The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: I Want to See Your Real Abilities

Evelyn’s POV

Sentinel Conrad looked us over like he was sizing up cattle at auction. “Simple test combat. Pair up and show me what you’ve got.”

My pulse jumped. Fighting in front of an actual Sentinel? This could be everything.

“Rules are simple,” Conrad continued. “Don’t hold back, but don’t put anyone in the hospital either. I want your real skills, not some fancy

show.”

People started eyeing each other, figuring out partners. I was about to grab Nadia when Conrad’s voice cut through the chatter.

“I’ll pick the matchups.”

His eyes swept the group and landed on me. “Evelyn, you’re with Elliot.”

Elliot? I blinked in surprise. My brother never went easy on me, which was actually perfect. I needed someone who’d push me hard.

“Magnus versus Lucian, Orion versus Milo…” Conrad rattled off the rest quickly.

Once everyone found their spots, he stepped back. “Go.”

Elliot was already in his fighting stance. Being groomed as the next Beta meant his skills were no joke. But I wasn’t planning to roll over

either.

We started testing each other out. Elliot’s attacks came heavy and controlled, each punch packing serious power. I stayed light on my feet, weaving around him, looking for openings.

“Don’t hold back on me, Evie,” he said quietly, throwing a hard right.

I ducked under it and swept at his legs. He jumped, adjusting mid-air to drive a knee toward my shoulder. I rolled backward, barely

dodging.

The pace picked up fast. We both stopped playing around, fists and feet connecting with loud smacks. Sweat stung my eyes, but my focus

was razor-sharp.

Elliot’s straight punch broke through my guard, nailing my shoulder hard. The impact sent me stumbling back, but it also lit a fire under

1. I took a breath and switched tactics.

No way I could match his strength, so I’d use technique instead. I started mixing up my rhythm- quick bursts followed by sudden retreats. The irregular pattern threw him off.

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Chapter 32 I Want to See Your Real Abilities

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Then I saw my shot. When Elliot threw another heavy punch, instead of dodging, I stepped inside his reach. I rammed my shoulder into

his chest while grabbing his arm, using an over-the-shoulder throw to bring him down.

Elliot hit the ground with a surprised grunt, then looked up with a grin. “Nice one.”

“Time,” Conrad called out.

I helped Elliot to his feet, both of us breathing hard. Around us, the other fights were wrapping up too.

Conrad walked in front of us, his face giving nothing away. “Not terrible. Better than I expected, anyway.”

Was that actually a compliment? We all exchanged uncertain looks.

“But,” his tone shifted, “fighting isn’t just muscle and moves. Evelyn, why’d you go for that throw?”

Being singled out made my stomach flip, but I answered straight. “Elliot’s stronger than me. In a slugfest, I’m screwed. Getting close limits his power, and he wasn’t ready for it.”

Conrad nodded slightly. “Good read. Know your strengths, know your weaknesses, adapt on the fly – that matters.” He turned to the others. *Remember that. Sentinels face all kinds of nasty shit. Pure muscle won’t cut it.”

He went through each pair’s fight, pointing out what worked and what didn’t. Every comment was dead-on.

That’s it for today,” Conrad finally said. “Selection’s coming up. Hope you can do better than this.”

We started packing up when a voice made everyone’s skin crawl.

“Wait!”

Acacia strutted onto the field in designer training gear and full makeup. She looked like she was hitting a photo shoot, not a workout.

“I wanna try out for the selection too,” she announced, chin up, staring right at the triplets. “And I want you guys to help me train.”

The confidence radiating off her was unreal. “You’ll help me, right?’

Orion actually snorted. “Who said we’d help you?’

“Yeah,” Lucian wasn’t even trying to be polite. “You wanna participate? Train yourself.”

Magnus was more direct. “We don’t have time for your bullshit.”

Acacia’s face crumpled like she couldn’t believe the rejection. She bit her lip, shot me a venomous look, then tears started flowing. “How can you be so mean?”

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Conrad had been watching this whole circus with cold eyes. Now he spoke up. “Kid, if you really want in, show up day after tomorrow. But I’m warning you this isn’t summer camp. You get hurt, that’s on you.”

His flat tone carried enough menace to make anyone think twice. Acacia wiped at her crocodile tears, gave me one last death glare, then tan off.

‘Jesus, what a drama queen,” Milo muttered.

Prince Alistair watched Acacia’s retreat with interest, then turned to me. “You sure are popular, Evelyn.”

I had no clue how to respond to that and just managed an awkward smile.

“Alright, everyone get lost,” Conrad waved us off. “Rest up. You’ll need to be sharp day after tomorrow.”

People started drifting away. I hung back, my mind still churning over the fight and Conrad’s feedback. Every detail mattered this stuff could make the difference in the real selection.

“Evie.”

I turned to find the triplets waiting for me.

“Come on, let’s head back together,” Magnus said.

I nodded and jogged to catch up. Acacia’s little scene already felt like ancient history.

But now I had bigger things to focus on. Everything had to go into preparation.

Conrad’s POV

Watching those kids walk away, I pulled out my notebook and started scribbling observations.

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