The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Chapter 177

**Evelyn's POV**

"Take a seat," Adam motioned to the chairs, his face grim. "I've got some bad news. Your team was ambushed during their mission. Thankfully, nobody died. Taric just filled me in a few minutes ago."

"That explains the radio silence," Sophia said, leaning forward anxiously. "How bad was it?"

"Pretty rough," Adam confirmed with a nod. "Everyone's alive, but Mark was sent back to the royal pack. He took a hit from a knife laced with some kind of toxin that caused a severe reaction. Given what's happening, you all deserve to know what we're up against."

He rubbed his forehead, looking more worried than I'd ever seen him. My stomach tightened - if everyone survived, what could be worse?

"The rogues have scattered among nearby packs and are now heading our way. Intelligence suggests they're planning a major attack, so we need to strengthen our defenses immediately." His eyes locked with mine. "And Evelyn, it looks like you've become their primary target."

The boys around me started growling.

"Settle down," Adam ordered, his Alpha authority unmistakable. "We've always known Evelyn was their target. But things have changed - we believe they've figured out or at least suspect your special abilities."

"What does that mean?" Elliot blurted out, forgetting protocol.

Adam didn't correct him, just continued: "Juniper thinks your magic training is more critical than ever now." He slid an elegantly wrapped package across the desk - the magic book I'd been studying at the castle. "Inside are detailed instructions. She believes you need to continue your studies independently."

I took the package, feeling the faint energy pulsing from the book. The irony wasn't lost on me - in the middle of a crisis, I was expected to teach myself magic.

"Alpha King Nathan has ordered the royal pack borders sealed and recommended surrounding packs do the same. You'll all need to stay here for now." Adam continued, "You'll still get training and missions, but Sentinel headquarters is focused on treating the wounded and reorganizing, which might take several days."

He closed his eyes, a deep growl rising from his chest. He was communicating with his wolf - something that usually only happened during major decisions.

When he looked up again, he sighed heavily: "What I'm about to show you isn't pleasant, but you need to see it."

He picked up a wooden box from the desk. My gut twisted instantly. Though I had no idea what was inside, instinct told me it was bad news.

"What's that?" Freya asked nervously. "Evelyn, you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Last time we got a box like that, it had a Luna's pack mark ripped from her body," I said, barely recognizing my own voice. "It was a warning - and a challenge."

Curses filled the room immediately.

"Have you opened it?" Magnus asked, barely containing his anger.

"No one could," Adam replied. "We all tried and failed. We think it was specifically meant for Evelyn." He pushed it toward me. "Juniper examined it and found magical traces, but even she couldn't open it. She suggested you try, but we need to be careful."

"Hell no!" Orion stood up, pushing my hand down as I reached for the box. "We don't know anything about this Juniper person. What if she's playing us? What if that thing is rigged to hurt Evelyn?" I could feel him trembling slightly.

"I'm with Ori on this," Elliot said firmly. "Find someone else. I'm not letting my sister take this risk. She nearly fell into a coma last time, remember? Absolutely not."

"Alpha, this feels too convenient," Lucian added. "We should be more cautious."

"Enough! All of you, shut up," I snapped in frustration. "Do I look like some scared little kid to you? Why not ask what I think before deciding for me? Give me the damn box!"

"Evelyn, this isn't safe..." Magnus tried.

"Orion," I looked him straight in the eyes, "I get that you're worried, but if you keep stopping me, I swear I'll make you regret it." I held his gaze until he finally shook his head and let go of my hand.

Adam pushed the box toward me. I hovered my hand over it, immediately sensing strange energy fluctuations.

The box looked ordinary, tied with simple string. If it contained something deadly, anyone who'd touched it would already be affected. I carefully untied the string and slowly lifted the lid. The moment I saw what was inside, I dropped the lid like it had burned me.

Strong arms suddenly lifted me into a warm embrace. Familiar scents surrounded me, grounding me back to reality.

"Breathe, Evie," Orion whispered, his lips close to my ear. "You're safe, we're all here. Tell us what's in there." He tightened his hold, and I let his scent calm my racing heart. He always knew exactly what I needed.

I took a deep breath and turned to Freya: "It's Robert."

"What?" Freya looked confused, pointing at the box. "How could Robert fit in there?"

I forced myself to calm down and carefully reopened the box like it might explode. Everyone leaned in to look, and Freya gasped, covering her mouth.

Elliot pulled her into his arms silently. Freya stared at the box, her eyes darting between me and what lay inside.

In the box were a pair of eyeballs.

Those eyes - I'd looked into them countless times, trying to figure out why Robert seemed gentle yet traveled with rogues - until I learned the truth about his mate. The blood around them was still fresh, giving off a strong iron smell, deliberately preserved.

They'd killed him. Mixed emotions hit me - sadness at his death, but also a feeling that maybe he'd gotten what he deserved. After all, he betrayed us for a mate who had betrayed him, nearly getting us recaptured.

"Hey, say something." Orion gently touched my cheek as I struggled to focus. "Evie, you're scaring us."

"Robert was one of the rogues I met at college," I finally managed, my throat dry. "Him, Brandon, and Peter. We kept in touch with the rogue camp through them, acting friendly but all with our own agendas - it wasn't real friendship. His mate cheated on him with Brandon, but Brandon wouldn't let them reject each other, just to torture Robert mentally."

"In the end, Peter risked everything to help Freya and me escape that hellhole." I took a deep breath, my lungs burning.

We'd escaped while Robert chose to stay and face the consequences, all to be with a mate who'd already betrayed him. I understood why he betrayed us, but that didn't mean I could fully forgive him. In my heart, he was both helper and betrayer, a pitiful soul driven to extremes by love and desperation.