Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 80

Evelyn

My heart pounded against my ribs as I raced through the hospital corridors. The sterile smell of antiseptic burned my nostrils.

Marcus stood outside the operating room, his normally stoic face twisted with worry. His eyes flashed with the amber glow typical of distressed werewolves.

"Miss Evelyn," he said, his voice breaking. "The old man isn't doing well. His wolf nature is fading. His heart can't take it anymore."

My stomach dropped. For a werewolf, especially one as old and powerful as my grandfather, losing connection with their wolf side often preceded death. I felt my palm tingle with the beginning of a white glow—my wolf responding to my distress.

"Marcus, what happened?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "How did he end up here?"

Marcus looked away, his eyes reddened with unshed tears. "It was... it was your father."

Anger flared inside me. Of course it was Jonathan. That man had been a constant source of pain for my grandfather and me.

"Ms. Gray," a deep voice called from behind.

I turned to find Jason, Devon's beta, walking toward me with purposeful strides.

"Mr. Hall sent me to ensure your safety," he said formally. "He's arranged for the best doctors in this hospital to treat your grandfather."

I should have been touched by Devon's thoughtfulness, but all I could focus on was getting to my grandfather.

"I need to see him," I said, moving toward the operating room doors.

"They're preparing him for bypass surgery," Marcus explained. "Heart attack. It's particularly dangerous for our kind because the anesthesia affects our ability to shift."

I pushed through the doors without hesitation. Inside, Dr. Allen, a werewolf medical specialist Devon had apparently contacted, was preparing for surgery.

"Dr. Allen, I'll assist you," I announced, grabbing a surgical gown. "This was triggered by external stress. I know his body better than anyone."

Dr. Allen nodded, recognizing my medical expertise. "I've heard about your skills, Ms. Gray. We could use your help."

I stepped up to the operating table, looking down at my grandfather's pale face. Despite my anger and worry, I remained focused. With Dr. Allen present, I couldn't let emotions cloud my judgment.

Three grueling hours later, we completed the surgery. I stepped out into the hallway, exhaustion washing over me.

"Your medical skills are truly remarkable," Dr. Allen commented, removing his surgical mask.

I nodded in acknowledgment, too tired for false modesty, but my face remained grim. My grandfather was stable, but he shouldn't have been here in the first place.

As I stood in the hallway collecting my thoughts, Victoria appeared, her perfect makeup and designer outfit looking absurdly out of place amidst the hospital's sterility.

"Why didn't you tell the family your grandfather gave you ownership of the territory?" she demanded without preamble. "You've been keeping it to yourself all this time."

I stared at her in disbelief. My grandfather was fighting for his life, and she was worried about property?

"That territory hasn't belonged to the Gray family for years," I replied coldly. "Lydia legally acquired it over a decade ago. It's her private property."

Victoria's perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose. "Then how did it end up in your possession?"

"Why shouldn't I have it?" I shot back. "Are people like you more deserving?"

Victoria's face hardened. "You've always been disloyal to the pack. You—"

"Disloyal?" I cut her off. "Is that what you call it when someone refuses to be your punching bag?"

Before Victoria could respond, heavy footsteps approached. Jonathan, my so-called father, strode toward us with fury etched into his features.

Without warning, he slapped me hard across the face. The sound echoed through the hospital corridor.

"You ungrateful bitch," he snarled. "If I had known you would be so disloyal to the family, I would have killed you the day you were born! The white wolf bloodline is a disgrace to our family!"

The sting of the slap was nothing compared to the burning rage building inside me. Victoria didn't try to stop him; instead, she stepped forward.

"You need to apologize and return control of that territory to Jonathan," she demanded. "It's the right thing to do."

I stared at them, feeling something primal stir within me. My father had just admitted he would have murdered me as an infant if he'd known I wouldn't be his obedient puppet.

"And if I say no?" I growled, feeling a strange sensation as my eyes flashed with white light. My inner wolf, dormant for so long, seemed to be awakening, responding to the threat and insult.

Jonathan's eyes widened slightly at the change in my demeanor. He'd expected the cowed, submissive daughter he'd cast out three years ago. Instead, he was facing a woman who had survived without him, without the pack.

I felt truly dangerous, a feeling that was both new and exhilarating. Was my wolf returning?