Chapter 123: I accept
Alexander’s expression darkened at Kaden’s blatant challenge. Of course, Kaden just had to make a statement. He could never simply do what was expected of him without turning it into a declaration of war against everyone in the room.
A dull headache had already begun to pound behind Alexander’s temples. His son had practically announced before the entire court that he would rather surrender his position as an heir than accept a mate he did not want.
It was reckless, stubborn, infuriating. Yet Kaden did not back down. His chin lifted a fraction higher, his dark eyes fixed on his father with a defiance that made Alexander’s headache throb harder.
Maddox finally turned back towards the throne.
"The court has heard the decisions of the three Alpha heirs," he announced solemnly.
The words seemed to echo through Yuki’s mind. The three brothers had declared their intention to reject her. There had been no hesitation in their voices. No last minute change of heart. They had stood before everyone and chosen to let her go.
Her chest felt strangely hollow, as though someone had reached inside her and scooped something vital out. A faint ringing began in her ears.
Alexander’s attention shifted towards her. For the first time since she had entered the throne room, the Alpha looked directly at the girl standing at the centre of the scandal that had brought his family and the entire pack court together. Yuki felt his gaze settle over her like a physical weight.
"Miss Miyuki Donovan," he called gently.
Yuki slowly lifted her head.
"You have heard the declarations of your mates."
The word sounded strange now. Almost cruel. Alexander’s voice remained steady as he continued.
"You have been given the opportunity to speak. You have heard their reasons and have heard their decisions."
Yuki stood perfectly still. Her shoulders ached from the effort of holding them straight.
"Do you still wish to proceed?" he asked.
The entire throne room seemed to hold its breath. Yuki could feel the weight of every gaze pressing against her from every direction. Aevia sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face filled with worry.
Estelle watched her with an expression so carefully blank that it only made Yuki more suspicious. Eloise, however, made no effort to hide her anticipation. Her eyes were bright, and the smug smile on her lips had widened.
The council was watching, the pack officials were watching, and the three men who had just rejected her were watching too.
Yuki’s eyes moved towards them one by one. Killian stood with his expression carefully controlled, though a faint flush of colour had risen along the base of his throat.
Kaden looked almost defiant, his chin still raised as though daring anyone to challenge his decision.
And Kieran... Yuki’s gaze stopped on him. His face was unreadable. But his hands were not. His fingers were curled tightly at his sides, his knuckles pale from the force of his grip. A small, almost imperceptible tremor ran through his right hand before he forced it still.
Yuki’s brows drew together. Was he truly as unaffected as he wanted everyone to believe?
Her wolf trembled again. The sensation travelled through Yuki’s body, a faint shiver running along her spine. Yuki swallowed, but her throat was so dry that the movement hurt.
Her heart ached. It was not the sharp, devastating pain she had expected. It was a dull, persistent throb behind her ribs that somehow felt worse because it refused to disappear.
She looked at the three men one final time. Then her gaze shifted towards Eloise. The woman’s smug smile was still there. Yuki suddenly understood something.
This was not the ending she had imagined. She had thought rejecting the bond would feel like freedom. She had imagined walking away with her head held high, relieved to finally be free of the men who had spent every moment reminding her that they did not want her.
But standing in the centre of the throne room, with hundreds of people waiting for her answer, Yuki finally understood the difference between choosing to leave and being the one left behind. They were not the same thing. Her vision blurred for half a second. Yuki blinked quickly and forced it clear.
"Miss Donovan?"
Alexander’s voice brought her back. Yuki slowly lifted her chin. The room waited. A few people leaned forward in their seats. Yuki took one slow breath.
Then another. Her fingers slowly unclenched at her sides as blood returned to them, leaving behind a faint prickling sensation.
Whatever happened next, she would not beg. She would not give Eloise the satisfaction of watching her crumble. And she certainly would not give the Ravencourt brothers the satisfaction of thinking she had ever needed them. A single bead of sweat traced a path down her temple. She did not wipe it away.
"I..."
Her voice trembled**, and** she paused. The sound was barely audible. Then a familiar voice reached her mind.
’Breathe, Yuki,’ Aevia whispered in her mind.
Yuki’s eyes immediately found her sister across the room. Aevia’s expression was filled with love and worry.
’No matter what you choose,’ Aevia continued gently through the mind link, ’I will support you.’
Something inside Yuki loosened. She suddenly did not feel so alone. Her gaze softened.
’I won’t cause you any more trouble, Aevia.’
Aevia’s eyes widened slightly.
’Yuki, this isn’t about causing me trouble,’ she argued.
’I know.’ Yuki forced a small smile. ’But you deserve your happiness too.’
Her eyes briefly shifted towards Alexander before returning to her sister.
’This is a noble sacrifice. I’m leaving a toxic situation and giving someone who is truly in love the freedom. You deserve to have Alexander.’
Aevia’s expression tightened.
’Yuki...’ Aevia started, but Yuki’s wolf spoke before she could finish.
’Just do it.’
Yuki’s breath caught. Her wolf sounded frightened, but beneath the fear was something else. Acceptance.
’We won’t die from rejection,’ her wolf whispered. ’And who knows? Maybe we will find much better mates after them.’
Yuki’s lips twitched faintly. Even the part of her that would suffer the most was encouraging her to walk away. She drew in a deep breath. Then Yuki raised her head. Her gaze locked directly with Eloise’s. The smug woman was still smiling. Yuki smiled back. It was not a warm smile. It was a challenge.
"I refuse to remain tied to toxic mates who do not respect the sacred bond," Yuki declared, her voice suddenly carrying clearly through the chamber.
The smile on Eloise’s face faltered. Yuki’s own smile widened.
"Alpha, they are right. We should let each other go. We are simply not a good fit."
A murmur moved through the crowd. Yuki ignored it.
"I am not of noble blood. I do not have the family backing or the upbringing worthy of becoming the Luna of Ravencourt."
Her gaze flickered briefly towards the three brothers.
"And after living with them, I have come to realise something."
Killian’s brow furrowed slightly. Yuki smiled.
"I see them as the big brothers I never had."
Pin drop silence.