The Lightning Wolf Chronicles Chapter 90

**Evelyn's POV**

The royal banquet hall hummed with conversation as representatives clustered around circular tables for breakfast. I sat next to Alistair, trying to appear calm despite my nerves. With Alpha King Nathan and Luna Queen Selena at our table, even the most important Alphas kept their distance.

When the servants cleared away the last plates, Alpha King Nathan stood. His voice carried effortlessly through the hall without seeming forced.

"Respected city Alphas and representatives, today we'll discuss matters concerning our kingdom's security. The first meeting will take place in the East Wing Hall, focusing on defense force deployment across our cities. Please arrive in fifteen minutes."

As I got ready to stand, a young Omega girl in a dark gray uniform approached with a deep blue leather folder. My name was embroidered on it in silver thread.

"Miss Evelyn, I'm Alana," she said with a small curtsy. "I'll be assisting you today. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Nice to meet you, Alana," I replied, noticing her surprised reaction to being addressed directly. "It'll be good to have some company, especially someone as professional as you."

"Thank you, miss," she said, relaxing a bit as she lowered her voice. "Some guests can be... difficult with Omegas." She glanced around to make sure no one was listening.

"If I mess up anything, just tell me straight," I told her. "You're here to help, not just follow orders. And since this is my first time at meetings like this - what exactly is this folder for?"

"It contains agendas for today's meetings, a castle map, and reference materials you might need," Alana explained, visibly warming up. "The last pages are blank for your notes. Alpha King and Luna Queen had these made specially for you."

Alistair walked over and offered his arm with exaggerated formality. "Ready for the first round of battle?"

"As long as it's just words flying, I think I can handle it," I said, taking his arm.

As we headed out, Alana followed slightly behind, quietly filling me in on details. We'd be attending three meetings: defense resource allocation for border cities, enhancing the southern monitoring network, and optimizing the royal family's security.

My stomach tightened. Just yesterday I'd learned about the "Rogue Wolf King" organizing attacks on outlying cities. These meetings were about countering that threat. I might not know politics, but tactical defense was exactly what I'd been training for.

The East Wing Hall looked impressive - a huge circular oak table dominated the center, with ancient maps and portraits of previous Alpha Kings on the walls. Once Nathan and Selena sat down, the other Alphas took their seats according to rank. Alistair guided me to sit on his right, which earned us some pointed looks.

Before things officially started, a muscular middle-aged Alpha spoke up loudly: "Aegis City needs to prioritize Fury City's defense!" His voice bounced off the walls. "We're the eastern frontier's first line! If Fury City falls, the entire kingdom's at risk! Every city around us has been attacked in the past three years - it's just a matter of time before we're next!"

I recognized him immediately - Samuel, Fury City's Alpha, known for being stubborn and difficult.

"Alpha King Nathan," Samuel continued, balancing between pleading and demanding, "we need at least twenty elite warriors stationed permanently in Fury City, or I can't guarantee border security. Every other city's gotten support - why are we being left out?"

I couldn't help but chuckle softly. He reminded me of how Raymond acted with Adam - outwardly aggressive but inwardly insecure.

My laugh caught Samuel's attention. His sharp gaze snapped to me, then expectantly to Nathan, clearly wanting him to scold me for being disrespectful. The room went dead silent.

"Alpha Samuel of Fury City," Nathan said calmly, "this is Evelyn, future Sentinel of the Polaris City pack. I believe she has insights regarding your situation."

Samuel frowned, looking me up and down. "Her?" His voice dripped with doubt. "What could a kid who hasn't even finished wolf training possibly know?"

His dismissal stung, but I kept my cool. This was something I'd learned at Sentinel training - control your emotions, stay focused.

"Alpha Samuel," I met his eyes directly, "you keep asking for help, but what about Fury City's own defenses? In the last six months, how many civilians have gotten basic self-defense training? What about those watchtowers you were supposed to build? Have you planned and practiced evacuation routes?"

I paused, letting my questions sink in. The room went completely silent.

"We need this information to figure out what kind of help you actually need," I continued. "A month ago, a team from Polaris crossed your territory after Blood Moon City was attacked. We noticed some big problems with your coastal defenses - especially the lack of sea monitoring points."

A warrior standing behind Samuel suddenly lit up. "You're the one - " he started before Samuel glared at him, but he kept going anyway, "You designed those new patrol routes."

I nodded, waiting for their response. Everyone was so quiet I could hear them breathing. The warrior was clearly mind-linking with Samuel, and after a few seconds, Samuel turned to me.

"We've been using those patrol routes your team suggested, but we really don't have enough warriors. Especially along the coast - the terrain makes it hard to set up a complete monitoring system."

"So you haven't started building those watchtowers? And no civilian defense training either?" I asked directly, though I already knew the answer. Last year, we specifically recommended three strategic watchtowers to cover the entire coastline, plus basic training for all adults.

"The timing hasn't been... ideal for implementing those plans," the warrior answered awkwardly. "There were some... priorities with resource allocation."

"Security doesn't wait for 'ideal timing,'" I said firmly, channeling Griffin's lessons. "Every day you delay could cost lives. I don't think you get what Sentinels actually do - we provide expertise and tactics, but you have to implement them locally. This isn't about sending warriors to stand guard; it's about building defenses you can maintain yourselves."

Samuel's expression darkened, but I kept going. This wasn't about politics - people's lives were at stake.

"Sentinels can help with temporary defenses, but real security means every pack member can protect themselves and their families. You need these basics first; then we can talk about more advanced cooperation. This isn't a negotiation tactic, Alpha Samuel - it's just basic survival."

After I finished, I realized I might have stepped over the line. This was a meeting of high-ranking Alphas, and I was just a trainee. I nervously glanced at Nathan and Selena, worried I'd caused problems.

To my surprise, they didn't look upset at all. Selena gave me a small approving nod, and Nathan's lips curved into what looked like a satisfied smile.