The Lightning Wolf Chronicles (Evelyn and Nadia) novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56: You Were Never Just a Warrior

Evelyn’s POV

Chloe eventually shut up about the whole patrol situation, but that didn’t make things any better. Thomas kept encouraging her to keep up, and she did stop whining, but her pace got slower with each passing minute. Eventually Thomas had no choice but to call other patrol teams to take over our area early.

The whole thing pissed me off. Someone could’ve been seriously hurt because this important security task was being treated like a dating opportunity.?

After patrol ended, I rushed home for a quick shower, then headed to school. When I reached the front steps, I found Elliot waiting for me, his usually serious face oddly soft.

“I’m sorry, little sis,” he said, pulling me into a tight hug. “Nadia told me everything. I had no idea things were that bad for you. We just

thought you were being stubborn or trying to prove something.”

He kept his hands on my shoulders when he pulled back.

“I won’t try to stop you like those three knuckleheads. If you want to leave, go chase your dreams. But remember, no matter where you

end up, this will always be your home, and I’ll always be your brother.”

His words made something warm spread through my chest. Elliot rarely got this sentimental.

“How was patrol?” he asked, his mouth quirking into a knowing smile.

“A total nightmare,” I groaned. “What’s going on with these assignments? How did they even get on patrol duty? Who got stuck with the

other two?”

“Acacia’s with Magnus, Zoey’s with Milo,” Elliot sighed. “All three of them complained non-stop. Acacia actually threw a fit because she

wasn’t paired with Magnus or Lucian.”

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“That’s insane,” I said. “There’s an actual threat out there, and they’re treating patrol like speed dating.”

‘Acacia’s dad pulled strings with the board,” Elliot explained. “He tried to pressure Griffin into changing the pairings. It’s ridiculous,

turning security into a matchmaking service.”

He paused. “But then again, it’s not surprising. You do know that Acacia’s father is Delta Griffin’s brother, right?”

“I forgot about that,” I said. “Poor Milo, having such a relative.”

Elliot sighed, “Anyway, let me walk you to school. Take ten minutes to get ready?”

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Chapter 56: You Were Never Just a Warrior

“Oh, almost forgot,” he pulled out a bag from behind him. “Luna asked me to give you this. She said ‘when you’re ready, come home. Said you might need this stuff.”

I took the bag with a nod and hurried upstairs. After a quick shower, I opened Luna’s package and couldn’t help laughing. Inside, alongside my underwear and jeans, were Orion’s tank top, Lucian’s t-shirt, and Magnus’s hoodie. They smelled freshly worn. Subtle, Luna. Real subtle.

I rolled my eyes but tugged on the t-shirt and giant hoodie, rolling up the sleeves several times.

When I came downstairs, Elliot raised his eyebrows at my outfit. “Looks like Luna’s playing matchmaker too.”

“Cut it out,” I muttered. “Didn’t have much choice.”

“You look stronger wearing their clothes, not smaller,” Elliot said. “Weird, I expected the opposite.”

As we walked to school, he handed me an oatmeal bar and orange juice. Ever since the doctor said I was “malnourished,” everyone had

been obsessed with feeding me. If they only knew how little I’d survived on before…

“So, about the Mating Ball…” Elliot said suddenly.

“How did we jump from breakfast to that?” I asked.

“Don’t change the subject!” He tapped my shoulder. “You’re still coming with us, right? Nobody should go alone, especially with everything

that’s happening. Plus, with Sentinel training coming up, this might be your last chance to experience it.”

“I guess,” I sighed. “But honestly, the ball seems kinda pointless now. I’m only sixteen, I hate crowds except around you guys, and I can’t dance. What’s the point when I can’t even find a mate for another two years?”

I glanced around. “Besides, adults just use it for politics, pushing packs together. I don’t want to be paraded around like you are.”

“Aren’t you being paraded too?” Elliot asked sharply.

“What do you mean?”

“The way Dad and others talk about you,” he said bluntly, “you’re basically being shown off like a prize too. Especially now that you’ve

caught the Alpha King’s attention.”

An uneasy feeling washed over me, “I never asked for that,” I said quietly. “You’re the Beta, not me. I just wanted to be a warrior.”

“Evie, you were never just a warrior,” Elliot said, his voice serious. “Even if you don’t see it. That’s why you need people around you who understand your real value. When those guys get weird about other boys talking to you, try to be patient with them.”

He smiled awkwardly. “And yeah, jealousy is definitely part of it. Those three stubborn idiots will never admit it straight up, though.”

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Chapter 56: You Were Never Just a Warrior

That made me laugh for real.

“Even Prince Alistair? I asked, half-joking.

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“Especially him, Elliot shot back. “He gets more female attention in an hour than the triplets see in a week. But the difference is, he

sought you out. You didn’t fawn all over him like other girls; you treated him like a normal person. And you knocked him flat on his ass.

Who knows? Maybe that’s when he fell for you.”

“Don’t you guys like girls showing interest?” I asked, dodging the Alistair topic.

“Casual stuff is fun,” Elliot shrugged, “but most girls want more – status, money, to be a trophy. And our jobs, including mate responsibilities, are crazy demanding. Few of them understand what they’re signing up for. That’s why the triplets keep their distance.”

He stared into the distance. “It’s not about being stuck-up, it’s self-protection. But unless you’ve lived it, nobody gets it. And half the time, it’s not even the girls it’s their parents pushing them at us whether they want it or not. Your situation’s not that different.”

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