Chapter 3

Alison POV

When I returned to the Packhouse, the sky had fully brightened. The house was quiet, just like every night when I came home alone.

Suddenly, the phone in my pocket vibrated. "Is this Alison?" A capable voice came through. "I'm the Beta of Zephyr Moon Pack. Regarding your application to serve as Chief She-Wolf Trainer at Zephyr Moon Pack, we need final confirmation. Have you truly thought this through? It means you'll be leaving your pack for an extended period."

I lowered my eyes and gripped the phone tightly. "I've thought it through."

"Good. We'll arrange the other matters on our end. The departure date is set for the fifth of next month. Is that acceptable on your end?"

The fifth of next month—half a month from now.

I took a deep breath, my tone calm: "No problem."

After ending the call, I looked around the master bedroom.

This home was something I had built up piece by piece. When I first moved in four years ago, there was only cold black, white, and gray—a frigid atmosphere. I spent so much effort changing the curtain colors, filling the balcony with greenery, and filling the corners with gifts Ethan had punctually given for each anniversary.

I once thought that with enough care, this place would eventually become my true home. We would raise children here together and lead the pack to prosperity.

But now, soon I would be leaving this place forever.

I dragged out an old suitcase. Inside were my old training daggers, protective gear, and combat uniforms.

Halfway through packing, the bedroom door suddenly opened.

Ethan stood in the doorway. He saw the open suitcase on the carpet and froze, surprise flashing in his eyes. "What are you... doing?"

I paused while stroking the dagger, then tossed it into the case without looking up. "Nothing much. Just felt there was too much clutter in the room. Haven't cleaned in a while. Getting rid of things I don't use anymore or don't need. Throwing out what should be thrown out."

Just as he was about to ask more, his phone rang.

It was that special ringtone set exclusively for Olivia.

Ethan's expression changed. He instinctively glanced at me, then took his phone to the balcony to answer. "...Yeah, just got back to the Packhouse. What's wrong?"

I continued organizing my gear with my head down, pretending not to hear anything.

From the balcony, Ethan's lowered voice drifted intermittently on the wind into my sensitive wolf ears. "Headache again?... Don't worry, I'll come check on you right away... Okay, lie down and don't move."

After hanging up, Ethan returned to the bedroom, his expression somewhat complex.

I had already finished cleaning the last tactical vest and was carefully folding it into the case.

I looked up and asked him with a smile, "What happened? Is something wrong with Olivia?"

"It's Olivia..." Ethan hesitated, his eyes flickering. "She says she has a sudden severe headache... Her father is gone, and there's no one to properly care for her. I need to go check on her."

I looked at this man before me and suddenly found my four years quite laughable.

Four years—countless times trusting each other with life and death on the battlefield—and in the end, it couldn't compare to his first love saying "I have a headache."

I nodded. "Then go quickly. A headache is no small matter."

Ethan froze: "Alison, I..."

"Go on." I zipped up the suitcase. "Olivia needs you most right now. Don't keep her waiting."

If this were the old me, the me before hearing that recording, my wolf would have been roaring with rage inside.

I definitely would have asked him with red-rimmed eyes: "Didn't you just come back from the hospital? There are so many excellent doctors at the pack hospital. Do you really need to go?"

But now, I just smiled and even considerately reminded him not to keep another woman waiting.

Ethan stared at me for several seconds. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

He suppressed the strange panic in his heart. "Let's have lunch together at noon, okay? We'll go to that new restaurant you've been wanting to try."

I smiled noncommittally. "Sure. But if you get delayed there, it's fine. Don't worry about me. I'll take care of myself."

Ethan opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave the bedroom hurriedly.

I stood there, listening to the sound of the SUV engine gradually fade into the distance.

Then I turned around and continued methodically packing my luggage.