Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 25

Evelyn

I stared at Mrs. Whitmore, who stood in my kitchen with the familiarity of someone who belonged there. Her hands were folded neatly at her waist, and she gave a polite nod but said nothing.

"Actually, I asked her to take care of you," Lily quickly explained, her eyes darting nervously between her mother and me. "You got hurt saving me, so it seemed only fair."

Mrs. Whitmore bowed her head respectfully, her expression giving nothing away. I narrowed my eyes, suspicious of this convenient explanation, but before I could pursue it further, my phone rang.

Professor Bennett's name flashed on the screen. Why would she call me this early?

"Ms. Gray," her voice was clipped and formal, "Jessica's parents are at the school causing a scene. The police have also arrived and are requesting your immediate presence."

My stomach dropped. "I'll be there as soon as possible."

As I hung up, I caught the woman's intense gaze. There was something unsettling about the way she looked at me—like she was trying to see beneath my skin.

Lily quickly stepped between us, suddenly remembering we hadn't been properly introduced.

"Oh! Eve, this is my mother, Olivia Pike," she said, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "Mom, this is Evelyn Gray, my friend who saved me from Jessica."

Olivia extended her hand, her grip firm and confident. "I've been looking forward to meeting you properly, Evelyn. My daughter speaks very highly of you." Her voice was warm but carried an underlying strength that reminded me of Devon. "I owe you a debt for protecting Lily."

I shook her hand, feeling an unexpected current of energy between us. There was something in her eyes—a recognition I couldn't quite understand.

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Pike," I replied carefully. "Though I wish it were under better circumstances."

"Jessica's parents are at the school," I explained, already moving to grab my jacket. "The police want me there."

"I'll drive you both," Olivia said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I won't let you face this alone."

In the car, Olivia called Devon. I tried not to react when his name appeared on her car's display.

"Jessica's parents are making trouble at the school," she informed him, her voice tight with controlled anger. "The police are involved."

I stared out the window, feeling the weight of what was coming. How many times had I been in this position? Accused, judged, with no one standing up for me?

"Don't worry," Lily whispered, squeezing my hand. "Mom and I won't let anyone mess with you."

I managed a small smile, but my mind was racing. In the rearview mirror, I caught Olivia studying me with that same penetrating look. What was she searching for?

---

When we arrived at my school, a small crowd had already gathered outside the administration building. I could hear the whispers as we approached.

"That's her... the one who attacked Jessica..."

Lily stepped closer to me, her protective instinct obvious. Among the onlookers, I spotted Kate, her lips curved in a satisfied smirk. Of course she would be here to witness my potential downfall.

As we approached the entrance, Mrs. Foster spotted me and jabbed a finger in my direction. "There she is! That's the girl who hurt my daughter!"

Then her eyes fell on Olivia, and her accusatory expression froze. "Mrs... Mrs. Pike?"

Mr. Foster turned pale. "She's... with the Hall family?"

The change in their demeanor was immediate and dramatic. Mrs. Foster's finger dropped, and her voice shifted to a nervous stammer. "This... this must be a misunderstanding. We just want to know what happened..."

Olivia stepped forward, positioning herself slightly in front of me. Her voice was cool and controlled, but I could sense the power beneath it. "Mr. and Mrs. Foster, I suggest you refrain from making accusations until we have all the facts."

Just then, another car pulled up—a sleek black sedan that practically screamed old money. My grandfather emerged first, followed by Victoria. My heart sank. This was the last thing I needed.

"Evelyn, are you alright?" Grandfather asked, his weathered face creased with concern as he approached.

When his eyes landed on Olivia, however, his expression hardened. "Hall family," he said, the words clipped and cold.

I looked between them, confused. "Grandpa, you know Mrs. Pike?"

He didn't answer, just gave Olivia a frigid look. "Let's go inside," he said instead.

Victoria trailed behind us, not bothering to ask if I was okay. "I hope you haven't brought disgrace to the Gray family name," she whispered as she passed me.

---

Inside the conference room, the tension was thick enough to choke on. The police officer, a stern-faced woman named Detective Blake, took control immediately.

Mrs. Foster tried once more to accuse me, but Detective Blake cut her off. "Mrs. Foster, we already have your statement. Now we need to hear from Ms. Gray."

Victoria sat with her arms crossed, her expression cold. "If you've done something wrong, Evelyn, just admit it now. Don't drag the Gray family through more scandal."

"Victoria, enough!" Grandfather snapped, his hand tightening around his wolf-head cane.

I took a deep breath. "I think everyone here should hear the truth."

Olivia reached over and squeezed Lily's hand. Lily straightened her spine and prepared to speak.

Detective Blake confirmed what I already knew—that Jessica had kidnapped Lily and intended to harm her. She laid out the evidence methodically.

"We have proof that Jessica hired men to assist in the kidnapping," she explained, showing phone records and bank transfers. "Text messages indicate clear premeditation."

Mrs. Foster's face had gone ashen. Mr. Foster stared at the floor.

"I acted purely in self-defense," I added quietly. "I went there only to save Lily."

The door opened, and Devon walked in. The atmosphere in the room instantly changed—like the air before a thunderstorm. His presence filled the space, commanding and undeniable.

His eyes found Lily and Olivia first, checking they were safe. Then his gaze settled on me, intense and searching.

"Hall Corporation has provided the police with complete surveillance footage from the abandoned amusement park," he announced, his voice deep and authoritative.

Grandfather and Devon locked eyes across the room. The hostility between them was palpable—two Alphas sizing each up. I looked between them, utterly confused. What history could they possibly share?

"No one harms those I care about without consequences," Devon said coldly to the Fosters.

Mrs. Foster seemed to shrink in her seat. "Mr. Hall, please understand, we had no idea—"

"No," Devon interrupted, his eyes flashing with a hint of gold. "This isn't a misunderstanding. This is a lesson."

"Hall," my grandfather interjected, his voice sharp, "I believe matters concerning my granddaughter would be better handled by the Gray family."

I looked between these two powerful men, increasingly bewildered by their mutual animosity. What wasn't I seeing?

When the meeting ended, Grandfather turned to me. "Come back to the family territory for a few days, Evelyn. We have important family matters to discuss this week."

Devon's jaw tightened. "She's still recovering from her injuries. She needs professional care, not to return to a place where no one treats her as family."

"William," Olivia intervened, her voice gentle but firm, "perhaps Evelyn should decide for herself."

I stood frozen between these two powerful families, feeling the weight of their expectations and the pressure of their conflict. Why did it seem like Devon and my grandfather hated each other? What was I missing?

As I looked from Devon to William, I couldn't help but wonder: what kind of history do they share?