got it. I'll be your mate. Just stop dragging Silvia into any mess and stop mistreating her. I'll live with you. I'll make it work."

The exhaustion in Quin's eyes was plain, as if I'd worn him down completely.

I stared back at him, and my voice turned as cold as frost. "I know what you really want. And I'll make sure you get it."

He was terrified I'd hurt Silvia—but even more terrified of being my mate. There was only Silvia in his eyes.

That was fine. Because at the coming-of-age ceremony, I would announce my bond with Heath. And none of them—not Quin, Mason, or Kayden—would ever be my mate.