The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Novel

Chapter 68: What Should I Watch Out For? (ZD Evelyn's POV The three exchanged glances, silently deciding who'd spill the tea. Sophia finally broke the silence. "So here's the deal," she said, leaning forward. "New recruits normally do their basic test in front of everyone. It's like this big initiation thing. Most people crash and burn, get laughed at, the whole embarrassing package. She took a quick bite of food before continuing. "After selection, they dumped us in these bare-bones cabins overnight, threw training uniforms at us the next morning, and marched us straight to testing.

No instructions, just 'begin' and good luck. Out of fifty people, only twenty made it through to get rooms." I frowned. I did the same test, just without an audience. What's the big deal?" "Before you showed up, Cyrus said quietly, "Seraphina was the only person Taric ever personally tested. Made her feel special. She was also the youngest recruit at seventeen." "And now here you come," Mark jumped in, waving his fork for emphasis, "sixteen years old, personally escorted by the freaking Alpha King, getting to leave for school, and basically stealing all her thunder.

But what really set her off was you taking the test without everyone watching. That's like... sacred tradition around here." I rubbed my forehead. "Great. I've been here half a day and already have enemies. I just want to train and prove I belong here." "Chill, Mark said, nudging my shoulder. 'She's pretty much the only one with issues. After the selection trials, people wouldn't shut up about you. I got picked as your guide specifically because we worked together before." He grinned suddenly. "Speaking of school, it's been forever since I set foot in one.

Graduated ages ago, but I'd kill to tag along sometime." Cyrus snorted. "You'd be pissed if you went with her. Think about it - she's sixteen, basically a junior, can graduate by summer, at least a year and a half ahead. Now remember how you barely scraped through?" When the realization hit Mark, he and Sophia burst out laughing. His shocked expression was so ridiculous I couldn't help joining in. "Seriously though," I said once we'd calmed down, "what should I watch out for?

What stupid mistakes do newbies make that I should avoid?" If they'd kicked thirty people out on day one, I couldn't afford to screw up. "Don't be late. Ever, Sophia said immediately. "Be prepared for everything, and try to figure out what they're really asking for beneath the actual instructions." She gave me an encouraging smile. "But honestly, you're already ahead of most. Everyone was talking about your adaptability after selection." "How long is probation exactly?" I asked, changing the subject. "What happens after I pass?" "Three phases, Mark explained between bites.

"First thirty days is apprenticeship. Nobody will openly mess with you, but nobody will help 1/3 18:24 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 68: What Should I Watch Out For? either. Everyone's watching to see if you've got what it takes." Sophia picked up where he left off. "Then comes another thirty days of prep. Make it that far and you're officially accepted. You get a temporary Sentinel mark and start doing minor missions." "What exactly is this mark? Why's it such a big deal?" I asked. "Taric mentioned it earlier too." 64 "It's the bond connecting us,' Cyrus pointed to the inside of his right forearm.

"Like a special pack link, but just for Sentinels. The mark goes here and doesn't break your original pack bond, just adds you to our network. On missions, you can mind-link with teammates no matter how far apart you are." "But what about me? Taric said I could train but no missions until 'the appropriate time," I said, trying not to sound disappointed. "Please tell me probation won't drag on for a whole year." "Hard to say," Cyrus shrugged. "The Alpha King and Taric obviously have plans for you, or you wouldn't be here." He paused, then dropped the bomb.

"The mark also suppresses mating hormones." I nearly choked on my water. "What?" "After getting marked, you can't look for a mate or feel any sexual attraction," he explained matter-of-factly. "We've got nearly a hundred warriors crammed in here all strong, energetic, and horny as hell without the mark. Suppressing all that prevents messy hookups and drama so we can focus on missions." "Who does the marking? What if someone wants to keep their chance at finding a mate?" I asked, suddenly concerned.

I might have almost two years before I could technically find a mate, but I wasn't sure how I felt about that choice being taken away. "Sentinel elders and a witch do it together," Cyrus answered. "It's temporary though, wears off over time. Alpha King makes Sentinels remove it every five years, giving them a year to find a mate if they want." "How do you know all this stuff?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Doesn't seem like common knowledge." Cyrus was clearly the quiet, observant type - the kind people overlook but who notices everything.

Mark and Sophia seemed just as surprised as me, both turning to stare at him. He watched me for a moment, like he was deciding something important. "Came from a normal family," he finally said, voice low and steady. "During a pack conflict, my mother was killed. Nearly destroyed my dad. After losing his mate, he decided to get stronger to protect what family he had left. He brought me here, then joined the Sentinels himself, using the mark to numb the pain of losing his mate." His eyes met mine, creating this unspoken understanding between us.

Somehow, he seemed to know about my family situation. I just nodded, acknowledging what went unsaid. 2/3 18:24 Sat, Jan 10 Chapter 68: What Should I Watch Out For? Before things could get too heavy, a bell rang, and people throughout the dining hall started clearing tables. Taric wasn't kidding about us being responsible for the place. Ten minutes later, everything was spotless. The discipline was Impressive. "What happens now?" I asked Sophia after tossing my trash and stacking dishes. "Free time until lights out," she looped her arm through mine.

"Most people shower, then head to their rooms, especially if they've been on missions. Some hang out in the common room. Come on, let's see what everyone's up to." I spent the next hour meeting other Sentinels, trying to remember names and faces for future reference. It was fascinating watching how the veterans interacted with the younger members - older Sentinels were all about efficiency, while the younger ones were more open and energetic. The lights-out warning bell caught me by surprise. I'd been enjoying the social time more than I expected.

This place already felt strangely like home, but completely different from Polaris City. I wasn't sure what to make of that feeling yet. "Do those same bells wake us up in the morning?" I asked Sophia as we headed upstairs. "Nope, that's the floor supervisor's job," she answered with a knowing look. "Wonderful," I sighed. "Looks like someone's gonna be extra happy to see me tomorrow." Comments 61 Write Comments