Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 50

Evelyn

A few days later, summer break began at the school. With Devon away on business for the past three days, it seemed like the perfect time to handle some unfinished business in Portland.

My phone buzzed in my pocket as I arrived at my apartment complex in Portland. I parked my bike and checked the caller ID. Grandfather. A smile tugged at my lips as I answered.

"Hello, Grandfather."

"Evelyn." William's gruff voice carried a note of concern. "Marcus tells me you've gone to Portland alone. Why didn't you inform me of your travel plans?"

I sighed, fishing my apartment keys from my pocket. "I'm just here to pack up my things and handle my transfer from Portland University."

"You shouldn't be alone," he insisted.

"I'll be fine, Grandfather. I've lived here for three years without incident."

"Nevertheless, I've asked Ethan to assist you. He's in Portland on business anyway."

My grip tightened on the phone. "That's really not necessary—"

The line went dead before I could protest further. I groaned, shoving the phone back into my pocket.

As I entered my apartment, the familiar scent of home washed over me. It was small but functional, with minimalist furniture and walls lined with bookshelves. This had been my sanctuary for three years after being exiled from the pack. Now, it felt like a chapter that was closing.

I'd barely started sorting through my belongings when a sharp knock echoed through the apartment. Ethan was early. Perfect.

I opened the door to find my brother leaning against the doorframe, his tailored suit contrasting sharply with my casual jeans and t-shirt. His eyes, the same gray as mine but lacking the silvery quality, scanned the apartment with thinly veiled curiosity.

"So this is where you've been hiding," he remarked, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

"Not hiding. Living," I corrected, closing the door behind him. "What exactly did Grandfather ask you to do?"

Ethan shrugged, running a finger along one of my bookshelves. "Make sure you don't get into trouble, help with the heavy lifting if needed." His eyes landed on my computer setup. "Though I see you're still deep into the tech world."

I moved to stand between him and my computers. "It's my profession. Speaking of which, I need to discuss something with you."

"If it's about your proposal to acquire Moonlight Games, the board is still deliberating." His tone was dismissive.

"The gaming industry is the future, Ethan. Gray Enterprises needs to evolve."

He turned to face me fully, crossing his arms. "Our company has thrived for decades without venturing into video games, Evelyn. We focus on pharmaceuticals, real estate, and traditional investments. Things we understand."

"And that's exactly the problem," I countered. "That kind of thinking is what's holding us back. We can't keep using the old playbook when the game has changed. Jonathan's resistance to innovation is driving the company into the ground."

Ethan's expression hardened at the mention of our father. "How is he? I haven't spoken to him since the meeting."

I hesitated, unsure how much Ethan knew about Jonathan's financial misconduct. "He's been transferring family assets offshore. Did you know about that?"

Shock flickered across Ethan's face before he masked it with skepticism. "That can't be right. Father wouldn't do something like that."

"I have the proof, Ethan." I moved to my laptop and pulled up the financial records I'd compiled. "Look at these transactions. He's been systematically draining resources from the pack for years."

Ethan studied the screen, his expression growing increasingly troubled. "There must be some explanation. A mistake or..."

"It's no mistake. He's betrayed the pack, Ethan." I watched him carefully, gauging his reaction. "I need your help to fix this."

He straightened, adjusting his tie in what I recognized as a nervous gesture. "You're inexperienced in these matters, Evelyn. Let me handle it."

"No," I said firmly. "We do this together. I may be younger, but I understand money trails and digital forensics better than anyone in the family."

Ethan looked like he wanted to argue but instead gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. Send me what you have, and I'll review it. But don't take any action without consulting me first."

I didn't promise anything, which Ethan seemed to notice. He sighed, checking his watch. "I have a meeting across town. Will you be alright here alone?"

"I've been alone for three years," I reminded him. "I think I can manage a few hours."

After Ethan left, I spent the evening organizing my equipment for shipment to Seattle. I contacted Aiden, who'd been helping me set up my new lab space at Devon's building.

"How's the setup coming along?" I asked, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder as I labeled boxes.

"Almost ready," Aiden replied. "The security system is top-notch. Not even I could hack into it easily."

"High praise coming from you," I chuckled. "Any news on the test version of the game?"

"Just sent it to your email. Graphics are impressive, but the AI response time needs work."

I made a mental note to review it later. "I'll take a look tonight."

After ending the call, I noticed a text message from Devon:

How's Portland? Stay safe. I'll come find you when I'm done here.]

A smile tugged at my lips as I replied:

[Don't worry, no arguments with anyone here. Yet.]

His response came quickly: [Keep it that way. I'll be there as soon as I wrap things up. Miss you.]

Three simple words that shouldn't have made my heart race, but they did. I set the phone down without replying, not sure what to say.

The next morning, the moving company arrived to collect my equipment. After directing them on handling the delicate electronics, I headed to Portland University to finalize my transfer.

The dean's office was quiet when I arrived, the summer break having emptied most of the campus. Dean Mitchell looked up from his desk as I entered, recognition lighting his features.

"Ms. Gray, please sit down." He gestured to the chair across from him. "I received your transfer request to Crescent Moon University. May I ask why you're leaving us? Your academic performance has been exemplary."

"Family circumstances," I explained vaguely. "I need to be in Seattle."

He nodded slowly. "I've heard about some incidents there. Are you sure it's the right environment for your studies?"

I stiffened, wondering exactly what he'd heard. "Seattle is where I need to be right now."

"Very well." He signed the transfer documents with reluctance. "Portland University will miss your contributions to the computer science department."

I thanked him and left, feeling a strange mixture of relief and nostalgia. Three years of my life were officially ending, making way for whatever awaited me in Seattle.

Back at my apartment, I was on the phone with Ethan, discussing recovery strategies for the misappropriated funds.

"We need to act quickly but discreetly," I insisted. "If word gets out before we recover the assets, our corporate partners might panic and back out of deals."

"I understand the urgency," Ethan replied, "but—"

A knock at the door interrupted our conversation. "Someone's here. I'll call you back," I said, ending the call.

I opened the door without checking who it was. The moment the door swung open, my heart sank—a foolish mistake. If William knew I had been so careless, he would definitely scold me. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Devon standing there, his tall frame filling the doorway, his blue eyes intense as they locked with mine.

Before I could speak, he stepped forward, pushing me back into the apartment. He kicked the door shut behind him, turned the lock, and then his hands were cupping my face.

"I missed you," he growled, his voice low and rough with an emotion I couldn't quite name.