QUEEN'S STRIKE -BACK

Chapter 1: The Girl They Chose The morning sun bathed the countryside in a golden glow as a sleek black SUV rolled along the winding road leading to Silver Hope Orphanage. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh flowers blooming in the nearby fields. Inside the vehicle, six-year-old Ariel sat in the back seat between her parents, her tiny legs swinging excitedly. Her bright silver-blue eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked out the window. "Mommy, are we there yet?" she asked, clutching the stuffed white wolf her father had given her on her last birthday. Victoria smiled warmly and reached back to stroke her daughter's soft hair. "We're almost there, sweetheart." Daniel chuckled from the driver's seat. "You've asked that question at least ten times." Ariel giggled, making both of her parents laugh. "I just can't wait!" she said happily. "You said we're going to meet lots of children today." Victoria nodded. "Yes. Some of them don't have parents to take care of them, so we'll be bringing gifts and spending time with them." Ariel frowned. "They don't have mommies and daddies?" Daniel's expression softened. "Not everyone is as fortunate as you are, little wolf." The little girl's smile faded. "That's so sad..." Victoria gently squeezed her daughter's hand. "That's why we're here—to show them kindness. Sometimes, even a little kindness can change someone's life." Ariel nodded firmly. "I'll be kind to everyone!" A few minutes later, the SUV stopped in front of a modest building with a faded sign that read: Silver Hope Orphanage Children were playing in the courtyard while a few caregivers watched over them. As soon as Ariel stepped out of the car, she smiled brightly. "So many children!" The orphanage director welcomed the family warmly. "Alpha Daniel, Luna Victoria, thank you for visiting us again." Daniel shook the man's hand. "It's always our pleasure." The staff carried boxes filled with food, books, clothes, toys, and school supplies into the building while Ariel wandered toward the playground. Laughter echoed through the air as children chased one another. Then Ariel noticed someone different. Beneath a large oak tree sat a little girl about her age. She wasn't playing. She hugged her knees tightly, staring silently at the ground while the other children laughed together. Ariel tilted her head. "Why is she all alone?" Without waiting for an answer, she ran toward the lonely girl. "Hi!" The little girl looked up nervously. She had long dark hair, large brown eyes, and worn-out clothes that were a little too big for her. "My name is Ariel," Ariel said with a cheerful smile. "What's yours?" The little girl hesitated before answering softly. "...Ava." "That's a pretty name." Ava looked surprised. "No one has ever said that before." Ariel sat beside her without hesitation. "Why aren't you playing with everyone else?" Ava lowered her eyes. "They don't want to play with me." "Why?" "I don't know." Silence filled the space between them. Then Ariel reached into her pocket and pulled out a small braided bracelet made from blue and white threads. "I made this yesterday." She gently tied it around Ava's wrist. "Now we're friends." Ava stared at the bracelet in disbelief. "...Friends?" "Of course!" Ariel grinned. "My mommy says friends should never be lonely." For the first time in a very long while, Ava smiled. It was small... But it was real. The two girls spent the afternoon together, chasing butterflies, drawing pictures with colored chalk, and laughing until their cheeks hurt. From a distance, Victoria watched them with gentle eyes. "They look like they've known each other forever." Daniel nodded. "Ariel has always had a heart too big for her own good." When it was finally time to leave, Ariel's smile disappeared. She tightly held Ava's hand. "Do I have to go?" Victoria knelt beside her daughter. "Yes, sweetheart." Ariel looked at Ava, whose eyes had already begun filling with tears. "She'll be lonely again." Victoria's heart ached. Daniel exchanged a glance with his mate before turning to the orphanage director. "Tell us about the little girl." The director sighed. "Her name is Ava. She was found near the forest three years ago. No one knows who her parents are." "No family?" Victoria asked quietly. The director shook his head. "No one ever came looking for her." Ariel wrapped her tiny arms around Ava. "Can she come with us?" Daniel smiled sadly. "It isn't that simple." "But we can help her," Victoria said. After speaking with the director, Daniel and Victoria agreed to pay for Ava's education, clothes, healthcare, and everything she would need while ensuring she spent holidays and special occasions with their family. Ava couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You... you're really doing all this... for me?" Victoria smiled gently. "No child deserves to feel abandoned." Tears rolled down Ava's cheeks. "I promise... I'll never forget your kindness." She turned toward Ariel. "And I'll always be your best friend." Ariel hugged her tightly. "I'll always protect you too." The two little girls smiled at each other, believing nothing could ever separate them. Neither of them knew... That the promise made beneath the old oak tree would one day be shattered by betrayal. Nor did they know that fate had just brought together two girls whose lives would become forever intertwined—one destined to rise as a queen... ...and the other destined to become the reason for her fall.This chapter establishes Ariel and Ava's friendship and foreshadows the betrayal that will drive the story forward.