I Won’t Reject You the Sixth Time Chapter 05

I Won’t Reject You the Sixth Time Chapter 05

The wolves couldn’t help murmuring about my choice.

After all, everyone knew I had gone to the Dark Abyss for five years to find Moonflowers for

Harlan, and I had endured the soul-pain of being rejected for five years.

My father asked me, “Ivy, have you thought this through?”

I nodded. “I have. I can already feel the mate bond between Valerius and me.”

Every wolf who participated in the ceremony had voluntarily placed a crystal with their name into the fire. If I had drawn Valerius’s crystal, it meant he was willing to be my mate.

I saw a flash of joy cross Valerius’s face, but it quickly turned to nervousness. He clenched

his fists and walked toward me without a word.

Only then did I realize he was even taller than I had imagined, his arms thick and strong, like

an ancient gladiator.

The Moon Priestess looked anxious, but after a moment’s thought, she didn’t speak.

Harlan, however, lunged forward, shoving past the guards and grabbing my wrist.

His hand was freezing cold, and his grip was so tight it almost crushed my bones.

His voice was frantic and accusing. “Ivy, what the hell are you doing?”

“Even if you’re angry, you can’t trifle with the mate bond!”

I met his gaze, and there was no trace of my old obsession left in my eyes.

Harlan’s anger faded. His grip loosened slightly.

He swallowed hard, and his voice softened. “I know you felt bad about how I defended Lioral

the other day.”

“I promise, I won’t make you angry anymore. I won’t get close to anyone else.”

“Please don’t do this to yourself over some petty anger.”

“Everyone knows you love me. Your fated mate was supposed to be me.”

“Just because you didn’t draw my name this year doesn’t mean anything. We’ll try again next

year. Next year, I’ll make sure you draw me.”

His words were so certain, as if all my resolve was just a childish tantrum.

But I slowly pulled my wrist back. “Harlan, every word I say is serious.”

I paused, looking at his stunned face, and spoke each word clearly. “I don’t love you

anymore.”

“Don’t love me anymore?” Harlan’s face went pale.

His lips trembled, as if he couldn’t process what I had just said. “How can that be? You’ve

loved me for so many years. How can you just… not love me anymore?”

Panic filled his eyes, his confusion overflowing.

I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him any longer, so I gestured to the guards. “Take Harlan

away. Don’t let him interrupt the ceremony.”

The guards stepped forward, but Harlan broke free.

His voice cracked with desperation. “Ivy, tell me why!”

“Is it because I defended Liora? Because I brought her into your room? I’ll change. I’ll do

whatever you want. Just don’t do this to me!”

“Mate… From the first time I saw you, my wolf has been calling for you. You’re my fated

mate. I crave you. Every moment. I can’t live without you.”

He looked at me in anguish, as if a thousand thorns were piercing his soul.

But a tall, powerful wolf shoved Harlan aside.

“Stay away from my mate!” Valerius growled.

He let out a low snarl, as if ready to rip Harlan’s head off if he spoke again. Some of the

wolves stepped back in fear.

Then Valerius seemed to realize he had been rude. He looked at me and stammered, “Um…

Princess… I… I’m very sorry.”

I couldn’t help reaching out to touch his arm.

The moment our skin met, a tingling current raced through both of us. I felt a craving, to hold

him, to kiss him, even to sink my teeth into his skin.

His strong build looked like he could lift me with one arm.

Valerius swayed slightly, as if he wanted to pull me close and bury his face in my chest. But I

saw him clench his fists and grit his teeth, he held back, which made a pained expression

cross his face.

I wanted to comfort him, but Harlan still needed to be dealt with.

I turned to look at Harlan, and Valerius looked crestfallen that I wasn’t looking at him

anymore.

I held out a magical contract to Harlan. “Remember this? It’s the contract between you and

Liora. You chose her as your chosen mate a long time ago.”

“Harlan, you’re the last person here who should be objecting to this ceremony.”

Harlan stood frozen, his hands trembling as he took the contract, his eyes filled with endless

shock and regret.