Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 29

Evelyn

On the day of the formal hearing, I had expected everything to go smoothly as planned, but they tried to defeat me once again with rumors and gossip.

The courthouse steps swarmed with reporters, their cameras flashing like strobe lights as I pushed through the crowd. Every muscle in my body tensed as I maintained a carefully blank expression, calling on years of practiced self-control.

"Miss Gray! Is it true you're Devon Hall's secret lover?" A reporter shoved a microphone toward my face.

Another one pressed closer. "Sources claim you've received special protection from Hall Industries because of your personal relationship with Devon Hall. Would you care to comment?"

I tightened my grip on my purse, feeling the silver wound on my arm throb in response to my rising stress. "Excuse me. I have no obligation to respond," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the rage building inside me.

More cameras flashed, the silver in their mechanisms sending tiny jolts of pain through my partially healed wound. I maintained my composure, though I could feel my wolf stirring restlessly beneath my skin, sensing danger.

As I made my way down the courthouse steps, I spotted Kate and my mother standing to the side, purposely speaking loud enough for me to hear.

"Looks like my sister found herself a new protector," Kate said with a smirk. "One even more powerful than the Gray family."

I walked past them, meeting Kate's gaze with silver-gray eyes cold as winter. "If jealousy makes you feel better, please continue," I said without breaking stride.

Inside, my heart ached. *I just want to live a normal life. Why is even that impossible?*

By the time I reached my apartment, the tight control I'd maintained all day was crumbling. I locked the door behind me and finally let the mask slip. My hands shook as I threw my purse onto the couch.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice breaking. "Why can't anything just be simple?"

The memories crashed over me like waves—being driven from my family, misunderstood by classmates, slandered by the media. The pressure built until something snapped inside me.

With a cry of rage, I grabbed a vase from the coffee table and hurled it against the wall. It shattered into a thousand pieces, the sound echoing my fractured emotions.

"Three years!" I shouted to the empty room. "Three years of fighting to build a life, and for what?"

My wolf stirred more violently now, responding to my distress. The silver wound on my arm flared with sudden, intense pain, making my vision blur.

"Not again... not this feeling..." I gasped, clutching my arm.

I stumbled toward the bathroom where I kept my medication, but the pain intensified with each step. Just as my fingers brushed the cabinet door, darkness rushed in from the edges of my vision. The last thing I felt was the cool hardness of the floor against my cheek.

When consciousness returned, it came slowly. The familiar scent of pine and wilderness filled my senses before I even opened my eyes. When I did, I found Devon sitting in a chair beside my bed, watching me with those intense blue eyes.

I tried to sit up, instantly alert. "How did you get in here?"

---

Devon

I frowned as I approached Evelyn's apartment door, a small case containing specialized anti-silver medication in my hand. I'd meant to check on her after the courthouse ordeal, knowing how silver wounds could flare up under stress.

When I caught the scent of blood from outside her door, my entire body tensed. Using my spare key, I pushed the door open and froze at the sight before me.

Evelyn lay unconscious on the floor, surrounded by broken glass and small droplets of blood. Her silver wound had reopened, and her partially shifted claws had torn into her palm.

"Evelyn, hold on... I'm here," I murmured, carefully lifting her into my arms.

The sight of her pale face sent a stab of pain through my chest. 'Why do you always bear everything alone? Why won't you trust me?'

With gentle precision, I carried her to the bedroom and laid her on the bed. I applied the special wolf-specific medication to her wounds, watching her breathing and pulse with intense concentration.

I carefully wiped away the tear tracks on her face, my fingers hesitating above her forehead. My gaze fell on the suppressants lined up on her nightstand, and my jaw tightened.

"Do you know you're hurting yourself?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "A white wolf's nature shouldn't be suppressed like this..."

I settled into the chair beside her bed, determined to stay until she was stable. Hours passed as I watched over her, until finally, her breathing deepened and steadied.

When she finally opened her eyes, those remarkable silver-gray irises focused on me with immediate wariness.

"You fainted," I said simply as she tried to sit up. "I found you on the floor with your wound reopened and your wolf trying to break through."

Evelyn looked away, uncomfortable with my presence. "Thank you for your help, but I'm fine now."

I leaned forward, keeping my expression serious. "Your wound opened again, and your wolf and human sides are in conflict. That's dangerous, Evelyn."

She met my gaze, a hint of vulnerability breaking through her defenses. After a moment, she sighed. "I actually want to let my wolf nature out, to prove I'm not the cursed white wolf everyone thinks I am." Her voice softened. "But I don't want her released when I can't control her."

I studied her face, understanding dawning on me. Before I could respond, Evelyn pushed herself upright.

"Thank you for your help, but I can take care of myself now," she said, clearly dismissing me.

"Your condition is still dangerous. Let me—"

"Please leave, Mr. Hall," Evelyn cut me off firmly. "I don't need your pity."

I held her gaze, something deeper than concern burning in my chest. "It's not pity, Evelyn. It's concern... it's—"

My phone rang suddenly, interrupting whatever I'd been about to say. I pulled it out with obvious reluctance.

"Hall speaking," I answered, my eyes never leaving Evelyn's face.

"Mr. Hall, Dr. Anderson says the anti-silver serum test is ready. He needs you on site," Jason's voice came through clearly.

I frowned slightly. "Has the computer simulation engineer arrived? Is he confident it will work?"

"Yes, sir. An expert from the Moonlight Organization. He seems very confident."

I hesitated, looking at Evelyn. "Alright, I'll be there soon." Before hanging up, I added, "Jason, find a quiet healing place suitable for an ordinary wolf. The quieter, the better."

I stood reluctantly, torn between staying and my obligation. For a moment, I allowed myself to look at her—really look at her—hoping she might see something in my eyes that I couldn't yet put into words.

Then I turned and left, the weight of unspoken feelings heavy on my shoulders.