Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 56

Devon

I stood rigid in the hospital corridor, feeling Richard's piercing gaze move from me to Evelyn.

"Who is she?" Richard's voice was quiet but carried the weight of command that had bent the will of countless wolves over the decades. I knew he had sensed something—the mate bond growing stronger between Evelyn and me with each passing day was becoming impossible to hide.

I took a deep breath. There was no point in concealing it any longer. I would tell him exactly who Evelyn was to me, consequences be damned. But before I could speak, I felt her hand grip my arm with surprising strength.

Looking down, I was shocked to see hatred flash in her silver-gray eyes—not directed at me, but at Richard. Her body trembled slightly against mine, and I could hear her heart racing. Without thinking, I shifted my stance, positioning myself between Evelyn and Richard.

"Devon," Richard began again, his voice hardening. "I asked you—"

"Grandpa, you're here!" Lily's voice cut through the tension as she came down the corridor, seemingly oblivious to the strained atmosphere between us.

"This is Evelyn, one of the brightest students at Crescent Moon University. She's the one who saved Jack." She immediately launched into introductions.

I felt Richard stiffen. The word "student" seemed to hang in the air between us.

"You..." His face contorted with rage as he raised his wolf-headed cane and brought it down hard across my back. "You're involving yourself with a girl young enough to still be in university? Have you lost your mind?"

I didn't flinch, absorbing the blow without moving an inch. I'd endured far worse during territory disputes. Behind me, I felt Evelyn jerk in surprise.

"Father," I said quietly, "you don't understand—"

"I understand perfectly!" His face had gone alarmingly pale, his breathing becoming labored. "You're following in my footsteps after all, aren't you? Taking advantage of young—"

He suddenly swayed, his cane clattering to the floor as he clutched at his chest. His knees buckled, and I lunged forward, catching him before he hit the ground. The scent of illness and pain rolled off him in waves.

"Dad!" Olivia appeared at my side, her face tight with worry. Together, we half-carried, half-dragged Richard into his hospital room, laying him on the bed as a nurse rushed in.

"What happened?" the nurse demanded, checking his vitals.

"He got upset," I explained, stepping back to give her room. "His heart—"

"I need everyone out," she ordered, pressing the call button for the doctor.

Outside in the hallway, Lily wrung her hands anxiously. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble. Will he be okay?"

"It's not your fault," I assured her, though my mind was racing. I glanced around, suddenly realizing Evelyn wasn't with us. "Where's Evelyn?"

"Maybe she could help check on your dad? I'll go find her!" Lily brightened.

Before I could stop her, Lily was hurrying down the corridor. She returned moments later, pulling Evelyn by the hand.

"Evelyn's super good with medicine," Lily announced. "She could take a look at your father."

I saw the coldness in Evelyn's eyes immediately. "No," she said flatly.

Lily blinked in surprise. "But—"

"I said no." Evelyn's voice was emotionless as she pulled her hand from Lily's and turned away. "I'm leaving."

"Evelyn, wait!" Lily called after her, but Evelyn was already walking briskly toward the exit.

I exchanged a quick glance with Olivia. "Take care of Dad. I need to talk to her."

I caught up with Evelyn at a deserted corner of the hallway, gently catching her wrist. She spun around, eyes flashing with anger and something else—fear?

"What's going on?" I asked quietly. "Why do you look at Richard like you want to kill him?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Because I think he's the one who sealed my wolf. The reason I was exiled."

I stared at her, stunned. Then I slowly shook my head. "That can't be right. I asked Richard about this when I found out your wolf was sealed."

"And?" she challenged, her voice tight.

"He told me your seal was there from the beginning," I explained gently, wanting to ease the pain I saw in her eyes. "It was only discovered when you first tried to shift and couldn't fully manifest your wolf."

Evelyn's expression shifted from anger to confusion. "What?"

"You were exiled because your father, Jonathan, requested it. He provided evidence that you had shifted and injured a human." I moved my hand from her wrist to her hand, holding it firmly. "With human-wolf relations so unstable at the time, exile was deemed the safest option—for both you and the packs."

She seemed to sway slightly, her silver eyes wide with shock. I caught the scent of her confusion—like rain and pine mingling with her natural sweetness.

"If... if the seal was there from the beginning... then who put it there? And why would they do that to me?" Her voice had lost its edge, replaced by a vulnerable uncertainty that made my wolf growl protectively.

I squeezed her hand, wanting to pull her into my arms but sensing she needed space to process this revelation. "I don't know. But we'll find out together."

"Devon." Olivia's voice interrupted us. She stood several feet away, her expression grim. "Dad's awake. He's asking for you."

I nodded, then turned back to Evelyn. "Will you wait for me?"

She hesitated, then gave a small nod.

I walked into Richard's hospital room alone, closing the door behind me. He was propped up against pillows, looking frailer than I had ever seen him, but his eyes were sharp and alert.

"Everyone out," he ordered the nurse and doctor. When we were alone, he fixed me with a hard stare. "Do you know who that girl is?"

"Yes." I remained standing, arms crossed. "Evelyn Gray. The white wolf of the Gray family."

His face tightened. "And you still brought her here? Into my presence?"

"I felt the connection the moment I met her," I said firmly. "I know she's my mate, even with her wolf sealed."

"She's dangerous," he hissed, leaning forward. "A white wolf hasn't been seen in generations. They're unpredictable, powerful—"

"She's been living without her wolf for three years because of what her family did to her," I interrupted. "And I intend to help her find herself again. All of herself."

My father fell silent, studying my face. I met his gaze steadily, letting him see my resolve.

"You've made up your mind," he finally said.

"I have."

"The packs won't accept a wolfless Luna Queen," he warned. "You know our traditions."

"Then I'll help her break the seal," I replied evenly.

He sank back against his pillows, suddenly looking every one of his seventy years. "I need rest."

I nodded once, then turned to leave. At the door, I paused. "She's my choice, Father. And she will be the future of our family, whether you like it or not. Don't interfere."

As I stepped back into the corridor, I felt a strange mixture of relief and apprehension.

The truth about Evelyn's seal had only raised more questions, but at least now we had somewhere to start. Together, we would uncover the mysteries of her past—and perhaps, in doing so, secure our future.