Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 136

Devon

I jolted awake, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape. Evelyn's scream still echoed in my mind—her body falling, blood pooling beneath her pale form. Sweat soaked through my shirt as I gasped for breath.

"Evelyn," I reached for my phone with trembling fingers.

Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

The phone rang once, twice, seven times before going to voicemail.

"Fuck," I growled, immediately dialing again.

Nothing.

My wolf stirred within me, agitated and anxious. Something had happened to her—I was certain of it. I punched in Aiden's number, my knuckles white around the phone.

"Hall," Aiden's voice answered, sounding tired but alert.

"Where is she?" I demanded, not bothering with pleasantries.

A pause. Too long. My wolf growled.

"Devon, I—"

"Where the fuck is Evelyn?" My voice dropped dangerously low.

Aiden sighed. "Seattle General. Third floor."

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What happened?" I asked, already grabbing clothes from my closet.

"She fell from a second-story window. We were tracking Vera White, and things went sideways."

I cursed viciously. "I'll be there in twenty minutes. If anything happens to her before I arrive, I'll hold you personally responsible."

I hung up, not waiting for a response.

---

I screeched my car to a halt in front of Seattle General Hospital. I hadn't bothered changing into a suit, dressed only in jeans and a black henley, my hair still uncombed. The hospital staff scattered before me.

I found Aiden in the hallway outside the critical care unit, a young girl sitting beside him with red-rimmed eyes.

"What happened?" My voice cut through the sterile hospital air like a knife.

Aiden stood, looking exhausted. "She's stable now. Head injury, neck trauma. They're still assessing—"

"That's not what I asked," I interrupted, stepping closer. "What the hell were you thinking, taking her out on some vigilante mission?"

Aiden met my gaze unflinchingly. "We discovered Vera was targeting Aileen. There wasn't time to call you."

"There's always time," I growled, feeling my eyes flash gold momentarily. "You should have contacted me immediately."

"I didn't—we didn't—" Aileen tried to speak but broke into tears under my cold glare.

"She sensed Aileen was in danger," Aiden explained, stepping protectively in front of the girl. "You know how she is. She wouldn't wait."

My jaw clenched so tightly I thought my teeth might crack. Of course I knew. Evelyn would throw herself into danger for anyone she cared about—it was one of the things I loved about her and one of the things that terrified me most.

"Where is she?" I demanded.

"Room 312," Aiden answered. "But Devon—"

I was already striding down the hallway, my heart pounding against my ribs. The scent of antiseptic and illness assaulted my sensitive nose as I pushed open the door to Evelyn's room.

My breath caught in my throat. She looked so small in the hospital bed, her head wrapped in bandages, a cervical collar around her neck. Her skin was ghostly pale against the white sheets, an IV dripping steadily into her arm. The steady beep of the heart monitor provided the only reassurance that she was still with me.

"Get me the hospital administrator," I ordered a startled nurse checking Evelyn's vitals. "Now."

"Sir, visiting hours haven't—"

"Do you know who I am?" My voice was deadly calm.

The nurse paled. "Mr. Hall, I—"

"This hospital's west wing was funded by Hall Enterprises. Get me the administrator and the doctor in charge of werewolf trauma. This patient needs to be moved to a secure room immediately."

"Y-yes, sir." She hurried out.

I moved to Evelyn's bedside, gently taking her hand in mine. Her fingers were cold, and I wrapped both hands around hers, trying to warm them.

"You're not going to lose her."

I turned at the voice. Felix stood in the doorway, his white coat rumpled as if he'd been wearing it all night. His expression was a mixture of concern and resentment.

"She's been here all night, and you show up now?" Felix's accusation cut deep. "Some Alpha you are."

My eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself."

"No, you watch yourself." Felix stepped into the room. "Evelyn's been here for hours. She lost a lot of blood, has a concussion, and her cervical vertebrae are damaged. And where were you, her supposed protector?"

"I want this entire floor cleared. No one comes near her without my approval."

Felix scoffed. "You can't just—"

"I can and I will." My voice held no room for argument. "Clear the floor. Anyone who isn't directly involved in her care leaves immediately."

"This is a hospital, not your private territory," Felix protested.

"Everything in Seattle is my territory." I felt my eyes flash gold again. "And I'll remind you that Hall Enterprises provides the cutting-edge werewolf medical equipment this hospital uses. Would be a shame if that relationship became... strained."

The threat hung in the air between us, but I didn't care. Nothing mattered except Evelyn's recovery.

A small groan from the bed drew both our attention. Evelyn's eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding her silver gaze before recognition set in.

"Devon?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I was at her side instantly. "I'm here."

"Aileen... is she..."

"She's fine," I assured her. "You, on the other hand, are not."

Evelyn tried to shift and winced. "It wasn't as bad as it looks."

"Don't," I warned, my voice tight. "Don't downplay this."

She blinked up at me. "We had to move quickly. Vera was going to—"

"What am I to you?" The question burst from me before I could stop it. "Because I thought we had an understanding. I told you to inform me before taking any action."

"I couldn't wait," Evelyn argued weakly. "By the time I got hold of you, Aileen would have been gone."

I slammed my fist on the small table beside her bed, making the water glass jump. "So you decided to risk your life instead? Is that it?"

I felt my eyes blaze golden as my control slipped. "Were you planning to trade your life for hers?"

Evelyn opened her mouth to respond, but instead, a harsh cough wracked her body. I watched in horror as blood flecked her lips.

"Evelyn!" Felix rushed forward, pushing me aside. "Get out of the way!"

Evelyn's coughing intensified, more blood appearing. The monitors began to beep erratically as Felix frantically checked her vitals.

Aiden burst into the room. "What's happening?"

"She's bleeding internally," Felix snapped, hitting the emergency call button. "And this idiot is yelling at her instead of letting her rest!" In a sudden move, Felix turned and drove his fist into my jaw.

I staggered back, more from surprise than pain. I could have torn him apart for the disrespect, but the fear in his eyes stopped me.

"You're supposed to protect her," Felix spat. "Get out! Now!"

Medical staff rushed in, surrounding Evelyn's bed. I stood frozen, watching as they raised the rails and began wheeling her toward the door.

"Move!" someone shouted at me, and I found myself pushed into the hallway, the doors to the emergency surgical suite swinging shut in my face.

I stood there, tasting my own blood where my teeth had cut my cheek, my wolf howling in anguish within me. I'd failed her. Again. The very sight of her injured had made me lose control, and now she was worse because of it.

I slid down the wall to the floor, my head in my hands, and did something I hadn't done since I was a child.

I prayed.