The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 12: You're Beautiful Tonight Evelyn's POV The mood shifted so fast I could practically feel the temperature drop. The triplets exchanged looks that screamed "complicated." "What rumors?" Nadia asked. "She's been telling everyone she's gonna be the future Luna," Elliot said. "Claims she's got some special thing going with the triplets." "That's bullshit," Nadia frowned. "What makes her think she can just decide that?" Awkward silence. Magnus cleared his throat. "It's... complicated." "We screwed up last summer," Lucian's voice got tight.

"End of training party, we drank way too much..." "Did some really stupid shit," Magnus picked up where he left off. "Stuff we regret." My face burned. I didn't need the details to know this was definitely not a conversation I wanted to be part of. "I was there too, but I said no," Orion's voice could've cut glass. "Even drunk off my ass, I knew it was wrong." 80 "Exactly," Magnus said firmly. "It was just... drunken stupidity. Didn't mean anything. But Acacia's acting like we're engaged or something." "She's been dropping hints ever since," Lucian made a bitter face.

"Already planning our 'future' together." "Is that why she's been such a bitch lately?" I asked quietly. "Part of it," Elliot nodded. "She thinks that night gave her some kind of claim on us. She's dead wrong." "Completely wrong," Orion emphasized. "The Moon Goddess picks our mates. Not some random hookup," "Speaking of which," Nadia jumped in, clearly wanting to change the subject, "I heard you guys have a mating ball here? When's that happen?' The guys visibly relaxed, grateful for the shift. "Every fall," Lucian explained.

"Usually for eighteen-plus wolves who haven't found their mates yet. Though high schoolers can go now too." "Sounds awesome!" Nadia's eyes lit up. "Can we go?" "Course you can," Milo laughed. "Though you're still pretty young. Evie's what, fifteen?" 1/4 11:33 Thu, Jan 8 M. Chapter 12: You're Beautiful Tonight "Yeah, fifteen." I nodded. "Nadia's a few months older." : "We're all sixteen," Magnus said. "But you can't actually sense your mate until after your eighteenth birthday anyway." 80 "Still fun though," Orion added. "You learn the social stuff, see pack traditions.

And..." he paused, 'real mate bonds aren't about choices or random hookups. It's something deeper than that." His words seemed to hit the triplets hard. They all got this thoughtful look. *Plus you get to wear gorgeous dresses!" Nadia said excitedly, totally missing the undercurrents. "Evie, we have to go!" My stomach twisted. A ball meant being seen by everyone - exactly what I spent my life avoiding. "I don't really know how to dance..." I said quietly. "We can teach you," Lucian offered. "Basic steps aren't that hard." "Yeah, and..." Nadia suddenly jumped up.

"Luna Isabella!" We all turned toward the terrace entrance where Luna Isabella was walking over with a tray of desserts. "What's got everyone so excited?" she asked warmly. "We were talking about the mating ball," Nadia said directly. "I was wondering what color would look best on Evie." Luna Isabella studied me thoughtfully. "Blues would be perfect on her - they'd bring out her eyes and hair. Deep sapphire or silver-blue would both be stunning." "I knew it!" Nadia clapped her hands. "I can already picture it!" Heat rushed to my face and I stared down at my hands.

"Evie, don't be shy," Luna isabella said gently. "You're beautiful tonight, and you'd be absolutely gorgeous in a gown," "Okay, okay, stop," I waved my hands frantically. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here." But they clearly had zero intention of stopping. Nadia started describing her vision of the perfect dress, and the guys actually joined in with their own suggestions. "Should be simple," Magnus said. "Something too fancy would just distract from her." "Agreed," Orion nodded.

"Simple and elegant works best." Watching them seriously discuss my appearance made something weird flutter in my chest. Nobody had ever cared about how I looked 2/4 11:33 Thu, Jan 8 M Chapter 12: You're Beautiful Tonight before. : "I can't take this anymore,' I stood up, pretending to escape. "You guys keep planning - I'm gonna look at the moon." "Oh no you don't! Nadia immediately chased after me. I stopped at the edge of the terrace, and she caught me in a hug from behind. 'Don't run away - we're just looking out for you." "I know, it's just... I'm not used to it, I said softly.

That's when Nadia playfully smacked my thigh. "Stop being so shy all the time!" The sudden contact made me gasp and lean forward slightly. But something weird happened. The five guys who'd been chatting animatedly suddenly went dead silent. The whole atmosphere shifted in an instant. 80 I turned around to find them all staring at us, but their expressions were... off. Magnus's ears had gone red, Lucian was clearing his throat like something was stuck, Orion's stare had gotten intense, Milo was suddenly fascinated by the moon, and Elliot looked pissed. "What's wrong?" Nadia asked, confused.

"Nothing... nothing," Magnus stammered. "We should... we should head back." "Yeah, it's getting late," Lucian was already standing, movements weirdly rushed. "Dad's probably waiting, Orion said, already walking toward the exit. Milo and Magnus quickly followed, leaving just Elliot still sitting there. "Elliot?" I looked at him, totally lost. "Yeah, we really should go home." He walked over. "Let me walk you guys back." "But... what just happened?" I still had no clue what I'd missed. "Nothing," Elliot shook his head.

"Just getting late." Watching the four of them practically run away, I was even more confused. "Boys are so weird," Nadia shrugged. "They were fine two seconds ago, then suddenly they're all fleeing like the place is on fire.* 3/4 11:33 Thu, Jan 8 M Chapter 12: You're Beautiful Tonight 'Yeah, I agreed. "Wonder what the hell that was about." :. & 80 Elliot walked us home after we said goodbye to Luna Isabella and the other adults. He was unusually quiet the whole way, like he was working through something in his head. Comments 16 Write Comments SHARE 4/4 11:33 Thu, Jan 8 M...

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