The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17: This Is All for You

Evelyn’s POV

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Watching them rush out like that, disappointment hit me harder than I expected. Of course. I still didn’t really belong in their circle, did

1? Maybe this whole party was just them being polite.

“Don’t overthink it, sweetheart.” Luna Isabella must’ve read my face because she came over and squeezed my shoulder. “They’ll be back.”

“Those boys are up to something,” Delta Griffin chuckled. “Probably planning another surprise.”

“Come on, let’s finish this cake,” Diana pulled me back to the table. “Can’t let all this deliciousness go to waste.”

The adults kept me distracted with stories and jokes, but I kept glancing at the door. Where had they gone in such a hurry?

“Evelyn,” Alpha Adam said, “Griffin tells me you’ve got real tactical skills.”

“I just… think things through, I guess.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Gamma Thomas jumped in. “That predator-prey game was brilliant strategy.”

Half an hour crawled by before the front door burst open again.

Magnus’s POV

“Move it! Mall closes early today!” Nadia was practically dragging us behind her.

All six of us sprinted toward Twilight Mall. When she’d suddenly remembered Evelyn needed dresses for the mating ball, we’d all just

stared at her. But seeing how panicked she looked, we got it. This mattered.

“Split up,’ I ordered once we hit the main strip. “Everyone grab one or two outfits. Keep it simple, elegant. Nothing that’ll make her

uncomfortable.”

“On it!” Everyone scattered.

I ducked into this upscale boutique, scanning through racks of dresses. Evelyn was tiny and needed something that’d show her off without making her self-conscious. Finally found this deep blue knee-length number with a classy neckline and subtle waist pleats.

“Gift wrap this,” I told the clerk.

“Magnus? Shopping for women’s clothes?”

I turned around. Acacia stood there with this weird gleam in her eyes.

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Chapter 17. This Is All for You

Just helping a friend, I said, moving toward the register.

“Wait! She grabbed my arm. ‘Is this for me? I knew you still cared!”

I yanked free. “No.”

Her voice went sharp. “Then who?”

“None of your business.” I took the wrapped dress and headed for the exit.

But she followed. “It’s for that freak Evelyn, isn’t it? You all went to her birthday!”

I stopped and looked at her. “Yeah. So?”

“She doesn’t deserve your attention!” Acacia was practically shrieking. “I should be the one

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“Enough.” I cut her off cold. ‘I’m telling you one last time, Acacia. There’s nothing between us. There never was. That night was a drunken

mistake.

Her face went white. A mistake?”

“Yeah. A mistake.” My voice stayed flat and final. “And quit messing with Evelyn. She’s our friend. Keep targeting her and you’ll deal with

me.”

I didn’t wait for an answer. Just walked away.

Evelyn’s POV

The door opened and all six of them piled in, arms full of shopping bags.

“Surprise round two!” Nadia bounced toward me. “Happy birthday!*

“What’s all this?’ I stared at the bags.

“Clothes! For you!” Her eyes were sparkling. I just remembered the mating ball’s coming up and you need gorgeous dresses. But the mall

was about to close, so I had to drag everyone along.”

“Sorry we bailed on you,’ she looked guilty. ‘Should’ve explained. I just got so worried about finding you something perfect…”

My eyes started watering again. They d left to buy me clothes.

‘No more crying!” Milo declared. “Tiny’s hit her tear limit for today!”

Everyone laughed.

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