The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 34: Tomorrow Is the Big Day Evelyn's POV Sunlight leaked through the curtains, dragging me out of restless sleep. I'd spent half the night staring at the ceiling, my brain spinning with tomorrow's selection. The dining room was buzzing when I came down, but I noticed Sentinel Conrad wasn't around. "Where's Sentinel Conrad?" I asked, sliding into my chair. "Left at dawn," Alpha King Nathan replied. "Final site prep. Tomorrow's the big day." Tomorrow. My heart did this annoying skip thing. I stabbed at my eggs, but everything tasted like cardboard.

My mind kept wandering to obstacle courses and combat tests and all the ways I could screw this up. "Evie?" Nadia's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "You okay? Your hand's shaking." I looked down. Sure enough, my fork was trembling like I was in the middle of an earthquake. Great. "I'm going for a run." I pushed back from the table. "Right now?" Elliot frowned. "Need to clear my head." I bolted upstairs to change. When I came back down, all my friends were waiting by the door in workout gear. "What's this about?" I asked. Orion grinned. "The way you were twitching at breakfast?

Even a blind person could see you were about to lose it." "So we figured, Lucian jumped in, "instead of letting you stress out alone, we'd come help you blow off some steam." My throat went tight. These guys... 'Come on, Magnus headed for the door. They led me to the training field. Morning quiet, just us and the open space. "Alright, Milo cracked his knuckles, 'let's have some fun." 1/4 18:13 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 34: Tomorrow Is the Big Day "Are you serious? I stared at the five boys spread out in front of me. 'All of you?" 2200 Tag team, Elliot was already dropping into stance.

'Let's see how long you last." I couldn't help laughing. 'Bring it on then." Lucian went first. His usual fluid style, but I could tell he was pulling his punches. Which was exactly what I needed-release without injury. We traded blows for what felt like forever, sweat soaking through our shirts. Every punch and kick drained the anxiety right out of me. All that nervous energy transformed into something useful. Lucian stepped back, Orion stepped up. His attacks came steadier, more controlled. But I was already in the zone, moving like water. Magnus next, then Milo, finally Elliot.

Each one brought something different, forcing me to adapt constantly. By the time we finished, I was flat on my back in the grass, chest heaving. But for the first time in days, my head felt clear. "Better?" Nadia jogged over with a towel. "Much. I sat up, looking at my ridiculous friends. "Thanks, you guys." "For what?" Orion dropped down beside me. "That's what we're here for." "Besides, Lucian flopped onto the grass, watching you stress out was making us all twitchy." "Don't overthink it," Magnus read my expression perfectly. "Just take it as it comes." 'Hungry?" Milo bounced to his feet.

"Let's go eat. You barely touched breakfast." Back at the pack house, I actually had an appetite this time. After lunch, everyone gathered in the living room. The vibe was relaxed, everyone carefully avoiding any mention of tomorrow. 'Evelyn.' Prince Alistair's voice made me look up. The boys immediately shifted closer, like a protective wall. "Your Highness. I stood politely. "Where'd you disappear to today? Missed you at lunch," he said with that easy smile. "Training field. Needed to work off some nerves." 2/4 18:13 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 34: Tomorrow Is the Big Day "Ah. He tilted his head.

"Last-minute cramming?" "More like... venting." Alistair studied me with those calculating eyes. "Still set on going through with this?" The question caught me off guard. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" "Just checking." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Good to see you're committed." "Thank you." "I'll be watching tomorrow," he added. "Looking forward to seeing what you can do." He turned and walked away, leaving me with that weird feeling like I'd missed something important. "Okay," I patted the boys' arms, feeling their tension, "chill out. He was just being polite." "Polite?

Lucian snorted. "That wasn't polite. That was sizing you up." I rolled my eyes. 'You're all paranoid. It's late - I should get some sleep. Early morning tomorrow." "Wait. Milo pressed a small bottle into my hand. "Muscle relief cream. You went pretty hard today." "Thanks." The gesture hit me right in the chest. Magnus's POV We watched Evie head upstairs, then sat in heavy silence. Alistair wandered back over, claiming Evie's empty spot on the couch. "You can dial down the guard dog routine," he said casually. "I'm not planning anything sinister." 'Better not be,' Elliot said, ice cold.

แร Alistair just chuckled, then shifted topics. "Summer training starts soon. You'll be coming with me to the royal territory." " "Part of your leadership development," he continued. "And yes, before you ask participation in the selection is mostly ceremonial for you three. But I still expect you to show what you're made of." "Hold up, Lucian caught something. "Summer training means..." 3/4 18:13 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 34: Tomorrow Is the Big Day "Leaving Polaris right after the selection ends," Alistair confirmed. "Several months, probably." "But Evie..." Lucian started, then shut his mouth.

Alistair's eyes lit up with amusement. "Can't bear to leave your little friend?" Nobody answered, but the silence was answer enough. "Interesting." Alistair looked thoughtful. "Well, get some rest. Tomorrow should be entertaining." After he left, the room felt heavy. "I hate not seeing her for even a day," Lucian muttered. "Several months..." "If she passes, she'll be leaving too," Milo pointed out. 473 75 "That's different," Orion shook his head. "If she goes first, at least we can say goodbye. At least we'd know where she is.

But if we leave first..." "She might think we abandoned her," Lucian finished. "Stop spiraling," I said, though I felt just as twisted up inside. "Evie's tougher than that. Besides, Sentinel training has age requirements. We've got time." 'I hope so," Elliot sighed. "Let's just get through tomorrow," Milo stood up. "Whatever happens, we support her." Everyone nodded and headed to bed. Lying in the dark, sleep felt impossible. Several months apart... when had that stubborn girl become so essential to everything? Tomorrow she'd give the selection everything she had.

All we could do was watch from the sidelines and hope. As for what came after... we'd figure it out when we got there. Comments 3 Write Comments SHARE 4/4 18:13 Sat, Jan 10 The Lightning Wolf Chronicles admin