Both Twin Wolves Wanted My Sister—So I Stopped Wanting My Alpha

Chapter 3

Rowan left the house early that morning.

I stayed on the couch all night. When sunlight slipped through the windows, my body instinctively moved into the shadows. The townhouse had three floors, two bedrooms, a study, and the heated garage Rowan loved most.

It was spacious, beautiful, and comfortable, yet I never felt like I belonged.

Back in college, I worked as a research assistant during the day and picked up night shifts at a café. During the toughest two years, we lived in a basement apartment where the ceiling was so low that Rowan—nearly 6'6"—had to duck every time he came in.

He never complained, but I always felt like I owed him.

Later, I saved every penny from my scholarship and part-time jobs, took on three extra data entry projects, and finally scraped together the down payment for this townhouse.

I still remembered the day we signed the contract. I was so excited that I sent Rowan over 20 messages.

Six hours later, he replied with a single word: OK.

And somehow, that one word was enough to make me smile.

I opened the closet and packed my clothes. Almost nothing was mine. Instead, an entire wall was filled with gifts I had bought for Rowan.

When you love someone, you always feel like you're not doing enough. So I kept giving, hoping every little thing could close the distance.

I never realized he had never wanted any of it.

The custom watch for his 21st birthday, the leather jacket for Christmas, the fountain pen for his promotion, and the handwritten cards I prepared every year—none of which I ever saw him open.

I left every single one behind.

Rowan loved riding motorcycles, but whenever I asked him to take me, he turned me down. The only time he would let me join was when Chloe invited him first.

I decided to finally give him the freedom he wanted.

I placed the deed, the proof of paid mortgage, and ownership transfer documents into a brown envelope.

Before I left, I left a note on the dining table.

I'm sorry for bringing you into my life without your choice. This time, I'm giving your freedom back.

A car horn pulled me back to the present. Outside the office, newly registered beast partners rushed happily toward their owners.

I stood there alone, like the punchline no one else was in on.

When the clerk asked me for the third time if I truly wanted to end my relationship with Rowan, I still nodded.

Seven years ago, the Miller family took Rowan in through a family placement arrangement. After he became an adult, an outdated clause in the Werewolf Protection Act meant our guardianship and pack registration bond had never been officially dissolved.

I had applied for a permanent separation and requested that the townhouse be transferred to him as a one-time settlement.

The clerk went through every document, then looked up at me three times.

"Ms. Miller, you can still apply for a six-month cooling-off period."

"No need."

"Once the permanent termination is finalized, Mr. Hale will no longer be your protected family member. You also won't be able to restore this relationship by yourself."

"I understand."

She pushed the final page toward me, the pen resting beside the signature line.

At that moment, my phone screen lit up. It was Rowan. For the first time in seven years, he had sent me a full message without being asked.

Rowan: Come home early tonight. I need to talk to you.

I stared at those words for a long time.

The clerk asked softly, "Are you sure you want to sign?"

I tightened my grip on the pen and moved the tip toward my name. I walked out of the office, got into my car, and drove away.

I was going somewhere new—somewhere I could start over and finally find the happiness that belonged to me.