Chapter 3

I called my landlord and told him I was moving out today.

On the other end, he asked, “You’re really leaving? You’ve lived there for more than four years.”

Yes.

Four years already.

When Ronan and I first confirmed our relationship, he wanted me to move into Blackridge Pack’s Alpha residence with him.

The main house was heavily guarded, home to his most trusted Beta, Gamma, and core warriors.

Celeste said I should keep some private space for myself and suggested that I live alone.

So I rented an apartment near Blackridge’s downtown offices, hoping I would see him more often.

Ronan agreed.

Sometimes, after he finished dealing with Pack matters, he would come here late at night and stay until morning.

This place was filled with the sweetness of our early love, then with our arguments, our silences, and the sight of his back as he hurried away.

But now, I had gathered enough disappointment.

I had made up my mind to leave.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m moving today.”

The landlord sighed and told me to leave the keys in the mailbox.

Not long after I hung up, the door was pushed open from outside.

Ronan and Celeste walked in, laughing and talking.

Celeste turned back and smiled at him.

“You promised. After my lease ends, I can stay in your Alpha residence for a few weeks after the bonding. Save me the room in Moonshadow East Wing, the one with the bay window. And change the curtains to the pink I like.”

I stood in the middle of the living room, wondering if I had heard her wrong.

She said it so naturally, as if how long she would stay and how our home after the bonding would be decorated were both things she had the right to decide.

Ronan did not object. His smile was indulgent.

“Elowen won’t mind.”

“Elowen always takes care of me. Of course she won’t mind.”

I stood there, and something in my throat seemed to loosen.

“What if I say I do mind?”

The air went quiet for two seconds.

Celeste froze.

Perhaps it was the first time I had ever refused her. Before she even spoke, her eyes were already red.

Ronan’s voice carried a note of reproach.

“Elowen, what’s wrong with you? Usually you can’t wait to give her everything. Now you’re arguing over a single room?”

“I’m not arguing,” I said.

“Then what do you mean?” He frowned. “Celeste’s lease happens to be ending. She’ll only stay for a few weeks. She’s your sister, not some outsider we need to guard against. The Alpha residence is so big. What’s wrong with letting one more person stay for a while?”

“That is supposed to be our home after the bonding,” I said. “The home meant for Blackridge Pack’s Luna. Who exactly is bonding with you?”

Ronan choked on that.

Celeste said softly, her eyes red, “Elowen, I just wanted to be closer to you. If you don’t want me there, forget it. I won’t move in.”

Ronan looked at me with blame in his eyes.

“Look at you. One sentence and you’ve hurt her this much. She’s your sister. Can’t you think about her?”

“Then who thinks about me?” I lifted my head. “You personally arranged for her to enter Blackridge Pack’s External Affairs Office. You approved resources for her far beyond what others at her level receive. She hardly has to worry about anything. And me? I only have—”

“Enough!” Ronan’s expression changed. “Be reasonable. She’s your sister. I only took special care of her because of you. Do you really have to be so petty?”

Petty.

That word again.

I smiled and said nothing.

Celeste tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “Ronan, stop. Elowen is probably just in a bad mood.”

He patted her hand, and his tone softened.

“Elowen, I’ve already decided. Celeste moving in is a good thing. You two sisters can stay close even after the bonding.”

I nodded.

Whatever.

It was your home anyway.

I would not be living there.

Ronan let out a breath of relief.

Celeste wiped the corner of her eye, though no tears had fallen, and smiled again.

I turned to continue packing.

Behind me came Celeste’s voice.

“Can I really change the curtains to light pink?”

Ronan’s voice was full of amusement.

“Whatever you like.”