Chapter 4

After leaving the airport, I pushed my suitcase to the exit.

An enthusiastic, handsome man was standing at the pickup area holding a sign, smiling brightly.

"Alicia, I'm here to pick you up from Frosthowl pack. I'm Ethan, the principal of the pup training school."

He quickly took my suitcase, looking me over with slight curiosity.

"I didn't expect you to be so young! I thought experts in pup training would be, you know, older."

I smiled without explaining further.

I also hadn't expected the principal of the pup training school to be so young and energetic.

At the parking lot, my phone finally got signal. As soon as I turned it on, it vibrated nonstop.

I looked down to see it was all messages from Caius, nearly filling the screen.

I didn't open them. I calmly deleted them all with one tap.

Ethan put the luggage in the trunk, turned back to glance at me, and asked with a smile, "Alicia, you've got a lot of calls. Do you want me to wait while you reply?"

"No need. Nothing important." I answered casually, my tone indifferent.

In the car, he drove while making casual conversation.

"Alicia, this is your first time at our Frosthowl pack, right? Is there anywhere you want to go? You don't officially start work until the day after tomorrow. I can show you around first."

"Yes, first time." I looked at the scenery passing by outside the window.

My phone rang again. The ringtone was particularly jarring in the car.

He glanced at me and said kindly, "Maybe you should answer? What if it really is urgent?"

I thought for a moment, then answered the call.

Sure enough, it was Caius. His voice came directly through the receiver, barely suppressing his anger.

"Alicia! Where are you? What the hell are you doing? Why aren't you answering your phone?!"

He bombarded me with questions, his tone aggressive, as if I'd committed some terrible crime.

Listening to his baseless anger, I smiled coldly and said calmly, "Caius, there's no need for us to stay in contact anymore."

He was clearly stunned, then shouted even more angrily, "No need? Alicia, you're my wife! Where are you now? Come back immediately!"

I lowered my eyes and answered calmly, "The seven-year term is over. The agreement has ended. You never marked me. There's no mate bond between us. I'm no longer your wife."

After saying this, I decisively hung up and blocked his number.

Ethan seemed to sense the uncomfortable atmosphere. He turned and smiled, trying to ease the tension.

"Alicia, you're here to start a new life in a new territory. Don't let these things affect your mood."

He winked. "I helped you choose your place to stay. We'll be there soon. I'm sure you'll love it."

I looked out the window. The clouds on the horizon were dyed golden by the sunset, and something inside me finally seemed to shed its burden.

I nodded gently. "Okay. I'm looking forward to starting my new life too."