Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 46

Evelyn

I woke up disoriented, sunlight streaming through unfamiliar curtains. For a moment, panic seized me until I recognized Devon's scent embedded in the sheets around me.

'Shit. I'm in Devon's bedroom.'

Memories of last night flooded back. I'd been treating his wounds, and must have fallen asleep at some point.

The digital clock on the nightstand showed 11:24 AM.

"Crap!" I jumped out of bed. Lily's birthday celebration was at noon, and I was nowhere near ready.

I rushed out of the bedroom to find Devon sitting casually on the couch, dressed in dark jeans and a navy button-down that highlighted his broad shoulders. He was scrolling through something on his tablet, looking completely recovered—not at all like the wounded wolf who'd collapsed on my sofa last night.

"Good morning, Evelyn," he said without looking up, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Or should I say good afternoon?"

My cheeks burned. "I need to go. Lily's birthday—"

"Is in thirty minutes, I know." Now he looked up, his blue eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Don't worry. We have time."

"We?" I crossed my arms defensively.

"I'm Lily's uncle. Did you think I wouldn't be there?" One corner of his mouth lifted in that half-smile that always did strange things to my pulse. "Besides, I thought you might need these."

Devon gestured toward several garment bags hanging by the door—bags I hadn't noticed in my panic.

"What are those?"

"Options," he said simply. "I had Olivia send over some dresses that might fit you. I figured you wouldn't have time to go home and change."

I stared at him, caught between gratitude and annoyance at his presumption. "I don't usually wear dresses."

"I know." His eyes held mine. "But you don't have to wear jeans all the time either."

Grudgingly, I unzipped the first bag, revealing a sleek black dress. The second contained a deep green cocktail dress, and the third a silver-blue number that almost matched my eyes.

"Take your time," Devon said, returning to his tablet.

Twenty minutes later, I emerged from the bathroom in the silver-blue dress, feeling uncomfortably exposed. The fabric clung to curves I usually hid under layers of denim and leather.

Devon looked up and froze, his tablet forgotten in his hands. Something flashed in his eyes—something hungry and appreciative that made my wolf stir beneath my skin.

"I don't know about this," I mumbled, tugging at the hem. "I'm not used to wearing things like this."

Devon set his tablet aside and stood, walking slowly toward me. "You look beautiful, Evelyn." His voice had dropped an octave. "But if you're uncomfortable, you can choose another."

"It's not that," I admitted. "I just... people will stare."

"People always stare at remarkable things." He reached out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind my ear. "And you are truly breathtaking."

The drive to the hotel was mercifully quick. Devon's sleek SUV slid through Seattle traffic with the same confident efficiency with which he seemed to approach everything.

---

As we pulled up to the Silver Pine Hotel, I felt my anxiety rising. "There will be a lot of people here, won't there?"

Devon parked and turned to me, his expression softening. "Yes. But you'll be fine." He reached over and squeezed my hand. "It's all Lily's friends."

The hotel's grand ballroom had been transformed into a garden wonderland, with flowers and twinkling lights everywhere. Lily spotted us immediately, rushing over in a flurry of pink tulle and excitement.

"Evie!" She hugged me tightly, then pulled back to examine my dress. "Holy crap, you look amazing! I've never seen you wear anything like this!"

I shifted uncomfortably. "It's just for today."

"Well, you should dress like this more often," Lily insisted. "You're gorgeous! Isn't she, Devon?"

Devon's eyes never left my face. "Breathtaking."

Before I could respond to that loaded comment, a familiar scent of mountain air and wild roses approached. Emilia appeared, her hand immediately finding its way to Devon's arm.

"Devon, darling, I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it." Her voice dripped with honeyed familiarity, but her eyes were cold when they landed on me. "And... Evelyn, was it? How nice to see you again."

Devon gently but firmly removed her hand from his arm. "Emilia. I didn't realize you were invited."

"Lily and I have become quite close," she said smoothly. "She's been so interested in my jewelry collection."

Devon's expression remained neutral, but I could feel his irritation like a physical thing between us. "How nice," he said flatly.

The gift exchange began shortly after, with Devon presenting his envelope to Lily with genuine warmth. "For your dreams, little wolf," he said softly as he hugged her.

Watching them, I felt a strange mixture of happiness and loss. The easy affection between them reminded me of what I'd never had with my own family, except perhaps with my grandfather.

When my turn came, I handed Lily the small package containing the lily-shaped pendant. Her eyes widened as she opened it.

"Evie, it's beautiful!" She threw her arms around me. "It looks exactly like the drawing I did in art class last semester!"

"I remembered you showing it to me," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm.

"How thoughtful," Emilia's voice cut through the moment, her tone making the compliment sound like anything but. "It must have been quite expensive for someone in your... situation." She looked pointedly at me. "A wolfless outcast can't possibly afford genuine sapphires and diamonds."

The room grew quiet. Lily's smile faltered.

"Actually, I bought it myself," I said evenly.

"Really?" Emilia's perfect eyebrow arched. "And where does a college student with no pack support get that kind of money? This is a limited edition piece. Only twenty were ever made."

Her implication hung in the air—that I must have stolen it, or worse.

"Emilia," Lily began angrily, but Emilia continued as if she hadn't heard.

"Perhaps it's related to whatever you were doing three years ago, when you lost control and attacked that human?" She smiled sweetly. "There are so many rumors about how you make your money now. Some say hacking, others suggest... less savory means."

I felt cold all over, but kept my expression neutral. "I earned every penny."

"I'm sure you did," Emilia purred. "The question is how—"

"Enough." Devon's voice cut through the tension like a blade. His eyes flashed dangerously, a hint of gold breaking through the blue. "Emilia, I believe it's time for you to leave."

Emilia opened her mouth to object, but something in Devon's expression made her reconsider. With a tight smile, she turned and walked away, her posture rigid with anger.

The damage, however, was already done. I could feel the curious stares and whispers all around us.

Old wounds, I realized, never really heal. They just wait for someone to pour salt in them again.