Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 58

Evelyn

The next day, I adjusted the black baseball cap on my head and slid on oversized sunglasses, completing my incognito look. The dark athletic wear I'd chosen wasn't exactly inconspicuous, but it covered enough of me that I hoped no one would recognize me.

Ethan's sleek black car pulled up to the curb outside my apartments. I took a deep breath, shouldered my backpack, and stepped outside. The morning air was crisp with the promise of rain later.

"You look like you're about to rob a bank," Ethan commented as I slid into the passenger seat.

"That's the point," I muttered, adjusting my sunglasses. "Any problems getting the tickets?"

Ethan pulled away from the curb, merging smoothly into traffic. "Everything's set. Dad is busy with the Northwest Werewolf Council to get his territory restriction lifted."

I turned to look at him. "And how's that going?"

"Slowly." Ethan's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "You know how the Council works—everything takes time."

Traffic thinned as we headed toward the airport. I watched the city blur past the window, contemplating my next words carefully.

"What was he like?" I asked finally. "Jonathan, I mean. Growing up, what kind of father was he to you?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Why are you asking me this now?"

"Just curious." I kept my voice light.

He was quiet for so long, I thought he wouldn't answer. "He was... quite good to me."

"As your real father?" I watched his face carefully, already knowing the answer.

"I found out I was adopted when I was twelve," he admitted, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "But no, I never knew who my biological father was."

"When I was digging into Gray Enterprises, I uncovered some buried secrets, including the truth about your background," I said quietly. "Your dad, Julian Gray, left you twenty percent of Gray Enterprises. And Jonathan adopted you to secure your shares."

Ethan's face hardened. "I won't let him take what belongs to the Gray bloodline, Evelyn," he said, his eyes briefly flashing with wolf-like intensity. "I won't."

We rode in silence until we reached the airport. Aiden was waiting at the entrance, dressed in an outfit nearly identical to mine—dark hoodie, sunglasses, cap pulled low.

"Subtle," I muttered as we approached him. "We might as well hold up a sign saying 'We're trying to hide.'"

Aiden grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. He leaned in close. "We're being watched," he whispered. "Three o'clock. Don't look now."

I resisted the urge to turn my head. "How many?"

"At least two that I've spotted. They've been tracking us since you left your apartment."

Great. Just what we needed. "Let's get through security."

The departure lounge was crowded, but we found seats near the back where we could watch the entrance. I pulled out my phone, pretending to scroll through messages while scanning the area.

"Evelyn?"

My head snapped up at the familiar voice. Devon stood there, Jason a few steps behind him. My heart did a ridiculous little flip in my chest.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out.

Devon's eyes flickered between me and Ethan. "Stop looking so shocked, Evelyn. I go wherever you go." The look he gave me said he'd explain later.

"What a coincidence," Ethan said dryly.

Devon ignored him, turning to me. "I've upgraded our tickets. First class is completely booked—by me. We'll have privacy."

I should have been irritated by his high-handedness, but all I felt was relief and something warmer. He'd deliberately changed his plans to protect me.

The ten-hour flight passed in a blur of quiet conversation and shared meals. Devon and I sat together, with Jason across the aisle. Ethan and Aiden were seated several rows behind us.

"Who's that in the spy outfit?" Devon asked quietly, nodding toward where Aiden sat.

"It's Aiden, my trusted colleague. You may see him in Lydia's restaurant," I said vaguely. "He works for Gray Enterprises now."

Devon raised an eyebrow. "Is he qualified?"

"More than you know," I murmured, thinking of Aiden's hacking skills that rivaled even mine.

After landing, we collected our luggage and headed outside. Devon guided me toward a waiting SUV while Jason led Ethan and Aiden to a second vehicle.

"We'll be staying at the Swift family territory," Devon explained as we drove. "Philip insisted, after what you did for Jack."

I nodded, still feeling the fatigue of the long flight. "How is Jack doing?"

"Much better, thanks to you." Devon's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "Philip's family has the most secure compound in the area. You'll be safe there."

I didn't miss his emphasis on 'safe.' "You stayed because you were worried Ethan might do something to me, didn't you?"

Devon nodded. "You go get settled in your rooms with Aiden. I need to speak with Philip's security, I won't be long."

The Swift estate was impressive—a sprawling compound surrounded by dense forest and high walls. A staff member showed us to our rooms, and I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

A soft knock on my door revealed Aiden, his expression grim.

"What is it?" I asked, instantly alert.

"Our location's been compromised," he said quietly. "Multiple teams converging."

I swore under my breath and pulled out my laptop. "Lock the door."

My fingers flew over the keyboard, connecting to the Moonlight network. I sent a secure message to a contact codenamed "North Star."

[Aurora requesting current positions of hunter teams in Europe.]

The response came quickly: [Four teams moving toward your location. ETA six hours.]

I nodded to myself. "They found us faster than expected."

"What do we do?" Aiden asked.

I cracked my knuckles and began typing furiously, accessing the hunter organization's internal network. "We redirect them," I said, planting false information about our whereabouts. "And strengthen the digital defenses around the Swift territory."

For the next hour, I worked methodically, setting up false trails and security measures. Finally, I leaned back with a satisfied smile.

"Done. They're heading to Berlin now, chasing ghosts."

Aiden shook his head in admiration. "No wonder they call you Aurora."

I closed my laptop. "Let's keep it that way. Devon doesn't need to know about this part of my life. Not yet."

But as I said it, I wondered how long I could keep these worlds separate—and what would happen when they inevitably collided.