Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 33

Evelyn

That night at Moon Valley still haunted me. After discovering the powerful seal blocking my wolf, I'd spent hours in excruciating pain, caught between forms, unable to complete the transformation.

Devon had stayed by my side, protecting me with all his strength until dawn. "We'll find who did this," he'd promised before leaving me at my door. "And they'll pay.''

Now, three days later, I lay on my apartment floor, staring up at the ceiling, my mind still spinning from what I’d uncovered at Moon Valley. Someone with enough power to cast an ancient seal had locked away my wolf. But why? Was it simply because I’m a white wolf?

Dragging myself up from the floor, I padded to the kitchen and made coffee. I'd taken a week off from the university, needing time to process this revelation.

"Who did this to me?" I whispered to the empty apartment, my voice sounding hollow.

The question had consumed me for days. I'd spent hours researching ancient sealing rituals in obscure werewolf texts I'd secretly downloaded from the Moonlight Organization's archives. The ritual required tremendous power—only the oldest Alpha bloodlines would have the strength to perform such magic.

My doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts. I tensed, sniffing the air cautiously. The scent was familiar—Marcus, my grandfather's beta. I opened the door, maintaining a neutral expression.

"Miss Grey," Marcus bowed slightly, his silver-streaked hair catching the light. "Your grandfather asked me to deliver this personally."

He handed me a heavy cream envelope with gold trim and the Grey family wolf emblem embossed on the front. I took it without comment, feeling the weight of the paper between my fingers.

"Thank you, Marcus," I said finally, studying his face for any sign of knowledge about my sealed wolf. His expression remained professionally blank.

After he left, I opened the envelope. Inside was an invitation to a homecoming celebration for William at the Bayview Hotel. My fingers traced the raised wolf emblem, and something clicked in my mind—this gathering would bring together all the powerful wolves who might know something about my sealed wolf. Including whoever had done this to me.

The realization hit me with such force that I nearly dropped the invitation. This wasn't just a family event—it was my opportunity to find answers.

Two days later, I pulled up to Bayview Hotel on my Ducati Monster, the engine's growl matching my mood. I could smell the wolves from the parking lot—dozens of them, their scents mingling with expensive cologne and perfume. I removed my helmet, feeling my sealed wolf stir faintly, agitated by the sheer number of other wolves nearby.

I straightened my black dress and leather jacket, a combination that balanced elegance with the edge I needed tonight. Through the glass doors, I could see wolves in their finest attire, mingling and positioning themselves around my grandfather, who sat regally at the head table, his expression noticeably displeased.

For a moment, I hesitated. Three years ago, these people had turned their backs on me. But the memory of my wolf fighting against her magical prison strengthened my resolve. I deserved answers. I deserved justice.

Pushing open the doors to the ballroom, I felt every conversation stop mid-sentence. The sudden silence was deafening as dozens of werewolves turned to stare at me. I scanned the room, noting my mother Victoria's barely concealed shock, Kate's immediate hostility, and most tellingly, the flash of recognition in the eyes of certain elders who quickly looked away.

My grandfather's face transformed from irritation to joy, a stark contrast to everyone else's reaction. The wolves around me were subtly sniffing, trying to detect my wolf nature. Let them try. They wouldn't find much—not with the seal in place.

Marcus approached me, relief evident in his eyes. "Miss Grey, you've arrived. The master has been waiting."

I nodded politely. "Sorry for the delay. Traffic was terrible," I lied smoothly, watching reactions around the room. "I wouldn't miss Grandfather's birthday."

Walking through the crowd felt like moving through molasses. Wolves parted reluctantly, some glaring, others whispering behind manicured hands. I kept my chin high, my eyes forward, refusing to show weakness.

When I reached my grandfather, his golden wolf eyes gleamed with power. Even at eighty, William remained a formidable Alpha. He took my hands in his, the skin paper-thin, but his grip strong.

"Evelyn," he said softly, his voice carrying enough to be heard by nearby wolves. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

I gave his hands a gentle squeeze. "Of course I came, Grandfather. I wouldn't miss it."

Taking my place beside him, I observed the room carefully. Several elders were watching me with thinly veiled apprehension.

I then vaguely overheard Kate and a woman whispering in the corner.

"Look at the white wolf princess, coming back after disgracing the family," the woman sneered. “She has no shame."

I noticed Kate tugging the woman's arm and leaning in close. "Emma, you know she's obviously here to stake her claim on the territory and the Alpha position. Grandfather always favored her."

After saying that, she gave me a knowing smile—clearly aware I could hear every word.

When gift-giving began, Kate presented Grandfather with an amethyst-studded silver chain. "From the sacred Northern wolf territory," she announced, glancing meaningfully at me. "Perfect for an elder of your stature."

I quietly poured Grandfather some hot tea, ignoring her barb. Three years ago, her words might have hurt me. Now they slid off like water.

I was about to sip my own drink when Emma stepped directly in front of me, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear: "A disgraced Wolfless has no place at an Alpha family table. You should be eating with the humans you love so much."

The room fell silent. Three years ago, I would have shrunk away, ashamed and hurt. But I wasn't that girl anymore.

I rose slowly, my movement deliberate, and slapped her hard across the face. The sound cracked through the silence like lightning.

"And who are you to question my place here?" My voice was ice-cold, carrying easily through the stunned ballroom.

Emma staggered back, hand to her reddening cheek, shock written across her face.

"Let me guess," I continued, my gaze sweeping the room, lingering on those who seemed most disturbed by my defiance. "None of you expected me to fight back. Not the weak, broken wolf you cast out."

No one said a word, but the tension hung so thick you could cut it with a knife. Pathetic cowards, all of them—preying on the weak. That’s when I realized: the only way to make them afraid was to get damn strong.

I wasn’t broken anymore. And whoever tried to break me? I was going to find them. No matter what it took.