Queen’s Strike back

Chapter three

A New Beginning

Angela's POV

Noise erupted the moment I accepted Miguel's hand. The wedding court descended into complete madness as nobles shouted over one another.

Pack elders argued,guests exchanged stunned looks, some simply stared at me as though I had lost my mind.

I couldn't blame them. A few minutes ago I was Alpha Killian Jenson's bride. Now I was walking away with his greatest enemy.

The humiliation on Killian's face was almost enough to heal five years of suffering.

"Angela!" His furious voice echoed through the hall and I stopped but didn't turn around. "Look at me." I slowly faced him,his golden eyes were burning with rage.

His wolf was practically clawing its way to the surface. "You cannot do this." A laugh nearly escaped me.

Cannot? The man who imprisoned me was telling me what I could and couldn't do.

"I already did." The crowd gasped again and Killian's jaw clenched. "You belong here."

"No."

"You belong with me."

"No." The answer came effortlessly,each rejection felt like another chain breaking from around my neck.

His expression darkened. "What has he promised you?" Miguel remained silent beside me like a predator observing weaker animals fighting over territory.

I met Killian's gaze. "Something you never could." His face twisted. "And what is that?" I smiled. "Respect."

The silence that followed was deafening,several nobles looked away. Even some elders appeared uncomfortable because they knew. He'd always acted like he was doing me a favor by proposing to me.

Killian loved power more than people and for years in my past life they had watched him dismiss my opinions,ignore my efforts and treat my devotion as something he was entitled to.

Killian looked like he had been slapped. "Angela..."

"Goodbye, Alpha." His title,not his name,not my mate and definitely not my future husband.

The distinction wasn't lost on him,pain flickered across his face then disappeared beneath fury. "You'll regret this."

I remembered those exact words. He had spoken them in my first life too,only then I had been too afraid to challenge him.

"No," I said quietly. "I already regret choosing you." The entire hall fell silent again as shock rippled through the crowd.

Killian froze and for a moment I thought he might attack someone instead, he simply stared at me as though seeing me for the first time.

Then Miguel placed a protective hand against my back,the simple gesture somehow felt safer than five years spent beside Killian. "Shall we leave?" Miguel asked and I nodded.

Together we turned away,behind us, the court erupted once more.

The wedding that should have united the Shadow Fang Pack had become the greatest scandal in recent history.

And I couldn't have been happier.

The journey to the Crimson Blood Empire took several hours,most of it passed in silence.

Miguel didn't pressure me to speak,didn't demand explanations and he didn't question my sanity.

Instead, he sat across from me inside the luxurious carriage, occasionally reading documents while his warriors escorted us through the forest.

It felt strange and peaceful. For years my life had been filled with tension,walking on eggshells and constantly trying to please Killian.

Now there was only silence. I found myself staring out the window,watching the Shadow Fang territory disappear behind us.

A strange feeling settled in my chest. Relief. I was finally free. "We crossed the border."

Miguel's deep voice interrupted my thoughts and immediately I glanced outside. Massive walls stretched toward the horizon.

Warriors guarded every entrance,flags bearing the crimson wolf emblem waved proudly above towering structures.

The Crimson Blood Empire,the most powerful territory in the werewolf world.

In my previous life, even Killian had feared provoking them. The gates slowly opened as our carriage entered, citizens filled the streets.

The city was thriving,bustling with life and nothing like the struggling settlements of Shadow Fang.

No wonder Miguel ruled so successfully,the people respected him,they did not fear him.

Eventually we arrived at the royal palace and I stared upward. The structure was enormous with lack stone walls gleamed beneath the evening sun.

Miguel stepped out first before offering me his hand. I hesitated,then accepted and the warmth of his palm surprised me.

Something inside me tightened,a dangerous feeling. Trust. I wasn't ready for that yet.

The palace staff immediately bowed. "Welcome home, Your Majesty." Miguel nodded then everyone's attention shifted toward me.

Curious eyes followed my movements,whispers spread through the crowd. I could practically hear the rumors forming.

Miguel noticed my discomfort and his expression hardened. "Show respect."

Instantly every whisper stopped,the staff lowered their heads and immediately,I blinked.

One sentence,that was all it took. No humiliation,no embarrassment and no public criticism just protection.

The comparison to Killian was impossible to ignore. Miguel guided me toward the palace interior and minutes later we entered a private sitting room.

Miguel poured two glasses of wine and he handed one to me. "What really happened?" he asked quietly. The question hung in the air though I knew this moment would come.

The question was whether I was ready to answer it. I stared into the glass,at the dark liquid swirling inside then I took a deep breath and began speaking.

I told him everything,my marriage,my sacrifices,the businesses I built for Killian.

The alliances I arranged,the wealth I secretly provided,Morticia's arrival and the death.

I told him about my rebirth and when I finished, the room had become completely silent.

The fire crackled softly in the corner and I realized Miguel hadn't interrupted me once.

His crimson eyes remained fixed on me,thoughtful and dangerously calm. I braced myself for disbelief.

For questions,for skepticism instead, Miguel slowly set his glass aside. "I believe you."

I stared at him. "What?" "I believe every word." My throat tightened.

In my previous life, nobody had believed me,not even my mate yet this man believed me after a single conversation.

The realization nearly broke something inside me. Miguel leaned forward slightly. "Killian discarded the most valuable person in his life."

His voice became colder. "His loss." Something dangerous flashed in his crimson eyes. "You suffered because of them."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop,his wolf stirred beneath the surface and Miguel held my gaze then spoke words that made my heart stop.

"You will never suffer alone again." Emotion caught unexpectedly in my throat but before I could respond, Miguel continued.

"Shadow Fang will pay for what they did." His voice was absolute,like a king delivering judgment. "Killian."

"Morticia."

"Every person who helped destroy your life." A chill ran through me. “They'll all pay.”