Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 47

Evelyn

Emilia's face flushed with anger and humiliation as Devon's words hung in the air.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" Emilia's voice trembled with emotion. "My family has been allies with yours for generations, Devon. And you choose to defend this... this outcast?"

Devon's eyes remained cold, his voice steady. "I won't repeat myself, Emilia. Your behavior is unacceptable."

Tears welled in Emilia's eyes, whether from genuine hurt or calculated manipulation, I couldn't tell. Her brother Alex appeared at her side, placing a protective arm around her shoulders.

"I apologize for my sister's behavior," Alex said, his tone diplomatic but firm. "Devon, I'll take Emilia home now. Perhaps we can discuss business another time."

Devon gave a curt nod, his expression unyielding. As Alex led his sister away, Emilia shot me one last venomous glare over her shoulder, her eyes promising this wasn't over.

Lily broke the awkward silence, clapping her hands together. "Okay, everyone! Time for dessert! We have the most amazing cake and treats waiting!"

The guests, eager to escape the tension, followed Lily's lead toward the dessert table. She looped her arm through mine, pulling me along.

"Don't let her ruin my birthday," she whispered. "Besides, you need to try the chocolate truffles. They're divine."

I allowed Lily to guide me, grateful for her intervention. The dessert table was extravagantly decorated with an array of sweets that would satisfy any wolf's heightened senses. As I admired the display, a woman with sleek black hair approached us, her smile too practiced to be genuine.

"Lily, darling! Happy birthday!" The woman leaned in to air-kiss Lily's cheeks. Her eyes flicked to me with poorly disguised curiosity. "And who might this be?"

Before I could introduce myself, Lily smoothly stepped between us. "Jennifer, thank you for coming! Have you tried the champagne fountain yet? It's absolutely fabulous."

Jennifer's smile tightened. "Not yet, but I will. I was hoping to chat with your friend here—"

"Oh, you simply must try it now before it runs out!" Lily insisted, practically pushing the woman toward the other side of the room.

When Lily returned, she lowered her voice. "That woman is very close with Kate. She's probably here to gather information. Be careful."

I nodded, taking a small plate and selecting a few desserts. "I haven't seen your parents or any family members. Aren't they celebrating with you?"

Lily sighed, popping a chocolate-covered strawberry into her mouth. "Too many people want to celebrate my birthday, so I have two parties. One with family, one with friends." She rolled her eyes. "Though my parents always invite random high-blood werewolf girls I don't even know. They want me to make more 'appropriate' friends."

I paused, fork halfway to my mouth. "Two birthday parties? I've never heard of that before."

Lily grinned, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Everyone wants something from our family. At least at this party, I got to invite people I actually like."

Looking at Lily's carefree smile, I realized she had grown up loved and cherished, despite the complications of being human in a werewolf family. Something I had never experienced.

The lights dimmed, and everyone gathered around Lily for the birthday wish. They formed a circle, dancing and singing the birthday song while Lily stood in the center like a princess, her face glowing with happiness as she closed her eyes to make her wish.

I hung back, watching from a distance. The scene stirred painful memories I'd tried to bury. On my eighteenth birthday, instead of celebration, I'd faced rejection and exile. While Lily was surrounded by people who adored her, I had spent my birthday alone, cast out by my family, my belongings stuffed into a single backpack. Since then, I hadn't celebrated my birthday at all.

Tears pricked at my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away. This wasn't the time or place to dwell on past hurts. I forced a smile, clapping along with everyone else as Lily blew out her candles.

A warm presence appeared beside me, and I didn't need to look to know it was Devon. His familiar scent enveloped me, bringing an unexpected comfort.

"You're standing too far away," he said softly. His thumb gently brushed away a tear I hadn't realized had escaped. "Evelyn, you'll have this kind of happiness too. I promise."

The sincerity in his eyes made my chest tighten. Before I could respond, the lights came back on, and everyone moved toward the cake table for the cutting ceremony.

Devon stayed close as we watched Lily slice into the elaborate three-tiered cake, his hand occasionally brushing against mine. Each accidental touch sent a current through my body, making it hard to focus on anything else.

After the cake was distributed, Devon leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Do you want to get out of here? I have something to show you."

Curiosity piqued, I nodded. Devon excused us to Lily, who was busy entertaining her guests, and led me to his car. We drove for nearly an hour, leaving Seattle behind for the dense forests that surrounded the city.

"Where are we going?" I finally asked as he turned onto a narrow road that wound up a mountainside.

"Patience," he replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We're almost there."

The road ended at a small clearing with a spectacular overlook of the forest and distant city lights. Devon parked and came around to open my door, offering his hand. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers.

"This is Wolf's Peak Lookout," Devon explained, leading me to a wooden platform that extended over the cliff edge. "It's one of my favorite places."

The view was breathtaking—Seattle's lights twinkled in the distance, while the vast forest stretched below us, bathed in moonlight.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

Devon checked his watch. "Look up."

As if on cue, the night sky exploded with color. Fireworks burst overhead, their brilliant hues reflecting off the lake below. But these weren't ordinary fireworks—they formed intricate patterns of wolves running, howling at the moon, and dancing through forests of light.

"How did you—" I began, awestruck.

"I had them designed specially," Devon said, his eyes reflecting the colorful bursts above. "They're just for you, Evelyn. No one else."

The gesture was so unexpected, so thoughtful that it left me speechless. As we stood side by side watching the display, Devon's hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. For once, I didn't pull away.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, breaking the moment. I reluctantly checked it to see Lily's name on the screen.

"I should take this," I said apologetically.

Devon nodded, stepping back to give me privacy.

"Lily?" I answered.

"My uncle stole you away to see the fireworks, didn't he?" Lily's accusatory voice came through the speaker. "I'm the birthday girl! That was supposed to be my surprise!"

I couldn't help but laugh at her mock outrage. "I'm sorry, Lily. It was a last-minute decision."

"Well, to make up for wounding my delicate birthday feelings, you owe me a special late-night snack. I won't take no for an answer."

"Alright," I conceded. "I know a place, actually. A secret spot from when I was younger."

"Perfect! Text me the address. Jack and I will meet you there."

After ending the call, I turned to Devon, who was leaning against the railing, watching me with those intense blue eyes.

"Lily demands compensation for you kidnapping her birthday guest," I explained. "I suggested a place I used to go... a long time ago. Would you like to come?"

Devon's lips curved into a smile. "Lead the way."

As we drove back toward the city, I directed Devon to a small, unremarkable building in a quiet neighborhood. The windows were dark, and there was no sign indicating it was a business.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Devon asked, looking skeptical.

"Trust me," I said with a small smile.