The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 14: I Warned You Evelyn's POV & 80 Acacia's heels clicked against the concrete floor like a countdown. She stopped right in front of me, those ice-blue eyes glittering with satisfaction. "Look at you now," she said, tilting her head. "Hanging there like a piece of meat." I tried to lift my head, tasting blood from my split lip. "Cut her down," Acacia ordered. The three guys immediately loosened the ropes. My legs buckled and I hit the floor hard, pain shooting through my ribs. Acacia crouched down and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her. "I warned you, didn't I?

Told you to stay the hell away from them." "I didn't- "Shut up!" Her nails bit into my skin. "You think wearing pretty dresses and going to fancy dinners makes you one of them?" - She stood up, looking down at me like trash. "Here's something you need to know those boys think you're cute right now, like a lost puppy. But once they get bored? You're gone." My wolf snarled inside my head, but I forced her down. "And just so we're clear," her voice dropped to a whisper, "Magnus and Lucian? Already been there. Orion's next.

We're meant to be together, and some nobody like you isn't gonna change that." One of the guys pulled out a small bottle. Silver powder. My blood turned to ice. "Next time it won't just be fists,' Acacia's voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll make sure every inch of your skin gets a taste of this. Trust me, that kind of pain makes you wish you were dead." She leaned close to my ear. "And if you even think about telling anyone including your new bestie Nadia - I promise she'll get it worse than you just did. You know I can make it happen." With that, she turned and walked out.

The three boys followed without a word. The storage room door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the dark. I don't know how long I lay there on that cold floor. The sharp pain slowly dulled to a constant ache, but every breath still felt like 1/5 11:33 Thu, Jan 8 M Chapter 14: I Warned You broken glass in my chest. My wolf was working overtime trying to heal me, but it was slow going. We need to get out of here, she whispered. I struggled to my feet, using the wall for support. In the dusty mirror hanging by the door, I looked like hell - split lip, bruised cheek, blood on my shirt.

I cleaned up as best I could and pulled my hair forward to hide the worst of it. Then I carefully made my way out, grateful the hallways were mostly empty. The next few days, I went back to my old routine. Early to school, late to leave, avoiding the five boys. Corner seats in class, isolated tables at lunch, distance during training. Nadia noticed immediately. "What's wrong with you?" she asked during math class, voice low but urgent. "You've been acting weird all week." "Just tired," I said, not meeting her eyes. "Bullshit." She frowned. "What happened? Is this about your dad?" "No, really.

I'm fine." Nadia's POV 80 Evie was lying through her teeth - I could tell. She'd been dodging everyone for days, including me. That happy girl from dinner last week had vanished, replaced by the shadow I first met. What really worried me was how she moved. Like every step hurt. And the way she flinched whenever someone got too close. Something was seriously wrong. I decided to do something about it. Evelyn's POV Saturday morning, I headed out for my usual run. It was still dark, Polaris quiet except for the occasional night bird.

I took a different route this time, avoiding anywhere I might bump into anyone I knew. When I jogged past Nadia's house, I automatically sped up. I didn't want to deal with more questions. But as I passed, the front door flew open. 2/5 11:34 Thu, Jan 8 M... Chapter 14: I Warned You "I knew you'd come this way," Nadia stood there, hands on her hips. "Nadia, I. "Get inside. Now." "I need to finish my run-" "Evelyn." She used my full name, which meant she was done playing around. I followed her upstairs to her room. She locked the door behind us. "Sit," she pointed at the bed.

I sat, nervously picking at my sleeves. "Now tell me what really happened," she crouched in front of me. "And don't say it's nothing." "It's really not-" Before I could finish, she grabbed my sweatshirt and yanked it up. I was too slow to stop her. "Oh my God!" The words came out like a sob. I quickly pulled my shirt down, but too late. She'd seen the bruises, the old scars. "Evie..." Her voice shook. "Who did this?" 'It's okay, really," I tried to calm her down, but tears streamed down her face. 'Okay? You call this okay?" She was almost yelling.

"Your back looks like a war zone!" Seeing her cry over my pain stirred something in my chest. When was the last time anyone cared? "Don't cry," I reached out to wipe her tears. "I'm used to it." "Used to it?" She stared at me. "This is abuse! We have to tell someone-" "No!' I grabbed her hands. "You can't tell anyone." "Why not? Alpha Adam would help-" "You don't understand." I took a shaky breath. "It was Acacia. She said if I told anyone, she'd do worse to you." 80 3/5 11:34 Thu, Jan 8 M ... Chapter 14: 1 Warned You Nadia went still. "Acacia did this?" :. "Yeah. I couldn't look at her.

She told me to stay away from the boys. Said they belong to her." "That's insane!' Nadia jumped up. "Her dad runs the school board," I explained. "She always gets away with stuff." "What about those guys? Do they know?" I shook my head. "They believe in survival of the fittest. If I can't protect myself, I don't deserve help." Nadia looked shocked. "Besides, I don't want to be anyone's burden." She was quiet for a long time. Then she took a deep breath. "Okay," she finally said. "I won't tell anyone." Relief flooded through me.

"But there's a condition." "What?" 80 "Let me take care of you." Her eyes were determined. "My mom's a scientist - I've picked up medical stuff. I can help treat your wounds." "Nadia, you don't have to-" "This isn't a request." She cut me off. "Either you let me help, or I'm marching straight to those boys right now." Looking at her stubborn expression, I knew I was beaten. 'Fine,' I said reluctantly. She went for her medical kit. "Take off your shirt. Let me see how bad this is." For the next thirty minutes, she carefully treated every injury. Her technique was gentle but professional.

"These old scars..." She lightly touched a mark. "Silver powder?" 4/5 11:34 Thu, Jan 8 M The Lightning Wolf Chronicles admin