The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12: You’re Beautiful Tonight

Evelyn’s POV

The mood shifted so fast I could practically feel the temperature drop. The triplets exchanged looks that screamed “complicated.”

“What rumors?” Nadia asked.

“She’s been telling everyone she’s gonna be the future Luna,” Elliot said. “Claims she’s got some special thing going with the triplets.”

“That’s bullshit,” Nadia frowned. “What makes her think she can just decide that?”

Awkward silence. Magnus cleared his throat. “It’s… complicated.”

“We screwed up last summer,” Lucian’s voice got tight. “End of training party, we drank way too much…”

“Did some really stupid shit,” Magnus picked up where he left off. “Stuff we regret.”

My face burned. I didn’t need the details to know this was definitely not a conversation I wanted to be part of.

“I was there too, but I said no,” Orion’s voice could’ve cut glass. “Even drunk off my ass, I knew it was wrong.”

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“Exactly,” Magnus said firmly. “It was just… drunken stupidity. Didn’t mean anything. But Acacia’s acting like we’re engaged or something.”

“She’s been dropping hints ever since,” Lucian made a bitter face. “Already planning our ‘future’ together.”

“Is that why she’s been such a bitch lately?” I asked quietly.

“Part of it,” Elliot nodded. “She thinks that night gave her some kind of claim on us. She’s dead wrong.”

“Completely wrong,” Orion emphasized. “The Moon Goddess picks our mates. Not some random hookup,”

“Speaking of which,” Nadia jumped in, clearly wanting to change the subject, “I heard you guys have a mating ball here? When’s that

happen?’

The guys visibly relaxed, grateful for the shift.

“Every fall,” Lucian explained. “Usually for eighteen-plus wolves who haven’t found their mates yet. Though high schoolers can go now

too.”

“Sounds awesome!” Nadia’s eyes lit up. “Can we go?”

“Course you can,” Milo laughed. “Though you’re still pretty young. Evie’s what, fifteen?”

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Chapter 12: You’re Beautiful Tonight

“Yeah, fifteen.” I nodded. “Nadia’s a few months older.”

:

“We’re all sixteen,” Magnus said. “But you can’t actually sense your mate until after your eighteenth birthday anyway.”

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“Still fun though,” Orion added. “You learn the social stuff, see pack traditions. And…” he paused, ‘real mate bonds aren’t about choices or

random hookups. It’s something deeper than that.”

His words seemed to hit the triplets hard. They all got this thoughtful look.

*Plus you get to wear gorgeous dresses!” Nadia said excitedly, totally missing the undercurrents. “Evie, we have to go!”

My stomach twisted. A ball meant being seen by everyone – exactly what I spent my life avoiding.

“I don’t really know how to dance…” I said quietly.

“We can teach you,” Lucian offered. “Basic steps aren’t that hard.”

“Yeah, and…” Nadia suddenly jumped up. “Luna Isabella!”

We all turned toward the terrace entrance where Luna Isabella was walking over with a tray of desserts.

“What’s got everyone so excited?” she asked warmly.

“We were talking about the mating ball,” Nadia said directly. “I was wondering what color would look best on Evie.”

Luna Isabella studied me thoughtfully. “Blues would be perfect on her – they’d bring out her eyes and hair. Deep sapphire or silver-blue

would both be stunning.”

“I knew it!” Nadia clapped her hands. “I can already picture it!”

Heat rushed to my face and I stared down at my hands.

“Evie, don’t be shy,” Luna isabella said gently. “You’re beautiful tonight, and you’d be absolutely gorgeous in a gown,”

“Okay, okay, stop,” I waved my hands frantically. “Stop talking about me like I’m not here.”

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