The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 26

Orion’s POV

The guest room felt like a tomb. I sat beside the bed, watching Evelyn’s chest rise and fall the only proof she was still with us.

Three days. Three fucking days since she’d collapsed in my arms, and nothing.

4

Magnus leaned against the wall, his usual composure cracked. His fingers drummed against his thigh that nervous tic he’d had since we were kids. Lucian couldn’t sit still, pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

Elliot looked like hell. Bloodshot eyes, stubble, clothes wrinkled from sleeping in that chair. Milo had gone completely quiet, which was maybe the most disturbing thing of all. Nadia held Evelyn’s hand, whispering to her like she might wake up if she just heard the right

words.

“This is bullshit,” I muttered, running my hands through my hair.

We’d hit every lead, questioned everyone we could think of. The school’s security cameras had mysteriously malfunctioned right when Evelyn got hurt. Even the Omegas who usually knew everything were suddenly deaf and dumb.

Someone with serious pull was covering this up. And I had a pretty good idea who.

The thought of Acacia’s smug face made my wolf snarl. If she was behind this…

Evelyn stirred.

“Evelyn?” Nadia shot forward. “Are you awake?”

We all crowded around the bed. I grabbed her hand without thinking cold and small, making me want to transfer every bit of warmth I

had to her.

Her eyelashes fluttered, then opened. Those smoky blue eyes looked confused, scanning our faces with growing awareness.

Her cheeks turned pink. “Um… why is everyone here?”

The relief hit so hard I almost laughed. Lucian actually did laugh, a sound caught between hysteria and joy.

“Look around,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’re in the pack house. Where else would we be?’

She glanced around, finally taking in where she was. Her face went redder, all the way to her ears.

After the laughter died down, reality set in. We needed answers.

1/4

18:11 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 26 Why Didn’t You Tell Us?

I reached out and lifted her chin, making her meet my eyes. She tried to look away, but I wasn’t letting her escape this time.

Evelyn’s POV

The moment Orion’s fingers touched my chin, I knew the interrogation was coming.

Their faces said everything worry, anger, guilt all twisted together. No more hiding behind half-truths and deflection.

“Now, Orion’s voice was soft but had steel underneath, “tell us what really happened.”

My throat felt like sandpaper. Where could I even start?

“Also,” he continued, “when did your wolf awaken? Why didn’t you tell us?”

The room went dead quiet. Everyone was staring at me, waiting.

“I…” The words stuck. “My wolf awakened when I was fourteen.”

Shocked gasps echoed around the room. Normal wolves didn’t awaken until sixteen – I was two years early.

“Fourteen?” Magnus’s voice was sharp with disbelief.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Elliot’s question came out like a plea.

76

I looked at his bloodshot eyes and felt that familiar ache in my chest. My brother, who’d spent years running from everything, was finally

standing his ground.

“You really want to know?” I asked quietly.

“Of course!” Elliot practically shouted. “You’re my sister! Whatever happened, I should’ve known!”

I closed my eyes, those memories rushing back like ice water.

I got beaten up. Left for dead in Silver Pines.”

The temperature in the room dropped.

“Stayed there for two days.” My voice came out flat, detached. “If my wolf hadn’t awakened early to protect me, I would ve died.”

“Who?” Orion’s voice carried murder. “Who did it?”

I shook my head. “You guys already know. You just don’t want to admit it.”

2/4

18:11 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 26: Why Didn’t You Tell Us?

The truth hit them like a slap. Yeah, they knew. They’d always known. They just chose not to see it.

“We…” Milo started, then just closed his eyes in pain.

A knock interrupted the heavy silence.

*Kids? Luna Isabella’s voice came through the door. “Can I come in?’

“Come in, Mom, Lucian answered.

The door opened and Isabella walked in with that grace she always had. When she saw I was awake, her whole face lit up. She came over

and pulled me into a gentle hug.

“Oh sweetheart, you’re finally awake. Relief flooded her voice. ‘We were all so worried.”

–

Her embrace was warm, safe everything I’d never had growing up. My eyes started burning.

“Thank you, Luna Isabella,” I whispered.

She pulled back and immediately picked up on the tension filling the room. Her knowing smile appeared.

“Alright, enough with the twenty questions,” she said, shooting the boys a look. “Let’s get some food in you first. You haven’t eaten in

three days.”

She turned to the boys, her tone carrying gentle reproach. “Boys, if Evelyn doesn’t want to talk about something, that means it’s not time yet. Your job is taking care of her, not interrogating her.”

She paused, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Besides, there’s something important coming up that I’m sure Evelyn won’t want to miss.”

*Something important?” Lucian looked confused. “Mom, what event? You never mentioned anything.”

Isabella just smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out when the time comes. Right now, everyone needs to get downstairs. Dora’s made enough

food to feed an army.”

With that, she swept out of the room.

We all looked at each other. Isabella had skillfully defused the bomb, but the unfinished conversation still hung in the air.

Nadia broke first, standing up and stretching. “Well, Luna Isabella’s right. Let’s go eat. You must be starving, Evie.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify