The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45: I’m Not Dying

Evelyn’s POV

Sentinel Conrad strode over, taking in the carnage. His eyes swept from the scattered upperclassmen to Nadia bleeding in my arms.

“Sentinel Conrad…” I started.

He held up a hand, then crouched beside Nadia. That’s when I saw it – her bracelet was shattered. The golden qualification mark had

dimmed to nothing, cracks spider-webbing across the surface.

Nadia noticed too, lifting her wrist weakly. “Well, that sucks.”

“Don’t worry about that right now,” Conrad said gently. “Just rest.”

I realized I was still in wolf form and quickly shifted back, fumbling for clothes. Conrad looked away while I got dressed.

“We’ll handle the cleanup,” he said. “You need to keep moving.”

“But Nadia – ”

“Medical team’s already coming.”

I looked down at my best friend, guilt eating me alive. She was pale as paper but still trying to smile.

“Stop looking at me like I’m dying,” she said weakly. “It’s just a scratch.”

“Go.” She pushed my arm. “Don’t let these assholes win. Get to that final venue, kick ass, then come back and tell me everything.”

‘I can’t just leave you here.”

“Evie. Her voice got serious. “Promise me you’ll win. Not just for you for me too.”

I nodded, tears blurring my vision. “I promise.”

Walking alone through the dark forest sucked. Nadia’s smile kept flashing through my mind.

If I’d been faster… if I’d been stronger…

No. Self-pity wouldn’t help anyone. I had to win this thing.

18:18 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 45: I’m Not Dying

Without spare clothes, shifting was off the table. The energy boost from Orion was still holding up, so at least I wasn’t dead on my feet.

The sky had turned black, leaving only that massive screen on the distant mountain as my guide. Lights twinkled in the valley below the

final venue.

Then this weird feeling hit me.

I stopped, frowning at a patch of dark forest to my left. Nothing there but trees and shadows. But something was pulling me that way, like

an invisible rope tugging at my chest.

The smart move was to head straight for the valley. Others were probably already there.

But the feeling kept getting stronger.

Screw it.

I changed direction, following whatever was calling me. This was close to Polaris’s border – middle of nowhere territory.

I tripped over something and went sprawling. As I pushed myself up, massive shapes materialized from the darkness.

My blood turned to ice.

Sentinels. Six or seven of them in wolf form, easily twice the size of normal werewolves. They’d formed a tight circle around whatever I’d

tripped over.

One shifted back to human form. Conrad. Again.

‘Weren’t you just in Silver Pines?” I blurted. “How’s Nadia?”

His face was stone. “She’s safe. We were heading back when another participant said they saw you coming this way. His eyes narrowed.

‘Why are you here?”

‘I felt something weird from this direction.”

Conrad’s frown deepened. He glanced toward whatever the other Sentinels were blocking.

“What is that thing?” I tried to crane my neck around him. “Can I see?”

Another Sentinel ran over, whispering urgently in Conrad’s ear. I caught fragments “blood traces” and “marks.”

Conrad’s expression went grim. After a long pause, he looked at me and said flatly, “No.”

Then he dropped a bomb. “Notify everyone – selection’s suspended. Recall all participants immediately. Get Alpha Adam and Alpha King Nathan back to the pack house now.”

2/5

18:18 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 45: I’m Not Dying

“What?” My jaw dropped. ‘Suspended? Why?”

Conrad ignored my question. ‘Secure the item. Leave no traces. Move!”

‘You two,” he pointed at a pair of Sentinels, “escort Evelyn back to the city.”

One shifted to wolf form and lowered himself so I could climb on.

“Wait, what the hell happened?” I demanded.

“Not now.” Conrad’s tone killed any argument. “Go. Now.”

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The ride back was insane. Everything blurred past in streaks of green and brown. Twenty minutes later, we were back in Polaris. The dead city had come alive lights in every window, people in the streets, everyone talking about the sudden suspension.

–

The Sentinels dropped me at the pack house. The second I walked through the door, familiar voices hit me.

“Evie!” Elliot rushed over first. “You okay?”

“Where’s Nadia?” Milo looked panicked.

That’s when I saw her – already bandaged and leaning against Milo on the couch. Still pale, but alert. She grinned when she saw me.

“I’m fine! Their healing magic is no joke.”

Magnus stood by the window with Alpha Adam, both looking grim. Alpha King Nathan was there too. Lucian jumped up from the couch.

And Orion…

He’d been staring out the window, but the moment he heard me, he spun around. Relief flooded his face.

Then he was right in front of me.

“You okay?’ His voice was rough with barely contained worry.

Before I could answer, he pulled me into his arms. Warmth surrounded me. Sandalwood and something uniquely him filled my nose.

“Thank God,” he whispered against my hair. ‘I was so worried.”

His embrace felt like safety. Like home.

18:18 Sat, Jan 10

Chapter 45: I’m Not Dying

“What happened? I gently pushed back. “Why’d they suspend everything?”

Orion shook his head. “No clue. The Sentinels found something, then shut everything down.”

“Yeah, Lucian joined us. “Dad and Alpha Nathan are in meetings, but they won’t tell us anything.”

Alpha Adam and Alpha King Nathan approached, followed by several Sentinels.

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“Kids,” Alpha King Nathan’s voice was heavy. “Tonight’s selection got suspended for special reasons. But based on your performances, we

can determine the results.”

His eyes found mine. “Evelyn, congratulations. You passed the Sentinel selection.”

Good news, but the mood stayed dark.

“Father,” Magnus couldn’t help asking, “what exactly – ”

“We can’t discuss it yet,” Alpha Adam cut him off. “We need more investigation. Get some rest tonight.”

Luna Isabella and Luna Queen Selena came over. Isabella touched my head gently. “You’ve had a long day. Both you and Nadia need

proper rest.”

“Absolutely,” Luna Queen Selena agreed. “It’s nearly midnight. Everyone’s exhausted.”

After a full day of fighting, fatigue hit me like a brick wall.

“Let’s go,” Nadia yawned massively. “I’m dead on my feet.”

“Evie,” Orion called as I headed for the stairs.

‘Yeah?”

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