Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 133

Devon

After parting with Evelyn, I sat in the car, considering my options. I realized that Gregory's threat was imminent and I had to take the initiative.

"Contact Gregory," I decided. "Tell him I want to meet tomorrow."

Jason's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Are you sure that's wise, sir?"

"I need to know what he's really after," I said, my voice hardening as I thought of Evelyn. "Set it up for tomorrow, somewhere private. No cameras, no witnesses."

"Consider it done," Jason nodded, turning to leave.

"And Jason," I called after him, "make sure our security team remains invisible but ready."

---

The next afternoon, I stood in the presidential suite of the Grand Seattle Hotel, gazing out at the skyline while I waited. I'd deliberately chosen this location—the hotel's most secure floor, with no surveillance cameras in the private meeting areas and my own security discretely positioned throughout the building.

When the door opened, I didn't turn immediately. Let him come to me.

"Mr. Hall," Gregory greeted, his Canadian accent subtle but noticeable. "I must admit, I was surprised by your invitation."

I gestured to the seating area without a smile. "Let's not waste time with pleasantries."

Gregory chuckled as he took a seat opposite me. His tailored suit and manicured appearance couldn't mask the calculating glint in his eyes.

"You're here about that Gray girl with the white wolf, aren't you?" Gregory asked bluntly.

I kept my expression neutral, though my fingers tightened imperceptibly around my whiskey glass at his dismissive tone when referring to Evelyn. "What exactly do you want with Evelyn and the Sterling property?"

Gregory's smile widened. "Straight to business. I like that." He leaned forward. "I'll be equally direct. I couldn't care less about that piece of land. I only want what's kept inside."

"And what might that be?" I asked, though I already suspected the answer.

"Don't play dumb, Hall," Gregory snapped. "The Sterling family has protected their secrets for generations. Isabel knew what she was doing when she kept that house."

I set down my glass carefully. "There are legends about the Sterling family's ancient artifacts. I assumed they were just stories to entertain pups."

"Those aren't just stories," Gregory said, suddenly wary.

"If such items exist, they belong to Evelyn," I countered. "Isabel left everything to her."

Gregory's face contorted with anger. "That girl isn't even a direct Sterling descendant! She has no right—"

"She has every right," I cut in, my voice dropping to a dangerous timbre. "Your father abandoned the Moonheal pack when it was struggling."

My wolf stirred within me, furious at his disrespect. "She's worked harder than anyone to rebuild what's left of the Moonheal pack and the Gray business," I said, my eyes flashing with barely contained anger. "While you've been comfortable overseas, she's been fighting battles you can't even imagine."

I stood up, towering over Gregory. "Besides, who still believes in those old bloodline legends in this technological age?" I said mockingly. "The property is legally hers. The courts have already decided."

I moved toward the door, satisfied that I'd made my point. "I didn't come here to argue pointless matters with you. I simply wanted to make something clear: Evelyn is under my protection now. Anyone who tries to harm her will answer to me."

The threat hung in the air as I left, closing the door firmly behind me. My wolf was restless, urging me to return and physically dominate this challenger to our territory—to our mate. But I knew that wasn't the way. Gregory Sterling was dangerous, but not because of his physical strength. His scheming was the real threat, and I needed to be smarter than him.

---

Gregory

I swiped my arm across the table, sending glasses and documents crashing to the floor. "North American wolves are always so fucking arrogant!" I roared, pacing the suite like a caged animal.

Jake, my Beta, entered cautiously, surveying the damage. "Sir, there's someone here to see you. Vera White from the European packs."

My face twisted with disgust. "The White family? Send her away. I want nothing to do with them."

"Sir," Jake said quietly, "the White family has considerable influence in Eastern Europe. If she's reaching out, she must want something. This could be an opportunity to gain a favor."

I paused, considering the suggestion. The Whites weren't to be trusted, but perhaps they could be useful.

"The Whites have dealings with hunters and underground organizations," I reminded Jake. "Nothing good comes from associating with them."

"She's been asking questions about Evelyn Gray," Jake added in a hushed tone.

My head snapped up. "What? Why would Vera White be investigating her? And now, she is asking for me." My eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Could she know about the totem? About the treasure? How would Eastern European wolves know about that?"

Did someone inside leak my plan to her?

I grabbed Jake by the collar. "Find out who in our pack has been in contact with the White family recently. Someone may be talking too much."

After a moment of tense silence, I released him and straightened my own jacket. I needed to think clearly. Hall's unexpected knowledge about the Sterling legends had thrown me off balance.

"I need to change my approach," I muttered, more to myself than to Jake. "If I can't take the territory from her by force, perhaps we can reach an agreement."

I stared out at the Seattle skyline, my reflection grim in the glass. "Let's go find her."

I needed to re-evaluate this girl, see for myself what she's capable of.

---

Later that evening, I arrived at Sterling Mansion, my sleek black car crunching on the gravel driveway.

In the sunroom, I found her. She bent over a piece of parchment, carefully writing something.

I stood in the doorway, observing silently. The symbols flowing from her pen weren't ordinary writing—they were ancient werewolf runes, symbols that hadn't been commonly used in centuries. My father had shown me similar writings once, claiming they were part of our heritage, but I'd never learned to write them myself.

"It takes true blood inheritance to write those old wolf runes correctly," I remarked, making her turn in surprise.

Evelyn immediately stood up, her eyes narrowing. "What do you want now?"