The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169: It’s a Trap!

Evelyn’s POV

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A decoy operation, Taric said, his gaze unwavering. “Brandon expects to find you and you three will give him exactly what he wants – on our terms.”

“So we’re bait?” Sophia asked bluntly.

“Only if you volunteer,” Taric emphasized. “This isn’t an order. I know you all have personal scores to settle with Brandon, but I need clear heads out there.

The three of us exchanged glances. No words needed. Brandon had to pay, and being part of that justice felt right.

“We’re in,” I said.

Taric nodded and handed us each a small vial. “The goal is to capture Brandon alve and get information about the Rogue King.”

Got it. Capture, don’t kill,” I said, pocketing the vial.

“Head northwest, establish your position here,” he marked a spot on the map. “Check in hourly. If anything changes, I want to know immediately.”

Five hours later, we were in position. The mountain air bit at my skin as we set up our observation post overlooking the misty pine forests. The distant canyon was barely visible through the haze.

“How close are we to Polaris territory?” Sophia asked, arranging her gear.

*About forty kilometers,” I said, closing my eyes. “Close enough to feel the pack, but too far to reach them easily.”

Freya set up the monitoring equipment. “Cyrus says these rogues use regular phones. We might pick up their signals.”

Night fell. Sophia took first watch while Freya and I tried to rest in shifts. Sleep Wouldn’t come. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw those dungeon walls, felt

those chains, remembered Brandon’s twisted smile.

You should sleep, Sophia said through our link. Tomorrow could be rough.

I know, it’s just… I sighed. Something feels off about all this.

I feel it too, Freya chimed in. Like we’re being watched.

At dawn, we spread out in a two-kilometer radius, searching for Brandon’s people

Movement, Freya’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts. Southeast, about five hundred meters. I hear voices and a fire.

Sophia and I converged on her position, staying low to avoid being spotted. Through a gap in the bushes, I saw three men around a small campfire, arguing.

“That bitch has gotta be around here somewhere, one complained. Brandon’s cy making us circle this dump,”

‘Shut up,’ another snapped. You questioning the Alpha now?”

‘I’m just saying, if this Evelyn chick is so damn important, why send just the three of us? We’d be screwed if we ran into actual Sentinels.”

The third pulled out a phone. “Why don’t you call Brandon yourself with your briant ideas?”

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10:01 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 169: It’s a Trap!

Notice they’re using phones, not mind links? Sophia observed.

They probably don’t have a real pack bond, I replied. That gives us an edge.

We quickly formed a plan: Sophia would take the right, Freya the left, and I’d approach from the front.

Watch first, I reminded them. Let’s see if they drop any useful info.

The men kept complaining, oblivious to our presence. I strained to hear anything about Brandon’s location or the Rogue King.

‘Time’s up,” one suddenly stood, pulling out a small device. “Gotta activate the signal.”

A chill ran down my spine.

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Fall back! I warned. It’s a trap!

Almost instantly, growls erupted from all directions. A powerful impact wave hit the area. I barely dodged the first attacker, but another immediately lunged

for my legs.

In the chaos, I lost track of Sophia and Freya. I focused on the immediate threat dodging sideways, grabbing my attacker’s arm and using his momentum to drive my knee into his chest. He staggered back but recovered quickly.

I drew Ori’s silver dagger, feeling its reassuring weight. This wasn’t just a weapon it connected me to home, to family.

A second enemy tried sneaking behind me. I kicked backward hard, hitting his knee. He fell with a pained yell but grabbed my ankle, pulling me down. I rolled away from the first attacker’s lunge, slashing at the hand gripping my ankle.

“Bitch!” he spat, releasing me. “Brandon said bring you back alive, but he didn’t say we couldn’t rough you up first!”

I jumped to my feet, feeling my wolf stirring. The urge to shift was strong, but I needed to stay human to use my weapons effectively.

The first attacker charged again. I sidestepped and buried my dagger in his thigh. He howled in pain, his steps faltering. I pressed my advantage – elbow to his temple, kick to his stomach. He went flying.

I turned to face the second attacker, who’d drawn a hunting knife.

‘Finally caught you,” he leered. “Brandon wants you alive, but we can still have some fun first.”

‘Tell Brandon if he wants me, he should come himself,” I taunted.

He lunged. I dodged, grabbed his wrist and twisted until I heard bone crack. As I stumbled, I drove my knee into his chin, then followed with a spinning

kick that dropped him.

Sophia’s cry for help cut through the air. I looked over to see her pinned against tree, a knife at her throat. Nearby, Freya faced two attackers, with one already down.

I crept behind the man holding Sophia and pressed my dagger against his neck. here’s Brandon? Why’s he hiding?

“You’re nothing special, he snarled. “When the Alpha’s done with you, you’ll be ash like the others.”

He swung back suddenly. My dagger sliced his throat. Still fighting, he grabbed for me. I’ll strip you bare and hang you up for everyone!

Something snapped inside me. Every bit of rage and humiliation from that dungen erupted at once, I stabbed him repeatedly until he stopped moving.

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10:02 Mon, Jan 12

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Chapter 169: It’s a Trap!

“Evelyn, stop! Sophia’s voice cut through. “Freya needs help!”

I blinked back to reality. Freya was still fighting, her movements slowing from exaustion.

Enemy squad confirmed, seven total, Brandon not present. Four down, pursuing hostes! I reported to headquarters.

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