Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 13

Evelyn

"You look a bit feverish," Devon said suddenly, rising from his chair. "I'll get some water to help cool you down."

Before I could protest, he disappeared into the small bathroom attached to my hospital room. I heard the faucet running and tried to calm my racing heart. What was happening here? Why was the Alpha of Bloodfang Pack personally caring for me?

Devon returned carrying a small basin of water. My body tensed involuntarily as he approached. He set the basin on the bedside table and dipped a washcloth into it, wringing out the excess water.

"This should help," he said, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it.

When he reached toward my face with the cool cloth, I instinctively flinched.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Evelyn," he said, pausing mid-motion.

"I know," I replied, though I wasn't entirely sure I did. "It's just... reflex."

Devon nodded, understanding in his blue eyes, then gently pressed the cool cloth against my forehead. The sensation was both soothing and overwhelming. His Alpha scent—pine and wilderness—was even stronger at this proximity, making me feel simultaneously safe and on edge.

"The silver caused a high fever," he explained as he carefully wiped my face. "Your body is fighting hard against it."

I closed my eyes, allowing myself this moment of care. When was the last time someone had tended to me like this? Three years? Longer?

"Why are you doing this?" I whispered, eyes still closed.

Devon didn't answer immediately. When I opened my eyes, I found him staring at me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"Does there need to be a reason?" he finally asked, returning the cloth to the basin.

After he finished cooling my face, Devon returned to his chair. The silence between us stretched uncomfortably. He pulled out his phone, occasionally looking up to check on me. I searched for something to say, anything to break this strange tension, but my mind remained stubbornly blank.

The medication they'd given me for the silver poisoning was making me drowsy. I fought against it, not wanting to fall asleep with Devon watching over me.

"You should rest," Devon said, noticing my struggle to keep my eyes open. "Silver damage drains a lot of energy."

"I'm fine," I mumbled, even as my eyelids grew heavier.

"Sleep, Evelyn. I'll be here."

That was exactly what I was afraid of—the vulnerability of sleeping in the presence of an Alpha. But between the medication and my body's exhaustion from fighting the silver, I had little choice. My eyes closed against my will, and darkness enveloped me.

In my dream, I was surrounded by wolves. Their eyes gleamed with accusation, their growls forming a chorus of condemnation. I recognized faces in the pack—Kate and Victoria prominent among them, their human features somehow visible despite their wolf forms.

"Failure."

"White freak."

"Out of control."

The words hissed around me like poisonous gas. I tried to run, but my legs wouldn't move.

In the distance stood a powerful black wolf with piercing eyes, watching me with cold detachment. Devon. He made no move to help as the pack closed in, tearing at my flesh, driving me away.

"You don't belong," Kate's voice snarled. "No one wants the white monster."

I jolted awake with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs. My left arm throbbed with pain from the sudden movement. Disoriented, I blinked rapidly, trying to remember where I was.

The hospital room. The silver poisoning.

And Devon, still sitting in the chair beside my bed, watching me with that same gaze from my nightmare.

"Bad dream?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. How long had I been asleep? Judging by the faint light coming through the window, it was early morning. Had he been here all night?

"What do you want from me?" I finally asked, my voice hoarse.

Devon raised an eyebrow. "Is something bothering you? Is the wound still painful?"

I avoided his gaze. "Just wondering why you're still here."

"You were injured with silver," he said simply, as if that explained everything.

"I've dealt with silver before," I countered. "On my own."

Devon stood up, straightening his suit jacket. "I'll go get you some breakfast. You need energy to help speed the healing process."

Before I could respond, he was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I must have dozed off again because a knock at the door startled me awake. Assuming it was Devon returning with food, I called out, "Come in."

To my surprise, Brian pushed the door open, carrying a takeout bag and a bouquet of flowers.

"How did you find me here?" I asked, feeling the discomfort of his proximity.

Brian flashed what he clearly thought was a charming smile as he approached the bed. "I heard you were hospitalized because of Jessica. I thought I'd check on you."

He placed the flowers on the side table, too close for comfort.

"I brought breakfast too," he said, setting the bag down. "And about what happened at the grocery store—"

"What do you want, Brian?" I cut him off.

He sat on the edge of my bed uninvited. "I heard you and Jessica had a fight over me. I understand, you know. I've seen how you look at me in class."

I stared at him, completely baffled. "What are you talking about?"

"It's okay," he continued, his voice dropping to what he probably thought was a seductive tone. "I get it. You and Jessica fighting over me—it happens all the time. Women can't help being attracted to me."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This idiot thought I was interested in him? That Jessica and I were fighting over him?

"The first time I saw you," Brian went on, "I knew there was something special between us. You don't have to be jealous of Jessica—"

"Are you serious right now?" I interrupted, anger building inside me. "You think Jessica and I were fighting over you?"

Brian mistook my anger for passion. "I understand you're upset. Jessica hurt you because she's jealous. Don't worry, I'm thinking of breaking up with her anyway."

That was it. I grabbed the flower bouquet with my good hand, a sharp pain shooting up my arm from the sudden movement, but I ignored it.

"Get out!" I shouted, throwing the flowers at him.

Brian stepped back, shocked. "Hey, calm down—"

"Leave! Now!" I snarled. "I have zero interest in you! Jessica is wasting her time with a self-absorbed narcissist like you!"

Brian backed toward the door, his expression shifting from surprise to indignation. "Fine. You're clearly emotionally unstable right now. We'll talk another time."

As he left, I heard him mutter something about women being unable to handle his charm.

A few minutes later, the door opened again. Assuming Brian had returned, I grabbed my pillow and hurled it with all my strength.

"Get out!"

The pillow hit Devon square in the chest as he stood in the doorway, holding a bag of breakfast. He raised an eyebrow, looking from the pillow at his feet to me, then to the scattered flowers on the floor.

"I'm... sorry, Mr. Hall," I stammered, mortified. "I thought you were..."

Devon's lips twitched slightly as he surveyed the scene. "I see I missed something interesting."