Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 59

Devon

When Evelyn left, I had Jason bring Ethan to me.

I closed the door of the oak-paneled study behind me, feeling the air grow thick with tension. My eyes shifted to a dangerous shade of gold as I locked my gaze onto Ethan's seemingly composed figure standing by the window.

"What's your real purpose in bringing Evelyn abroad?" I kept my voice deceptively calm, though I knew the Alpha energy radiating from me made the question sound like an accusation.

Ethan turned, his expression carefully neutral. "I believe I've been transparent. We're here to handle family business regarding Gray Enterprises' international assets."

"Cut the bullshit." I stepped closer, my shoulders tense with restraint. "I not only know you're working with Audrey White, but I also know she's your lover." I paused, watching his face carefully. "Interesting choice, considering she's Victoria's sister—Evelyn's aunt."

I watched as Ethan's eyes widened slightly, the amber flecks in his irises becoming more pronounced as his wolf stirred beneath the surface. His composure cracked for just a second before he smoothed his expression.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ethan said evenly, though his knuckles had turned white where he gripped the edge of the desk.

I moved with predatory grace, closing the distance between us until we were mere inches apart. I let my Alpha energy roll off me in waves, pressing against Ethan like a physical force.

"Listen carefully," I dropped my voice to a dangerous whisper. "If you touch one hair on Evelyn's head, I will personally show you what true pain feels like. You have no idea what I'm capable of when someone threatens what's mine."

The threat hung in the air between us, heavy and real. I could see a flicker of fear in Ethan's eyes before it was quickly masked with defiance.

When Ethan stormed out minutes later, I watched him go through the window, noting the direction he took. Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone and texted Jason.

"Follow him. Document any meeting with Audrey White. Send the photos to Jonathan."

---

Evelyn

I was sitting in the guest wing when Devon found me. The tension in his shoulders had eased slightly, but I could still sense the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior.

"Jason is following him," Devon said as he sat beside me on the couch. "He'll document any meeting between Ethan and Audrey and send the photos to Jonathan."

I nodded, trying to process everything. "You really think they're lovers?"

"I know they are." Devon pulled out his phone and showed me a photograph. "This is Jonathan's illegitimate son. Do you recognize him?"

The photo showed a boy around thirteen, with Jonathan's distinctive jawline but softer features that weren't from Victoria. My mind flashed back to a similar photograph I'd glimpsed in my grandfather's study years ago. When I'd asked about it, Jonathan had slapped me hard across the face and warned me never to mention it again.

"I've seen this before," I admitted, my voice steady despite the painful memory. "In Grandfather William's study. Jonathan made sure I understood it was never to be discussed."

Devon watched me carefully. "Does it bother you? Finding out about Jonathan's affair?"

I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "The only person in that house I care about is Grandfather William. I stopped having feelings for that couple a long time ago."

Devon nodded, his eyes softening as he took my hand. "You deserve better than what they gave you."

The warmth of his fingers wrapped around mine sent a flutter through my chest. I allowed myself a moment of comfort before reality intruded again.

That evening, my phone rang. Ethan's number flashed on the screen.

"Audrey wants to meet you," he said without preamble when I answered. "Tomorrow morning, 10 AM at Café Laurent."

I glanced at Devon, who could hear every word with his enhanced hearing. He nodded encouragingly.

"I'll be there," I replied.

After hanging up, Devon immediately voiced his concern. "You shouldn't go alone."

"I need to face her myself," I insisted.

"You deserve to reclaim what's yours, but I won't let you face them alone," Devon said, his eyes intense. "But I won't let you face them alone. Jason will be nearby."

"Let Aiden come with me. He knows my style better," I said.

---

Café Laurent was an elegant establishment with outdoor seating overlooking a picturesque plaza. I spotted Audrey immediately—the resemblance to my mother was striking, though Audrey wore her blonde hair shorter and her face carried a harder edge.

"Evelyn," she greeted me with cold politeness as I sat across from her. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Yet here I am," I replied, matching her tone.

She stirred her coffee slowly. "You should stay out of matters that don't concern you. You've been expelled for three years, for good reason. You have no right to involve yourself in Gray family decisions now."

"I'm still a Gray," I reminded her.

"A disgraced one," she countered with a thin smile. "I am your mother's sister. You should respect me and the position I hold."

"The only thing I'm interested in is reclaiming what belongs to me—my grandmother's assets that Jonathan has been funneling into your accounts for years."

Her smile vanished. "You have no proof of that."

"Don't I?" I raised an eyebrow.

"A white wolf freak who can't control her nature doesn't deserve anything from the Gray family," she hissed, her eyes flashing with malice.

I calmly pulled out my phone and showed her a photo of a teenage boy with Audrey's eyes. "Your son, Noah, is currently staying at a boarding school in Switzerland, isn't he? I'd hate for anything to happen to him."

Her face paled. "What did you do?"

"You have ten minutes to decide whether to cooperate," I said, my voice steady. "After that, I take action."

Just as she opened her mouth to curse me, her phone rang. Her face transformed from anger to panic as she listened to the caller.

"What do you mean he's missing?" she shrieked, standing up so abruptly her chair fell backward. "Find him! Now!"

She ended the call, her hands shaking as she stared at me with pure hatred. "Where is my son?"

"Safe. For now. Return my grandmother's assets, and he'll be back at school before dinner."

"You bitch," she spat. "You're no better than your father."

"The assets, Audrey."

"I don't care if Jonathan finds out about Noah," she said defiantly. "I've been with him just for the money. He means nothing to me."

I smiled coldly. "I never said anything about telling Jonathan."

Audrey's phone pinged with a notification. Her hands trembled as she checked it, her face draining of all color. "My accounts... they're frozen."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan enter the café, his face dark with fury when he spotted us. He stormed over to our table.

"You played us," he growled, looming over me threateningly.

"Like you played me all these years." I stood slowly, looking him straight in the eye.

Ethan's eyes flashed yellow as he lunged toward me, but before he could reach me, a figure stepped between us. Aiden, no longer hidden behind, stood protectively in front of me. The silver glint of a knife in his hand made Ethan freeze.

"Don't," Aiden warned quietly.

I gathered my things calmly, then paused beside Ethan. "You underestimated me, Ethan. That was your biggest mistake."