Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 142

Evelyn

The next day, Eric, Devon's friend, and I set off at the agreed time.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked as he pulled his car into the long, winding driveway of the Stone estate. His knuckles were white against the steering wheel, betraying his tension despite his casual tone.

I glanced at the moonlight stone gift basket in my lap, an expensive traditional offering that Eric had insisted on bringing. "I'm not sure of anything with the Stone family, but I'm sure about helping those babies."

Eric sighed, parking in front of the imposing mansion. "Just remember what I told you about Kyle and Adalyn. They've never liked me much." He gave me a sideways glance. "Don't take anything they say personally. Sebastian's parents are traditional to the point of being assholes."

"I've dealt with worse," I said, thinking of my own family.

As we approached the front door, Eric leaned closer. "My grandmother is old-school but fair. She used to be quite powerful before she got sick."

A stern-faced maid led us into an opulent sitting room where two people waited.

"Eric," Kyle acknowledged with minimal warmth. His gaze slid to me with undisguised suspicion. "And this must be the Gray girl."

Before I could respond, Adalyn stepped forward, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We didn't agree to visitors today. Especially not... outsiders." The way she emphasized the last word made it clear what she thought of me.

"I brought a traditional offering," Eric said smoothly, taking the basket from my hands.

"How thoughtful," Adalyn replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm afraid she isn't receiving visitors. Her condition is delicate."

I stepped forward. "That's precisely why I'm here. Eric mentioned her silver poisoning, and I might be able to help."

Adalyn's eyebrows shot up. "Help? You?" She laughed, a brittle sound that echoed in the high-ceilinged room. "What could you possibly do that our doctors haven't?"

"Evelyn is a gifted healer," Eric said firmly. "She's helped many wolves with silver exposure."

Kyle cleared his throat, his expression shifting slightly. "We... appreciate your concern, but we have the situation under control."

"Actually," I said, meeting his gaze steadily, "if you've been managing it for this long without improvement, I doubt that's true."

Adalyn's face flushed with anger, but Kyle raised a hand to stop her retort. "If you believe you can help, we won't turn down assistance. I've been trying to get the best treatment for my mother."

The way he emphasized "I" told me everything I needed to know about who would try to take credit if my treatment worked.

"Eric asked me to come," I clarified firmly. "Let's be clear about that."

Kyle's smile tightened. "Of course. This way."

They led us to a sunroom where an elderly woman sat in a wheelchair, wrapped in blankets despite the warm day. Her eyes were alert and fierce even as her body seemed frail, her hands trembling slightly as they gripped a wolf-headed cane.

"Grandma," Eric said, stepping forward with genuine respect. "I've brought someone who might be able to help you."

The old woman's gaze shifted to me, assessing and intelligent. She made a gesture with her hand.

"She wants to know who you are," Kyle translated.

"I'm Evelyn Gray," I said, approaching slowly. "I understand you're suffering from silver poisoning. With your permission, I'd like to examine you."

Mrs. Stone nodded.

I knelt beside her wheelchair and gently took one of her hands. "I'll need to check a few things. This won't hurt."

Working methodically, I examined her eyes, pulse, and the discoloration along her veins. I could sense the silver accumulation in her system—not from a wound but something more insidious. After ten minutes of careful assessment, I sat back.

"You have significant silver poisoning, but there's no external wound. This level of contamination likely came through food or drink over a prolonged period." I looked directly at Mrs. Stone. "That explains your weakened wolf form and difficulty speaking. If it continues, it will eventually reach your heart."

Kyle paled visibly. "You're saying someone's been poisoning her?"

"I'm saying silver has been entering her system regularly," I replied carefully. "Whether intentional or not, I can't say."

"And can you treat it?" Eric asked.

"Yes. With my healing ability and some specially prepared herbs, you should see noticeable improvement within a week. Full recovery would take about a month."

Adalyn scoffed. "That's quite a claim. How do we know you have any actual healing ability and aren't just looking for Stone family money?"

I turned toward her, my patience wearing thin. "You haven't been sleeping well lately, have you? Waking up before dawn, unable to fall back asleep. Your joints ache more than usual, especially your left knee. And you've been having headaches you haven't told anyone about."

Adalyn's mouth fell open. "How could you possibly—"

"The same way I know Mrs. Stone has silver poisoning," I replied coolly. "I'm from the Moonheal pack."

"Can you help with those symptoms too?" she asked, suddenly much more interested.

I shrugged. "I could, but since you don't trust my abilities, I wouldn't feel comfortable prescribing any treatment for you."

Mrs. Stone's eyes crinkled slightly at the corners—the ghost of a smile.

"I didn't come here just to discuss Mrs. Stone's treatment," I continued, standing up. My voice grew serious. "I have another purpose today—to advocate for Kate and her unborn children."

Adalyn's face instantly hardened. "What does that have to do with us?"

"I want to ensure she receives the care and respect she deserves," I said firmly.

"The Gray family reputation is well-known," Adalyn spat. "That woman—"

"Silence!" I cut her off sharply. "Weren't you the one who wanted to marry into the Sterling family for their territory and wealth? Don't pretend you're concerned about bloodlines when it's power you want."

Adalyn's eyes widened with shock at my boldness.

"Kate is pregnant and being mistreated in your home," I continued, my voice cold. "A pregnant she-wolf receiving nothing but scraps to eat—is that the Stone family way?"

Mrs. Stone's eyes flashed with anger at this information. Her mouth opened, but no sound emerged, her frustration visible as she tried to speak.

Adalyn sneered. "She deserves it. The way she threw herself at Sebastian, not knowing her place—"

"If that's how you feel," I said, standing abruptly, "I see no reason to waste my time here."

I turned as if to leave, counting silently. One... two...

The sharp crack of wood against bone split the air. Mrs. Stone had summoned her strength and struck Adalyn across the forehead with her wolf-headed cane.

"Ah!" Adalyn cried out, blood immediately streaming from the gash on her forehead.

Mrs. Stone trembled with rage, her cane still raised in the air as if she wanted to strike again. Her eyes burned with fury as she glared at her daughter-in-law.

Kyle rushed to Adalyn's side but froze when Mrs. Stone turned her fierce gaze on him. The room went deadly silent.

I watched the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction. I'd counted on Mrs. Stone's reaction—old wolves might be traditional, but they understood the importance of protecting pregnant pack members.

Mrs. Stone turned back to me, her eyes softening with pleading and regret. She pointed to herself, then gestured in the direction of Kate's room with shaking fingers.

The message was clear: 'Help me, and I'll help Kate.'