Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 36

Evelyn

My whole body went on high alert. Something about the way she was coming at me felt off—like she had an agenda. "I don't see how that's any of your business," I said, keeping my voice steady.

Emilia stepped closer, invading my personal space. "I'm just curious. Never thought the Moonheal pack would sink this low. You trying to claw your way back up by hooking up with Dev?"

I stared at her. "What the hell?"

"Oh, come on," she said, all sugar-sweet voice but ice-cold eyes. "Don't act like you don't know what you're doing. I see how he looks at you. But here's the thing—I'm the only one who's actually right for Dev. We're from the same world, same bloodlines. What could someone like you possibly give him? Especially with your...situation?"

Each word hit like a slap. I felt my hands ball up into fists, nails digging into my palms just to keep it together.

She just kept staring at me, waiting for me to crack or something. I took a deep breath, pushing down all the crap she was stirring up. "My bloodline or whatever's wrong with me doesn't decide what I'm worth," I said quietly, but I made sure my voice didn't shake. "That's on me."

Before she could say anything else, Devon walked in with this tall guy who looked like Emilia. Devon took one look at us and his face went dark—he could obviously tell something was up.

"Everything okay here?" he asked, looking back and forth between me and Emilia.

"Just getting acquainted," Emilia said, switching back to her fake-sweet smile.

"This is Alex, Emilia's brother. Alex, this is Evelyn Gray," Devon said.

I nodded at Alex, but I caught how Emilia’s smile twitched. Devon had introduced me simply by my name, nothing more, and perhaps Emilia saw that as a victory.

"Hey Evelyn, you ever play 'Forest Guardians'?" Devon asked, clearly noticing the awkwardness between me and Emilia. "It's co-op. Think you'd like it."

Thank God for the save. "No, never tried it."

We moved over to another gaming setup beside Lily's, and Devon handed me a controller. On the screen, we both picked these white wolf characters and had to work together to protect this virtual forest from hunters and poachers. It was weird—we'd never played together before, but we just clicked. My wolf would distract the bad guys while his took them out, or his would clear a path while mine snuck through tight spots.

"You're pretty good at this," Devon said quietly after we nailed this really hard level. He looked at me, and for a second, everything else just disappeared. "You like this, don't you? Running through the forest, even if it's fake."

I couldn't lie about it. I nodded.

"Next full moon," he said, so quiet only I could hear, "I could take you to a real forest. Let you actually run."

My whole body shivered—not scared, but wanting it so bad it hurt. My wolf, locked up for so long, was practically howling for exactly what he was talking about.

When the night started winding down, Devon said it was time to go. He threw his leather jacket over my shoulders as we walked out—casual, but it felt like more than that. I saw Emilia watching us, her eyes going narrow when she saw me wearing Devon's jacket, his scent all over me now.

"Jack's gonna take Lily back to Hall territory," Devon told me as we got in his car. "I'll drive you home."

The ride was quiet. Even though we were sitting in the back together, we kept our distance. I stared out the window, my brain going crazy trying to process everything—Emilia's bitchy warnings, Devon's offer, and whatever the hell was happening when we played that game together.

When we got to Moon Bay Apartments, Devon insisted on walking me up even though I told him he didn't have to. In the elevator, the silence got so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Thanks for the ride," I said as the doors opened.

He followed to my door. The dim hallway felt intimate, shadows playing tricks. "Evelyn," he started, then paused, eyes intense.

I turned, heart pounding like a drum in my chest. 'Why does he make me ache like this? Like my body's waking up, hungry for more.' 

He cupped my face, palms hot against my skin, thumbs stroking my lips with possessive tenderness. His scent—leather, woods, raw masculinity—flooded me, making my core clench with sudden heat.

He leaned in, lips claiming mine in a kiss that started soft but ignited fast—his mouth warm, insistent, tongue teasing the seam of my lips until I parted for him. A low growl rumbled from his throat as our tongues danced, slick and urgent, sending jolts of pleasure straight to my thighs.

I pressed closer, feeling his hard body against mine, the friction of his chest grazing my breasts, nipples tightening under my shirt. God, this heat... it's unraveling me, my wolf purring with need, wetness pooling between my legs as his hands slide down, gripping my hips, pulling me flush against his growing arousal. The kiss deepened, breaths mingling in hot gasps, his teeth nipping my lower lip just enough to sting sweetly, awakening a fire I'd buried deep.

His control slipped—fingers trailing lower, slipping under my skirt's hem, brushing the edge of my panties with a bold intent that made my breath hitch. He nudged them aside, one finger dipping toward my slick folds, the intimate touch sending a shockwave of electric heat through me. 

Oh God, no one's ever... this is too much, too soon—I'm not ready, my body trembling not just from want but fear, the unknown rushing in like a cold wave. I froze, a soft whimper escaping, my hands pushing lightly against his chest in instinctive panic—I've never let anyone this close, never felt this vulnerable exposure.

Devon stilled instantly, eyes widening as he registered my fear, his wolf's hunger flickering in his gaze before he reined it back. He pulled his hand away gently, breath ragged, jaw clenched like he was fighting an internal storm.

"Evelyn... I'm sorry," he murmured, voice strained with restraint. "I almost lost it. You're not ready—I won't push." His eyes darkened further, a mix of regret and barely contained desire, as if leaving was the only way to keep from devouring me whole.

He stepped back, the space between us suddenly vast, then turned for the elevator without another word, his footsteps echoing his forced retreat.

That night, sleep evaded me. The kiss—and that near-miss—replayed, my wolf pacing wildly between craving and caution. Whatever this was, it stirred buried hungers—and I wasn't sure if I was terrified or desperate for more.