Oops Wrong Girl to Bully (Angelina) by Xena Kessler novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Angelina’s POV

“But they followed you. That’s what matters.”

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I shook my head. Tear is a tool. But it’s not sustainable. I learned that too late. By the time I died, half my pack probably celebrated.”

“I doubt that.”

“You didn’t see their faces when I announced new policies. The resentment. The barely hidden anger. I ruled with an iron fist and it worked. But it didn’t make me popular.”

Caelan was quiet. Then he said, “Maybe that’s why the universe gave you a second chance. To do it differently.”

I laughed. “You think I’m supposed to be some kind of benevolent leader now? After everything I did?”

“I think you have the opportunity to choose. To be whoever you want to be Not who you had to be.”

That was an interesting thought. One I hadn’t considered before.

We sat in silence again. The sky was getting brighter. Orange and pink spreading across the horizon.

“Do you have any border disputes right now?” I asked. Changing the subject.

Caelan nodded. “With Creek Pack to the north. They keep pushing into our territory. Testing our boundaries.”

“How are you handling it?”

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“Patrols mostly. Warning shots. I don’t want to escalate to actual war unless necessary.”

I thought about it. “You should consider splitting your forces. Make them think you’re weak on the east border. Draw them in.”

Caelan’s eyes sharpened. “And then?”

“Pincer movement from north and south. Cut off their retreat. Capture their Alpha. Force a surrender without major casualties.”

He smiled. Exactly what I was thinking. Great minds think alike.”

“Have you tried negotiation?”

“Their Alpha doesn’t respond well to talking. He’s old school. Believes might makes right.”

“Then you beat him and install someone more reasonable. Problem solved

“You make it sound so simple.”

“It is simple. The execution is what’s hard.

We continued talking strategy. Trading ideas. It was refreshing. Most wolyes I’d known couldn’t keep up with this kind of tactical discussion.

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Chapter 161 *

But Caelan could. He understood immediately. Added his own insights. But on my suggestions.

It reminded me why I’d respected him back when I was Angelina. He was rart. Strategic. Not just another brute Alpha.

“Remember that summit in Vancouver? 1 said suddenly. “When the Coastal Pack Alpha tried to challenge you?”

Caelan laughed. “He thought size was everything. Shifted into that massive brown wolf.”

“And you took him down in thirty seconds.

“Twenty-eight actually. But who’s counting?”

I actually laughed. A real laugh. Not the cold amusement I usually allowed myself. Something genuine.

Caelan looked at me. His expression softened. I missed that sound.

“What sound?”

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“Your laugh. You never laughed much as Angelina. Too busy being intimid ting.”

“Being intimidating was my full-time job.”

“It still is apparently. You terrified half the candidates yesterday.”

I shrugged. “Not my fault they can’t handle a little competition.”

We talked for another hour. About everything and nothing. Pack politics. Strategy. Shared memories from summits and meetings we’d both

attended.

1 was surprised by how much we had in common. The same taste in tactical literature. Similar philosophies on leadership. Even our sense of humor aligned in unexpected ways.

“Do you play chess?” Caelan asked suddenly.

“I used to. Haven’t had time recently.”

“We should play sometime. I’ve been looking for a worthy opponent.”

“Confident of yourself.”

‘Im undefeated in my pack.”

I smiled. “Then I’ll enjoy being your first loss.”

“We’ll see about that.”

The sun was starting to rise. The sky was turning from dark blue to lighter shades. Pink and orange and gold.

It was beautiful up here. Peaceful. I could see why Caelan had chosen this spot.

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Chapter 161*

“We should head back, he said reluctantly. You need rest before the Pit.

I nodded. Stood up. My body was stiff from sitting on the rock for so long

Carlan stood too. We walked back toward the helicopter together.

When we reached the helicopter, Caelan opened my door for me. I climbed in. He closed it and walked around to the pilot’s side.

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The flight back was quiet. I watched the sunrise through the window. The world looked different from up here. Smaller. More manageable.

We landed near the compound about twenty minutes later. The sun was fully up now. Early morning light washing over everything.

Caelan shut down the helicopter. Took off his headset.

“I need to handle some pack business,” he said.

I didn’t ask when he’d be back. Didn’t ask for details.

“Be careful,” I said. The words came out before I could stop them.

Caelan looked surprised. Then he smiled slightly. “I will. You too.”

I opened my door. Started to climb out.

“Aria.

I turned back.

“Thank you,” he said. “For trusting me with your story.”

I held his gaze for a moment. “Thank you for listening.”

We looked at each other for a few seconds. But neither of us moved closer No kiss. No embrace.

Just understanding. Something deeper than physical attraction.

“I should go, I said finally.

“Yeah.”

I climbed out of the helicopter. Started walking toward the barracks.

Behind me, I heard the rotors starting up again. The sound of the helicopter lifting off.

I didn’t look back. But part of me wanted to.

5:00 AM. I was already awake. Had been for twenty minutes.

I sat up. Swung my legs out of bed. The barracks were still dark. Everyone else was sleeping.

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Chapter 161.

I pulled on my workout clothes Laced up my running shoes. Grabbed a water bottle.

The door closed quietly behind me as I left.

Outside, the air was cold. Sharp. The kind of cold that wakes you up immediately.

1 started running. Easy pace at first. Then faster.

The compound was empty this early. Just me and the streetlights and the sound of my footsteps on pavement.

I ran for thirty minutes. Pushed myself harder than I needed to Felt my muscles warm up. My breathing steady.

By the time I got back to the barracks, I’d done five miles and a full stretching routine.

It was 3:45 AM when I walked into the bathroom. Took a quick shower. Changed into clean tactical gear.

When I came out, other candidates were starting to wake up. Groaning. Hiting snooze buttons.

I grabbed my gear bag. Started checking my supplies even though I’d checked them last night.

Around me, the barracks came to life. Slow. Reluctant.

Kenneth stumbled toward the bathroom. His hair was sticking up in all directions. “Coffee. Need coffee.”

“There’s coffee at the assembly point,” Tom said.

“That’s too far. I need it now.”

Someone threw a pillow at him. “Shut up, Kenneth. Some of us are trying to sleep.”

“It’s 5:50! We have to be at assembly in ten minutes!”

That got people moving. Suddenly everyone was scrambling. Getting dressed. Grabbing gear. Rushing to the bathroom.

I sat on my bunk. Waited for the chaos to settle.

At 6:00 AM exactly, we gathered at the assembly point. A large concrete area near the compound entrance.

Felix stood at the front. Five military transport trucks lined up behind him

Most candidates looked rough. Red eyes. Messy hair. Clutching coffee cups like lifelines.

I stood near the back. Relaxed.

Felix checked his watch. “Everyone’s here. Good. Load up. We leave in five minutes.”

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Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully