Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 153

Devon

I leaned against my car, eyes fixed on the research facility's glass doors. My watch showed 5:27 PM—Evelyn should've been out by now. After this morning's fight with Shawn and today's chaos with Miles, I was determined to be here for her, to show her I could be the support she needed.

The doors finally slid open. Evelyn emerged, her face a mask of forced composure that broke my heart. Her silver-gray eyes were dulled by exhaustion, her shoulders slumped under an invisible weight. She didn't notice me at first, lost in her own thoughts.

When our eyes met, something crumbled inside her. The carefully constructed facade shattered, and tears welled up, streaming down her face before she could stop them.

"Evelyn," I rushed forward, wrapping my arms around her. Her body trembled against mine as silent sobs shook her frame. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm so fucking sorry about everything—about Shawn, about fighting. I shouldn't have lost control like that."

She clutched my shirt, her tears soaking through the fabric as she finally allowed herself to break down. People passing by glanced our way, but I couldn't give less of a shit about their stares. All that mattered was the woman falling apart in my arms.

"It's not just you," she managed between sobs, her voice muffled against my chest. "It's everything, Devon. Miles betrayed us... after all we did for him. Everyone's worked so hard, and this project might never... we might never break through."

Understanding washed over me. Her breakdown wasn't just about my territorial bullshit with Shawn—it was the culmination of weeks of pressure, betrayal, and scientific dead ends.

"Hey, look at me," I gently tilted her chin up. "If this project is too difficult, we can shelve it. We'll find another way, bring in different researchers—"

"No!" The fierceness in her voice caught me off guard. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "How can you even suggest abandoning this project? If it succeeds, it could help werewolves resist silver poisoning. It could even improve relations between wolves and humans. That was your vision when you started this. I want to be part of that."

Her passion, even through her tears, reminded me why I'd fallen for her in the first place. This woman never took the easy way out.

"You're right," I conceded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Let's get you home. You need rest before we figure out next steps."

---

The drive back to Sterling Mansion was quiet. Evelyn stared out the window, emotionally spent. The sunset painted the Seattle skyline in hues of orange and purple, a beautiful sight that neither of us fully appreciated.

"I've been thinking," I broke the silence, keeping my voice gentle. "Maybe we should get away for a few days. Go to the coast, breathe some sea air. Away from all the bullshit."

She turned toward me, a flicker of interest in her reddened eyes. "After the project pause... I suppose I could leave for a bit. The ocean air might do me good."

By the time we reached Sterling Mansion, Evelyn was half-asleep, the emotional dam breaking had left her completely drained. I helped her inside, up the stairs, and into her bedroom.

"Take a shower," I suggested softly. "I'll be right here."

She nodded, disappearing into the bathroom. I heard the water running and tried not to think about her naked under the shower spray. This wasn't the time. Instead, I called down to Ryan, asking him to prepare some light food for Evelyn to have in her room.

When she emerged in a soft robe, her hair damp, she looked marginally better—still exhausted, but the tension had eased from her shoulders.

"Come here," I patted the bed beside me.

She crawled under the covers without argument, a testament to how drained she truly was. I grabbed a towel and gently dried her hair, my fingers working through the damp strands.

"You don't have to do this," she murmured, her eyes already half-closed.

"I want to," I replied simply.

Her eyes were swollen from crying, dark circles prominent beneath them. I'd never seen her this vulnerable, and it awakened every protective instinct in my body. I would destroy anyone who caused her this pain—including myself, if necessary.

Within minutes, her breathing deepened. I pressed a kiss to her forehead and quietly left the room, instructing Ryan to make sure she wasn't disturbed.

---

In the mansion's study, Jason waited with his laptop, his expression grave.

"What do you have?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

"Miles sent the stolen DNA research data to an IP address registered offshore, but the actual location appears to be right here in Seattle." Jason pulled up a map with a blinking dot. "The recipient accessed the files from this location."

I leaned over his shoulder, studying the map. "This isn't just corporate espionage, Jason. This threatens our entire species' safety."

"I understand, sir." Jason nodded grimly. "I've already dispatched security teams to monitor that location discreetly. If we detect any unusual activity, we'll know immediately."

"Good. What about the Hall lab's current status?"

"Security protocols have been upgraded to maximum. All data is now triple-encrypted, and we've implemented biometric verification for all access points." Jason pulled up another screen. "Evelyn's specific experimental approach is on hold for review, but the overall development of the silver resistance system continues."

I ran a hand through my hair, thinking of Evelyn upstairs, broken by the setbacks. "Even if Evelyn needs time to regroup, we can't stop our protective measures. When she's ready to continue, everything will be waiting for her."

"Understood, sir." Jason said.

---

Then I went to Lydia's restaurant. Lydia herself emerged from the kitchen, her weathered face breaking into a concerned frown when she saw me alone.

"Where's Evelyn?" she asked without preamble.

“Sleeping. Today was... difficult.” I followed her to a private booth in the back, where Scarlett, Lydia’s old friend, was waiting.

"You look like hell warmed over," Scarlett remarked, sipping her red wine with a critical eye. "That fight with the Green boy did a number on you, didn't it?"

"News travels fast in pack circles."

"That fight with Shawn was the least of Evelyn's problems today," I muttered, accepting the whiskey Lydia placed before me with a grateful nod. "One of her researchers betrayed the project. Sold data to a competitor. The project's on hold while they regroup."

Lydia clicked her tongue sympathetically. "That poor girl can't catch a break, can she? First, you and Shawn had a fight, now this?"

"She needs time away," I said, feeling ashamed.

Lydia set down a plate of food in front of me before settling into the booth beside Scarlett. "You need to take better care of that girl, Devon. She's been through more pain than most wolves twice her age. The fact that she opens up to you, that she trusts you with her vulnerabilities—that's rare for someone who's been betrayed so many times."

"I know that," I said defensively.

"Do you?" Lydia's eyes bore into mine. "Love isn't just about protecting someone with your strength, boy. It's about giving them more love than they give you. Always more. That girl loves you fiercely—I can see it in how she looks at you. But have you loved her even more fiercely in return?"

Her words hit me like a physical blow. Had I? Or had I been too focused on my own needs?

"I'm trying," I admitted. "I'm taking her to the coastal property for a few days. She needs to heal, to find her balance again."

Lydia nodded approvingly. "That's a start."

As I ate the meal Lydia had prepared, I found myself thinking about what it meant to truly love someone like Evelyn. My wolf had claimed her from the moment we met, but the man in me was still learning how to be what she needed—not just an Alpha, not just a protector, but a partner who put her needs above his own.