The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57 James’s Panic

Chapter 57 James’s Panic

James’s POV:

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“So this is the shortcut you were talking about?” I said, forcing down my anger as I looked at Evelyn walking ahead of us.

She didn’t look much better herself.

Her once-proud red armor was caked with mud, and the sharp confidence on her face had twisted into something tense and ugly.

She spun around when she heard me, green light flickering wildly in her eyes. “What are you trying to say, James? Blaming me now? If I weren’t trying to help your run-down family regain its honor, do you think I’d take a risk like this?”

“For me?” I shot back. “Or for your ridiculous obsession with winning? If you hadn’t insisted on competing with Cindy, we could’ve taken the main road. It would’ve been slower, but at least it was safe. If we get trapped here-or miss the battle window-King Ryken will have our heads!”

“Shut up!” Evelyn screamed. “I’m doing this for victory! Once we break through here, we’ll appear behind the enemies. That’s a legendary achievement!”

She grabbed at her hair, her voice shaking. “Cindy is probably waiting on the front lines just to laugh at me. She thinks going to Southreach makes her a hero? Please. She’s only riding on the connections her dead father left behind. Silverpeak Pack is gone. What can she really do on her own?”

Just then, a few of the female medics collapsed from exhaustion. The supply cart they were pushing tipped over and sank into the mud.

Evelyn saw it. She strode over and lashed the lead medic with her whip.

“Useless!” she shouted. “Why are you crying? It’s because of weak, delicate she-wolves like you that the army moves so slowly! All you know is to stay home and raise children. Put you on the battlefield, and you can’t even push a cart!”

That medic covered the bloody mark on her face. She didn’t dare talk back. She simply lowered their head and silently dug the medicine crates out of the mud.

Watching this, a deep chill crept into my chest.

Evelyn was a she-wolf, but her hostility toward her own kind ran deeper than that of the most narrow- minded men.

In her way of thinking, only she was special. All other she-wolves were nothing more than tools for bearing children and dead weight.

I couldn’t help thinking of Cindy.

She was born into a noble family, but she never looked down on anyone.

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18:05 Sat, Jan 10 @

R

Chapter 57 James’s Panic

61

+10 Free Coins

During that year at the Duskfang Pack, she treated servants, elderly Omegas, and even the rough guards Evelyn had brought with her with the same calm respect and quiet kindness.

Cindy’s strength was contained, like deep, still water. Evelyn’s strength was loud and sharp, like the poisoned thorns in this swamp-hurting others and herself at the same time.

“What are you staring at?” Evelyn noticed my gaze and let out a cold laugh. “What, feeling sorry for them? Think I’m cruel? James, don’t forget. Mercy doesn’t win wars. Only wolves like me survive in the wild. Someone like Cindy, who grew up protected by her family, belongs in a garden, chasing butterflies.”

With that, she turned away and continued barking orders at the soldiers to move faster.

I stood there, watching her back, filled with anger and bitterness. For the first time, I felt the image that once drew me in-the brave heroine on the battlefield-slowly falling apart, revealing the ugly soul

underneath.

And for this woman, I had abandoned my destined mate with my own hands.

A fear I had never known before wrapped tight around my heart.

If this trip to Southreach failed and Evelyn’s promises turned out to be nothing but empty words, then I would be truly doomed.

18:06 Sat, Jan 10