Chapter 36: Your Performance Today Was Truly Outstanding
Evelyn's POV
"You awake?" Orion's voice came from beside me, teasing.
I turned my head and found him watching me, eyes sparkling with mischief. I nodded, working out the kinks in my neck.
"Good thing you didn't stay unconscious for days again, or you would've missed the selection." His tone was definitely mocking me now.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. Orion glanced around, lowering his voice. "Everyone's wiped. This selection's brutal."
The peaceful scene hit me different after such an intense day. Seeing these familiar faces sleeping around me sent unexpected warmth through my chest.
The car slowed to a stop. Magnus let out a massive yawn and rubbed his eyes. "Wake up, everyone. We're home. Almost dozed off myself."
Everyone stirred, stretching and making various groaning sounds. Nadia lifted her head from Milo's arms, pillow marks still pressed into her cheek.
We stumbled out and headed toward the pack house. The sky was darkening, but warm light spilled from every window.
Luna Isabella met us at the door, immediately steadying Magnus who was swaying on his feet. "You all did amazing today. Dinner's ready - eat and get some rest."
Her gentle voice could smooth away any exhaustion. My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly, reminding me I'd barely eaten since breakfast.
The dining room was already buzzing. Alpha King Nathan's family sat at the main table with Sentinel Conrad. When we walked in, their faces lit up.
"Evelyn!" Luna Queen Selena spoke first. "Your performance today was incredible! Absolutely stunning to watch."
"Agreed," Sentinel Conrad nodded.
Alpha King Nathan smiled approvingly. "I've watched plenty of werewolves go through selections, but someone so young with that level of skill? That's rare."
All this praise made me squirm. After years of being invisible, suddenly being the center of attention felt surreal.
"Thank you." I kept it simple, then noticed something odd.
Prince Alistair sat at the far end, unusually quiet. He kept his head down, picking at his food, occasionally glancing at me with this weird expression before looking away fast. Complete opposite of yesterday's confident prince.
Alpha King Nathan caught my confused look and burst out laughing. "You noticed! Our prince ran into some serious competition today. Got his ass handed to him and he's sulking."
The table erupted in laughter. Even Alistair lifted his head, embarrassment flashing across his face before he forced a smile.
I didn't push for details. Right now I just wanted food and sleep. The selection hadn't just drained me physically - staying that focused for hours was mentally exhausting.
We wolfed down dinner without joining the conversation. After saying our goodnights, we dragged ourselves upstairs.
By the time I reached the third floor, my legs felt like concrete. I pushed open my door and didn't even bother washing up, just collapsed straight onto the bed. The soft mattress swallowed my tired body, and consciousness faded fast.
---
Something made me tense up. Years of hypervigilance kept me alert even in sleep. I jerked awake with one panicked thought - shit, did I miss the selection?
I tried to sit up but something pinned me down. Carefully moving the warm weight, I discovered Nadia sprawled across the bed, one leg draped over me. Yesterday must've really wiped her out - she usually slept like a proper lady.
Then I looked around and froze.
All the boys were in my room!
Magnus and Lucian had somehow crammed themselves onto the tiny corner sofa, two huge guys squeezed together like sardines. Elliot and Milo sat on the floor against the armrest, heads tilted at awkward angles. Orion was curled up at the foot of my bed.
What the hell?
Then I remembered - today was a rest day. The selection continued tomorrow.
Relief flooded through me. I leaned back against the headboard, studying these sleeping figures. Warmth spread through my chest.
Nadia stirred next to me, rubbing her eyes and yawning. Then, like she'd been struck by lightning, she pounced on me, shaking my shoulders.
"Evie! Wake up! Wake up!" Her voice cracked with urgency. "We're gonna be late for the selection! Come on!"
Her thrashing was so violent it woke everyone. The boys opened their eyes one by one, looking around confused before focusing on us.
When they were fully awake, their faces showed barely contained laughter. Elliot cracked first, then Milo, until the whole room was fighting back giggles.
Nadia kept shaking me frantically. "Evie! Why aren't you getting up? We're seriously gonna be late!"
I couldn't help smiling at her panic. The boys all wore shit-eating grins, not one of them bothering to clue her in.
Finally, Nadia noticed something was off. She stopped shaking and stared at my smile, then turned to the boys. Seeing their expressions, her eyes went wide.
"Wait..." She smacked her forehead. "Oh right! Today's a rest day!"
Everyone lost it completely. Even Magnus was doubled over laughing.
"Yesterday fried my brain," Nadia said sheepishly, blushing.
After the laughter died down, I got up to wash. Orion stopped me at the door.
"Where you going?" He frowned.
I gestured at my gross clothes from yesterday. "To shower, obviously. You guys should too. My room reeks of boy sweat."
Lucian climbed off the sofa, stretching with his trademark grin. "Isn't that perfect? Now you smell us every day. Makes the memory stick. Otherwise you might forget us, battle maniac."
I laughed and shook my head. "Never gonna happen."
Three simple words, but they shifted something in the room. The boys exchanged glances as Nadia and I slipped into the bathroom.
Hot water washed away yesterday's grime and exhaustion. I closed my eyes, letting it flow over every inch of skin. My mind kept circling back to the same question - why had they guarded my room all night?
"Why do you think they slept here?" Nadia seemed to read my thoughts, working shampoo through her hair.
"No clue. Maybe they were worried about us?"
"Worried about what? That we'd sneak out to train?"
Actually, that sounded exactly like something I'd do.
When we came out in towels, the boys were still there. They'd straightened up the sofa and were having a quiet conversation that stopped dead when they saw us.
"Why are you still here?" I asked, toweling my hair. "Don't you need showers?"
Magnus stood up, golden eyes serious. "We're making sure you actually rest today."
He paused, mouth curving into a knowing smile. "I bet if we leave now, by the time we get back, someone will definitely be at the training field."
Being read so easily made me laugh awkwardly. He was absolutely right - if they weren't here, I'd probably already be gone.