Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 43

Evelyn

My cheeks burned as Devon's question hung in the air between us. 'Do I just see him as Lily's uncle?' His face was inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. I pushed him away, needing space to think.

"I... I should shower," I mumbled, desperate for an escape.

I hurried to my bathroom, closing the door behind me with shaky hands. I leaned against it, trying to calm my racing heart. What was happening between us? The intensity in his eyes scared me—not because I was afraid of him, but because of how it made me feel.

---

When morning came, I woke to the smell of coffee and bacon. Devon had already made breakfast, dressed in the same clothes as yesterday but somehow looking just as put-together.

"Morning," he said, sliding a plate of eggs and bacon toward me. "You should eat something substantial. Family meetings can be draining."

"Just be careful," Devon continued. "If they give you any shit, don't do anything stupid."

"I can handle myself," I said, finishing my breakfast. "And I don't need you to drive me to school today."

Devon watched as I grabbed my leather jacket and keys to my Ducati. "That bike is—"

"Perfect," I cut him off. "Fast, reliable, and mine."

The rumble of my motorcycle as I tore through the streets of Seattle gave me the freedom I craved, yet I couldn't shake Devon's words from last night.

Professor droned on about encryption algorithms while I pretended to take notes. In reality, I was analyzing the Gray family data Devon had helped me understand last night. The shell companies my father had created formed a complex web, but I could see the pattern now.

When class ended, Lily bounced up to me, waving a fancy envelope.

"Eve! I've been looking everywhere for you!" She thrust the envelope into my hands. "It's my twenty-first birthday celebration invitation. You have to come!"

I stared at the embossed silver card. Twenty-first birthdays were significant in werewolf society—the age when control over transformation was considered complete.

"Thanks, Lily. I'll try to make it."

As we walked through the cafeteria, I caught snippets of conversation from Kate's table.

"...that abnormal white wolf..."

"...lost control and attacked someone..."

"...how can she even show her face here..."

Lily squeezed my arm. "Ignore them. They're just jealous because you're smarter and prettier."

I forced a smile, but the words stung more than I wanted to admit.

At lunch, Kate's friend Megan deliberately bumped into me as I carried my tray, causing me to drop it. The sharp edge of the fallen tray sliced across my palm.

"Oops," Megan said with fake concern. "You should be more careful."

Pain shot through my hand, but I kept my face neutral. "You're right. I should be more careful about the company I keep."

I pushed back, causing Megan to stumble and fall on her butt in front of everyone. The cafeteria erupted in laughter.

Kate rushed over, helping Megan up while throwing me a venomous look. "I'm so sorry about my sister," she said loudly. "She's always been... unstable."

I walked away, heading to the medical office to bandage my hand. The cut wasn't deep, but it throbbed with each heartbeat.

When I got home that evening, Devon was waiting outside my door with a small suitcase. My heart did a stupid little flip before I forced it to behave.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, unlocking my door.

"I have a business trip coming up, so I needed to discuss the Gray Company situation with you before I leave." He followed me inside, set down his suitcase, and caught my hand from behind. "You're hurt."

"It's nothing."

"Your hand. I can smell the blood."

I hid my bandaged palm. "Nothing serious, just sliced it on a can lid."

"I know the whole Gray thing has you buried, but try to get some rest." Devon sank into the couch.

"Jason found some dirt on the Gray shareholders you need to see." He laid out several documents on my coffee table, pointing to the list of nine major shareholders. "Six of them support your father. Three elder shareholders stand with your grandfather."

"And my grandfather gave me thirty percent," I murmured, seeing the bigger picture.

Devon nodded. "Which means you have the power to tip the scales." He hesitated. "I'm having some of my pack members keep an eye on you Friday. I don't trust your family not to try something."

"I don't need bodyguards."

"Humor me," he said, his voice softening. "Please."

After dinner, Devon worked on his laptop while I retreated to my bedroom. Once alone, I activated my secure system and logged in as Aurora. The shareholders' financial records were surprisingly easy to hack. Each had their weaknesses—gambling debts, mistresses, questionable investments.

I messaged Aiden: [Need everything you can find on these people. Especially silver investments and transactions.]

His reply came quickly: [On it. Be careful, A. These are dangerous wolves.]

I spent hours combing through data, building profiles on each shareholder. By the time I finished, it was past midnight, and my eyes burned from staring at the screen.

---

Friday morning arrived too quickly. I dressed carefully in a charcoal gray suit that complemented my silver eyes. Marcus, my grandfather's beta, picked me up in a sleek black car.

"You look well, Miss Gray," he said as we drove toward the Gray corporate headquarters.

"Thank you, Marcus." I gazed out the window, steeling myself for what was to come.

As we entered the building, employees stopped and stared. Whispers followed me through the lobby.

"That's her..."

"The exiled white wolf..."

"William's favorite..."

We took the elevator to the top floor. Before entering the conference room, my grandfather greeted me, his eyes crinkling with affection.

"Evelyn, my dear. Let me introduce you to some people." He led me to three elderly men. "These are Thompson, Morrison, and Clark. Old friends and loyal shareholders. They support our cause."

The men nodded respectfully, their eyes appraising me with curiosity rather than the usual disgust my wolf form inspired.

Other shareholders filed in, their gazes cold when they looked at me. Some subtly sniffed the air, trying to determine if my wolf was truly gone, as rumors suggested.

Then my father entered alone. His face hardened when he saw me standing beside my grandfather.

William stood, his voice commanding the room's attention. "Before we begin formal proceedings, I want to announce my decision. Evelyn will be the heir to Gray Enterprises."

The room erupted. My father's face twisted with fury as he stepped forward.

"Father, this is outrageous! You would give our company to a cursed white wolf?" He pointed at me, eyes blazing. "As long as I live, I will never let her take what's rightfully mine!"

The challenge hung in the air, and I felt all eyes on me, waiting for my response.