The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Shouldn’t This Be a Surprise?

Evelyn’s POV

The room went dead silent the second I shared my news. Instead of the excited congratulations I’d expected, Lucian tensed beneath me, Magnus’s knuckles went white against the desk, and Orion – his reaction hit me hardest – actually dropped to his knees like someone had punched him in the gut.

“You can’t be serious, Orion finally said, his voice rough. “We’ve talked about this. You can’t just leave.”

I stared at them, completely thrown. This was supposed to be good news. Why were they acting like I’d announced my own funeral?

“What kind of reaction is this?’ I tried to stand, but Lucian held me firmly in place. This is literally what I’ve been working toward my entire life!

“Working toward leaving us?” Magnus’s voice cracked with disbelief. “Going off to some dangerous training facility with strangers? How exactly is that good news?”

The flash of betrayal in his eyes caught me off guard.

“You’ve got it all wrong,” I said, slowing down my words. ‘I’m not leaving tomorrow. They’ll take me after this school year ends. And it’s training, not a one-way trip to Mars.” I shook my head. “I thought you guys knew how much I wanted this.”

Their expressions didn’t budge an inch. The realization hit me like ice water – they’d never actually supported my dream. They just wanted me here, playing my part in their world.

“Besides,” I added with a bitter edge, ‘in a few weeks you’re all leaving for your fancy summer training anyway. Even Nadia’s going back to

her original pack. Everyone gets to follow their path except me?”

The silence that followed felt heavier than concrete.

Something snapped inside me. Who did they think they were? I wasn’t their possession to control. I’d earned this opportunity through my

own blood and sweat.

I stood up forcefully, making Lucian release his grip. ‘Let go of me!’ I snarled, feeling my eyes flash with anger.

I looked at each of them in turn. ‘So this is who you really are. Acting like friends and family, but actually just trying to keep me in a

neat little box that suits you.”

I turned to Adam, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Can I please be excused? I need some space. I thought becoming a Sentinel was

supposed to be an honor, but now I see all that support was just empty words.”

“Child,’ Adam’s voice was gentle but firm. ‘Give them time to process. Their reaction actually shows how much they care about you.”

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Chapter 52: Shouldn’t This Be a Surprise?

‘Not if caring means crushing my dreams, I stepped back. Alpha, can I please go run in Silver Pines? I won’t go far, I just need air.

Adam studied me, then nodded. “Of course, but you’ll need an escort. This isn’t just protocol – it’s for your safety. I’ll have Thomas of

Griffin accompany you.”

“Thank you,” I said, turning to leave when Orion’s voice stopped me.

“Evie, wait,” he sounded almost desperate. “We can figure something out, find a middle ground.”

“There’s nothing to talk about right now,” I replied coldly. “You’ve made yourselves clear. When you’re ready to respect my choices, you

know where to find me.”

I walked out, leaving them behind. Thomas was already waiting in the hall, his expression telling me he’d heard everything.

“I’ll walk you to Silver Pines,” he said simply. “Then I’ll patrol the boundary to give you space.”

“Thanks,” I appreciated his understanding. “I really need to be alone right now.”

The fresh air hit my face as we crossed the courtyard toward the forest entrance.

‘I’ll stay along the perimeter,” Thomas gestured at the tree line. “Shout if you need me. Don’t go too deep, and stay safe.*

I nodded, then turned to face the familiar woods. The rustling leaves seemed to welcome me as I took a deep breath of pine-scented air

and started running.

At first, I kept a steady pace. But the deeper I went, something primal took over. I pushed harder, faster, like I could outrun all my problems if I just moved quick enough. My feet pounded over fallen leaves and across streams as sweat soaked through my clothes.

–

Branches whipped my face and arms, but I barely noticed. All I felt was the wild freedom. I had to prove to everyone to myself that I

could make my own choices.

My foot suddenly caught on a hidden root, sending me crashing to the ground. My palms and knees scraped against rocks, blood welling up immediately. I pushed back to my feet and kept going. What was a little physical pain compared to the fire burning in my chest?

I ran until my muscles screamed, each breath more painful than the last. But stopping meant facing reality that I might never truly

belong anywhere.

The vastness of Silver Pines swallowed me, and my sense of direction blurred. Sunlight filtered through the canopy as time stretched and

warped around me.

You need to stop, my wolf warned. You’ve pushed way past your limits.

Just a little further, I argued stubbornly. I can’t go back yet.

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Chapter 52: Shouldn’t This Be a Surprise?

Running away never fixes anything, she said gently.

But I wasn’t ready to listen. I kept pushing until my legs couldn’t support me anymore, until my lungs felt like they were filled with acid,

until my vision started to spin and blur.

Finally, I collapsed at the edge of an unfamiliar clearing. My hands pressed into the damp earth as I gasped for air, every muscle cramping

from exhaustion.

A wave of dizziness knocked me flat. I tried to stand but gravity won out. I fell onto the soft bed of leaves, my breathing growing

shallower as consciousness started to slip away.

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