Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully Chapter 72

Angelina’s POV

The Pack Wars. The consolidation of North America. The political games where one wrong move meant a knife in the dark. We'd both talked about wanting out, late nights when the bodies piled too high. But once you step into that world, there's no walking away. Some people tried. Most ended up dead within a year.

"Every damn day," she said quietly. She pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "But we both know how that story ends."

I nodded.

She took a drag, then seemed to shake off the mood. "Business first." She pulled a bank card from her jacket and handed it over. "Thousand dollars. Emergency fund. PIN is your old apartment number."

I pocketed it. "Thanks. How's Riverbend Pack holding up?"

"The Elder Council has their wrinkly hands on the wheel. Everything's stable. Boring, even." She paused. "You coming back?"

Am I? This second life just dropped into my lap. Fifteen again. No targets on my back. No assassination attempts.

"I earned this reset," I said. "Gonna enjoy being nobody for a while."

Her eyes lit up. "Does that mean I can take a vacation? Actual time off? Maybe hit Cancún, drink something with an umbrella in it?"

I smiled. "You've earned it. Take two weeks. Hell, take three."

"Thank God. I was starting to forget what beaches looked like."

Heavy footsteps echoed from the alley entrance. Multiple heartbeats.

We both went silent immediately. A decade of survival instincts kicking in.

"Aria! There you are!"

Uncle Robert walked toward us with three of his guys. His eyes locked onto Kingfisher, taking in her stance, her presence.

Here we go. Time to play normal teenage niece.

"That fight was incredible!" Robert continued, gesturing enthusiastically. "The speed, the technique—I've never seen anything like it! And you must be Aria's friend. I'm Robert, Aria's uncle. I help run this place."

"Uncle Robert, this is Gabrielle," I said. "We go way back."

Robert stuck out his hand. "Any friend of Aria's is welcome here! Great to meet you, Gabrielle. You visiting from another pack?"

Gabrielle shook his hand. "Château Noir Pack. In France."

Then she said something in rapid French. Perfect Parisian accent.

Smooth. She probably learned that for a job in Lyon a few years ago.

Robert looked impressed. "French! Fancy. You know what, you two should come to my office. I've got some good whiskey. We can celebrate that amazing fight."

His heartbeat's elevated. Too enthusiastic. He wants something.

"Sure, Uncle Robert," I said. "Lead the way."

We followed Robert back through the building. The main platform came into view as we passed through the central corridor.

The crowd was going wild over the next fight.

"Ten bucks on the blonde!"

"Nah, the brunette's got reach!"

Robert's office sat in the far corner of the building. White soundproof walls. Reinforced door. Smart setup for private conversations.

He unlocked it and gestured us inside. "Make yourselves comfortable, ladies."

The office was simple. Desk, chairs, a cabinet with some expensive-looking bottles on top. A few paintings on the walls. Nothing too fancy.

Robert grabbed three glasses and a bottle of whiskey. "So, Gabrielle, how long are you in town?"

Before she could answer, someone knocked on the door.

One of Robert's guys stuck his head in. "Boss, we got a situation. East side, near the cage matches. Looks like it might get ugly."

Robert sighed. "Duty calls. You ladies make yourselves comfortable. Help yourselves to the drinks. I'll be right back."

He left, closing the door behind him.

Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak.

I held up my hand to stop her.

There it is. That itch at the back of my skull. The one that's kept me alive through a hundred ambushes. Electronic signatures. Two of them.

I reached out through the mind link. Third vase from the left on the cabinet.

Gabrielle moved casually toward the cabinet. She picked up the vase like she was just examining it, then palmed something small. She looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

I pointed at the lamp on the desk.

She walked over and found the second device.

Sensory Detection. One of the few Alpha King abilities that survived the reincarnation. I can feel electronic devices like pressure against my skin. Years of dodging Coalition spies and Elder Council power plays taught me to never trust a private room. This body might be weaker, but my instincts? Those are hardwired into my soul.

Gabrielle crushed both bugs between her fingers. The tiny fragments fell to the floor.

We looked at each other. No words needed.

Gabrielle finally spoke out loud. "So. Your uncle's keeping tabs on you."

"Looks like it," I said.

"You know what he wants?"

"Not yet. But I'll find out."

She nodded slowly. "You need backup?"

"Nah. I can handle Uncle Robert." I picked up one of the whiskey glasses and examined it. "Besides, you've got a vacation to plan."

"True. But if things get weird, you call me. I don't care if I'm on a beach in Mexico."

"Deal."