The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 154: This Is Your Victory 75% Evelyn's POV The moment Taric finished speaking, he struck. Pure instinct kicked in as I sides pped and rolled right to create distance. No warm-up, no warning- just like real combat. I spent the next several minutes dodging his attacks, my body remembering move that my tired muscles struggled to execute. After weeks of limited training during the undercover mission, this full-intensity sparring was brutal. Conrad and I had only managed light practice sessions in the safe house backyard nothing like this.

Taric suddenly changed direction, lunging for my midsection. Though he called this an "assessment," we both knew what it really was: a test of how much I had left in me. His size gave him a clear advantage, forcing me to identify weaknesses. And his biggest weakness? He wouldn't actually hurt me. Every attack pulled back just enough, especially now when he thought I was weakened. When he attempted a leg sweep, I pivoted into a side kick that connected with the outside of his knee. My leg muscles screamed in protest, but I managed to throw him off balance.

His arm still caught my waist, knocking me down, but immediately rolled back to my feet. "Not bad, kid, Taric said, studying me. "Your breathing's ragged, but considering everything, you're doing better than expected." He turned to Freya, who'd been watching intently. "What kind of combat training did you get as an Alpha's daughter? With proper food and training, your muscle memory should bounce back pretty quickly." 'I still can't hear my wolf," Freya said, worry clear in her voice. "I thought she'd come back once we got out. Diana checked my blood, but nothing's changed.

Will she ever return?" "That's hard to say, Taric considered. 'But she's definitely still in there - I can sense her. She just needs time. We don't know how much she endured protecting you in that place. When she's ready, she'll come back. Meanwhile, we can use this situation to our advantage." "Advantage?" Freya frowned. "How is this possibly good?" "Because now you have to rely on your human side," Taric explained. "If you're ever in a situation where wolfsbane blocks your connection, this experience will make you stronger.

Learning to fight without your wolf's support means thos toxins lose half their power against you." I watched Freya's posture change as his words triggered something in her. Taric knew exactly what he was doing rebuilding her confidence instead of waiting for a complete recovery. "Evelyn, watch her movements,' he instructed me, 'Note what needs work and where we should start her training." I nodded and observed as they began sparring. Freya surprised me with her flexility; she clearly had combat foundations, though her captivity had destroyed her stamina.

Taric kept it basic, testing her reactions and instincts. As I watched, I realized how much I'd missed this analyzing movements, spotting weaknesses, planning improvements. There was something comforting about the familiarity, like life was finding its rhythm again. Freya knew what to her body just couldn't keep up yet. At the edge of the training area, several senior Sentinels watched from a distance they didn't approach but were definitely evaluating both Freya's potential and my recovery. Their scrutiny made me uneasy but also drove me to prove thaaptivity hadn't broken me.

After about thirty minutes of pushing Freya to her limits, Taric called a halt. She was breathless but smiling genuinely smiling. Like me, she found something healing in the physical exertion. 'Go eat something, Taric suggested, "but take it slow. Your bodies need to readj to normal food gradually. We'll pick this up later and talk next steps." That sounds ominous, I said to my wolf. Wonder what he's planning now. 09:59 Mon, Jan 12 Chapter 154: This Is Your Victory 475%L At least we're safe, she responded.

We should figure out what Brandon used on us.ormal drugs don't last that long even wolfsbane only affects us for hours. Whatever he and those witches cooked up could block our connection for weeks. Good point, I realized. Acacia's torture sessions never lasted long, but this time thefects never wore off. "What's your wolf saying?" Freya asked, pulling me from my thoughts. 'She's thinking about Brandon's drugs, I explained. "I usually don't react much to that stuff my body can push out most toxins pretty fast. But his formula was strong enough to keep us separated the whole time." 'Really?

How are you so resistant?" she asked curiously. 'Just born that way, I guess," I said, not wanting to get into it. "Found out what could handle through some... experiences. Someday I'd tell her she wasn't the only one who'd suffered, but not today. "Sounds like there's a story there," she commented. "Maybe, I said, changing the subject. "Let's get food. Lunch is busier than breakfast, and while everyone's probably been told to give us space, that never lasts long. Sentinels gossip worse than high schoolers." She laughed softly.

"Good thing you were on this mission, or I'd still be in that hellhole. Wonder how long the nightmares will stick around?" 'Mine are bad enough can't imagine what yours must be like," I said as we headed toward the dining hall. - On our way, I noticed curious glances from around the training grounds. Most Sentinels kept their distance, but their interest was obvious. Despite what we'd been through, we were still part of this tight-knit group. After being separated for so long, that sense of belonging felt especially precious.

Freya seemed to feel it too; she was still on alert but noticeably more relaxed. She even nodded back at a few approaching Sentinels and, while clearly uncomfortable with the social interaction, was starting to adjust. 'Do they all know what happened to us?" she asked quietly. 'Probably bits and pieces,' I said. "News travels fast here, but the details stay with command. Don't worry though no one's judging you for being captured.

If anything, surviving over a year in those conditions just makes them respect your willpower more." She raised her eyebrows, like that thought had never occurred to her. "Really? I've always felt so ashamed for not escaping, not fighting harder... "That's backward," I said firmly. "Just surviving is the greatest victory. Brandon wanted to break you, but you endured and now you're here, ready to start over. Every breath you take is a middle finger to those assholes." Inside the dining hall, several Sentinels were already in line.

Some senior membe glanced our way, nodded briefly, then quickly looked away, clearly used to teammates returning from rough missions. I was about to step forward when someone grabbed me from behind with such fe I nearly lost my breath. 'What the hell? I gasped, spinning around. 'What's going on?" 2/3 09:59 Mon, Jan 12 The Lightning Wolf Chronicles admin