The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Coming to Find Me This Late, Is There Something?

Evelyn’s POV

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The boys all looked up when I stood, their gazes lingering on me in a way that made my skin crawl. Something was definitely up with them tonight.

“We’re heading to bed,’ I announced, pulling Nadia with me. “Take your time with dinner.”

We escaped upstairs, leaving behind whatever weirdness they had going on.

Back in the room, Nadia crashed the second her head hit the pillow. Today’s challenge had wiped her out completely. She’d done great,

but the physical toll was real.

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I lay staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow was the final day I wondered what this “special challenge” would be. The way everyone was acting

all mysterious made my stomach twist.

My brain kept replaying today’s tactics, analyzing every move. Could I have done better? Probably. There was always room for

improvement.

Footsteps echoed from downstairs – the boys finishing up and heading to their rooms. The pack house settled into its usual nighttime

quiet.

Just when I thought I’d get some decent sleep, soft knocking came from my door. So gentle I almost missed it.

I waited. Another knock, barely audible.

Who the hell is that this late?

I slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Nadia, and tiptoed to the door. When I cracked it open, I found Orion standing there

looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

He was mid-knock, freezing when he saw me. His face broke into this relieved smile, and he actually started to reach for me before catching himself. The way he glanced nervously at the other doors made me want to laugh.

The dignified future Alpha, sneaking around like a kid afraid of getting caught.

I couldn’t help the quiet laugh that escaped.

Orion grinned back, then gently pulled me into a hug. His warmth surrounded me, carrying that familiar pine scent that somehow made everything feel safer.

I hugged him back, and all my anxiety about tomorrow just… disappeared. We stood there in comfortable silence, just breathing.

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Chapter 40: Coming to Find Me This Late, Is There Something?

When we finally pulled apart, he kept hold of my hand.

“You’re gonna freeze out here barefoot,” he said softly, eyes full of concern. “The floor’s cold.”

I looked down at my bare feet. “Well, maybe if someone hadn’t come knocking at my door in the middle of the night…”

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His face flashed with guilt, then joy. “Sorry.”

“So,” I dropped the teasing, “what’s up? This about tomorrow’s selection? Whatever you guys were talking about with Luna Isabella?”

Orion nodded, then shook his head. “Yeah, but not just that.”

He took a breath, like he was picking his words carefully. “Mom did tell us about tomorrow. I can’t give you details, but…” He looked

directly at me. “Whatever happens, remember it’s just a selection. Don’t panic. Trust your gut.”

The serious tone made me even more curious, but I knew he wouldn’t say more.

“That’s it?”

Orion suddenly looked embarrassed, avoiding my eyes. “Actually… no.”

I waited.

“I wanted to see you,” his voice got quieter. “Tomorrow might be really intense, and I don’t know what’ll happen, so…” He met my gaze again, and there was something tender there I’d never seen before. “I needed to see you one more time. Make sure you’re okay.”

My heart did this weird skip thing. The air felt thick, and I could hear my pulse in my ears. This was new territory for me.

To cover my panic, I reached out for another hug. “Thanks for caring.”

Orion hugged me back, tighter this time. I could feel his heartbeat through his shirt, just as fast as mine.

When I started to pull away, he held on. I was about to ask what was wrong when he slowly lowered his head. His breath was warm

against my cheek.

Then his lips brushed my forehead.

The kiss was feather-light, but it froze me completely, Warmth spread from that spot through my entire body like electricity. My face caught fire instantly.

Holy shit. First kiss. Even if it’s just my forehead.

Orion stepped back fast, his face red as mine. “I…”

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Chapter 40: Coming to Find Me This Late, Is There Something?

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Seeing him all flustered was actually kind of funny. This confident guy who’d just been so gentle and bold, now stammering like a nervous

kid.

“You’re such a sap, I managed, trying to sound normal even though my voice shook. “Get back to bed before the others catch us.”

His expression got complicated at the mention of the others. He glanced at Magnus and Lucian’s doors like he was worried about

something.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “You should sleep too. Tomorrow…”

He didn’t finish, but I got it.

“I’ll give it everything I’ve got,” I promised.

He looked at me one more time, then disappeared into his room. I stood there for a second, touching my forehead. It still felt warm.

What the hell was that?

The feeling was completely foreign. I didn’t know what to call it or what to do with it. But it made me… happy.

“Well, well, well.”

I spun around to find Nadia propped up in bed, grinning like she’d won the lottery.

“You were awake?!”

“Obviously. You two were having your little romantic moment right outside the door. How could I sleep through that?”

My face burned hotter. “We weren’t being romantic!”

“Oh really?” Nadia sat up fully, her grin getting wider. “Then who just got kissed on the forehead? ‘You’re such a sap,’ she says, but inside

she’s probably melting.”

‘Nadia!” I dove at the bed, trying to shut her up.

She dodged easily. “Who would’ve thought our tough little Evie would have such a soft moment. Late-night visits from future Alphas-

how cute!”

“It wasn’t a late-night visit! He just wanted to talk about tomorrow!”

“Just talking requires that much hugging? And forehead kisses?”

I had no comeback for that.

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