The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Too Late!

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Evelyn’s POV

The determination in Elliot’s eyes was something I’d never seen before. It made it impossible to doubt he meant every word. Sitting here

in the warm spring water, surrounded by actual friends and laughter, I let myself believe that maybe things really could be different.

Maybe I’d finally found where I belonged.

“Don’t overthink it,” Elliot said, gently patting my head. “Just enjoy this.”

I nodded and settled back into the perfect temperature. The hot spring hit just right when I sat down, the water came up to my chest.

My dress floated around me, but honestly, I didn’t care. The heat chased away the night chill, and everything felt right.

The triplets had all moved closer without me really noticing. Magnus sat on my right, his broad shoulder almost touching mine. Lucian

was on my left, making casual conversation. Orion sat across from me, not saying much but catching my eye every now and then.

Elliot had climbed out and was perched on the stone edge with some leftover grilled meat and a glass of wine, looking totally relaxed.

Check those two out, Lucian said quietly, nodding toward something behind me.

I turned and couldn’t help grinning. Milo and Nadia were sitting close together a little ways off, with Milo whispering something in her

ear that made her giggle.

“They’re moving fast,” Magnus observed. “Yesterday they were just messing with each other, and now they’re…”

“It’s called love at first sight,” I said. “Nadia told me she thought Milo was special the second she saw him.”

“Same with Milo, Orion added – which was rare for him. “He was asking about Nadia all last night.”

Watching them together made my chest warm up. Nadia deserved to be treated like this. And Milo, for all his joking around, got serious

when it mattered.

“Better watch out, Milo,” Elliot called from the edge. “Nadia’s stepdad’s a scientist. Piss him off and he might invent some weird shit to

use on you.’

“Elliot!” I scolded, but everyone cracked up.

Time slipped by in warmth and easy conversation. We talked about everything – training disasters, embarrassing childhood stories, future plans. The guys made harmless jokes, and for once I found myself naturally joining in instead of staying quiet.

But exhaustion was creeping in. Today had been a marathon morning training, birthday surprises, dinner, and everything else. The hot spring’s heat made my eyelids heavy.

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11:35 Thu, Jan 8 M

Chapter 20 Too Late!

“Getting sleepy? Magnus noticed me yawning.

A little…” I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay alert.

“Long day, Lucian said. ‘Want to head back?”

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I shook my head, not wanting to break this perfect moment. But another yawn betrayed me, bringing tears to my eyes.

“Alright, birthday girl needs to go home,” Elliot set down his glass and stood. “Come on.”

‘I can walk myself,” I protested as he approached.

But he was already leaning down, scooping me up before I could react. “You’re half asleep. What if you trip?”

“Elliot! Put me down!” I struggled, my wet clothes clinging uncomfortably.

“Wait, Magnus stood too. “Why doesn’t Evie just stay here tonight? We’ve got guest rooms.”

“Yeah,” Lucian agreed. “Save us the drive.”

“And it’s the weekend,” Orion added. “No school tomorrow.”

“Really, I don’t need to Elliot, put me down!” My struggle wasn’t about not wanting to stay. It was because my soaked shit was sticking to my back, and if Elliot shifted his grip, he might feel the wounds underneath. Those bruises were extra tender after soaking in hot

water.

“Stop squirming, Elliot adjusted his hold to get a better grip.

His palm pressed against my back.

I couldn’t stop the sharp intake of breath that escaped.

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