Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 81

Evelyn

The sting of my father's slap still burned on my cheek as I faced him, feeling my inner wolf stirring within me for the first time in years. Something dangerous was awakening inside me—something I'd suppressed for too long.

Jonathan's eyes widened slightly as he noticed the change in me. I wasn't the same girl he'd cast out three years ago. I was stronger now, and he could sense it.

Just as the tension between us reached its peak, rapid footsteps echoed down the hospital corridor. Felix burst onto the scene, his white coat fluttering as he rushed forward and positioned himself protectively in front of me.

"What's going on here? Who are you people? Why are you causing trouble in a hospital?" Felix demanded, his normally calm demeanor replaced by fierce protectiveness.

Jonathan straightened his expensive suit jacket, looking down his nose at Felix with that familiar arrogance that had haunted my childhood. "I'm her father. What's wrong with disciplining my own daughter?"

The word "father" in his mouth sounded like a lie. He pointed an accusing finger at me. "This ungrateful girl has betrayed our family, stolen what rightfully belongs to the pack!"

Felix turned to look at me, his eyes questioning. "Is he really your father?"

I shook my head firmly, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside me. After what he'd done—how he'd believed the lies about me, how he'd cast me out without a second thought—he'd lost any right to call himself my father.

Jonathan's face contorted with fury. "You disrespectful, ungrateful child!" He lunged forward, hand raised to strike me again. "After everything we've done for you!"

Felix caught his wrist mid-air with surprising strength. "I've known Evelyn for years now, and in all that time, she's never once mentioned having family. If she doesn't acknowledge you, you have no right to call yourself her father."

Jonathan yanked his hand free, his eyes flashing with golden wolf light for a split second before he controlled himself. He didn't even bother addressing Felix's words. Instead, he sneered at me, "Always surrounding yourself with men. Three years away and you've only gotten worse, haven't you?"

The accusation stung, reminding me of the rumors he and Victoria had helped spread about me three years ago. The same rumors that had destroyed my reputation in the pack.

Jason stepped forward then, his calm presence a stark contrast to the heated emotions filling the hallway. "Mr. Gray," he said, his voice measured but carrying an undercurrent of threat, "those are serious accusations you've been making for three years now. Before you continue spreading such claims, I suggest you provide some evidence."

I moved to stand next to Felix, drawing strength from the support of my friends as I faced Jonathan directly. "You've already driven Grandfather into the hospital with your schemes. Is that not enough? Do you need to keep attacking me too?" My voice grew stronger with each word. "You clearly don't care about your family's wellbeing."

I took a deep breath, feeling a newfound confidence as I issued a warning: "You gave up your rights as a father years ago. If you try to lay a hand on me again, I will file a formal complaint with the Northwest Werewolf Council."

The threat landed exactly as I'd intended. Jonathan's face paled slightly—he knew the Council took abuse within packs very seriously, especially from Alphas toward their own blood.

Before he could respond, hurried footsteps approached from the other end of the corridor. A woman with honey-blonde hair and features strikingly similar to Victoria's rushed toward us.

"Jonathan!" Audrey called out, her voice filled with practiced distress. "It's Liam—he's sick. I need you to come see him right away!"

The moment she reached us, Jonathan's entire demeanor changed. The aggressive, intimidating Alpha was instantly replaced by a concerned, gentle man. "What's wrong with him?" he asked, his voice soft as he placed a comforting hand on Audrey's shoulder.

I watched Victoria's face as comprehension dawned. Her eyes widened, then narrowed to slits as she took in the undeniable intimacy between her husband and her sister. The air around us grew thick with tension as Victoria's eyes flashed with wolf-light.

With a growl, Victoria shoved Audrey hard, sending her stumbling backward. "You dare bring your bastard child here?" she snarled, her perfectly manicured nails elongating slightly into claws.

Audrey regained her balance, a calculating smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Victoria, dear, don't make a scene. It's not good for the pack's reputation."

"Reputation?" Victoria laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "He's your brother-in-law, and you betrayed the entire family!"

The two women circled each other like wolves preparing for battle. Jonathan stepped between them, trying to separate them. "That's enough! Both of you!"

Victoria's hand lashed out, her partially transformed claws leaving three thin scratches across Jonathan's cheek. Blood welled up from the marks, and his eyes flashed golden with anger.

"Enough!" Jonathan roared, pushing Victoria away with enough force that she stumbled backward. "Your behavior is only making the Gray family look worse in werewolf society!"

As the drama unfolded, Felix gently pulled me aside, his expression concerned. "Evelyn, what the hell is going on? Who are these people?"

I leaned against the wall, suddenly exhausted. The adrenaline that had been sustaining me was fading, leaving me drained.

"Audrey has been sleeping with Jonathan since I was twenty," I explained quietly. "Victoria knows, of course. She's known for years."

Felix looked confused. "Then why is she acting surprised now?"

I shook my head. "It's not the affair that bothers her. It's the public humiliation." I watched Victoria's theatrical display of outrage with detached interest. "She's more afraid of losing her status as the Alpha's mate and her control over the family assets than she is about being cheated on."

Felix's eyes softened as he looked at me. "And you grew up with this?" He placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn."

I gave him a small smile, touched by his concern. In many ways, the friends I'd made after being cast out had become more of a family to me than my blood relatives ever were.

From down the hall, I caught a glimpse of Audrey's satisfied smirk as she watched Victoria and Jonathan continue their heated argument. Her plan had worked perfectly—she'd successfully created chaos and driven another wedge between the couple. Little did she know, I could see right through her act.

---

Audrey

I couldn't help but feel smug as I watched Victoria and Jonathan fighting. Everything was going according to plan. Their marriage was crumbling, and soon the path would be clear for the next phase.

I slipped away from the scene, heading to where Liam was being examined. The attending physician looked up as I entered.

"It appears to be early-stage silver poisoning," the doctor explained. "Nothing too serious. He'll need specialized treatment, but as long as he avoids silver items in the future, he should make a full recovery."

I nodded, feigning concern while internally celebrating the success of my scheme. The silver exposure had been mild, just enough to create a plausible emergency that would force Jonathan to show his hand in front of Victoria.

I found Jonathan waiting in the hallway, his face troubled. The scratch marks on his cheek were already healing, a benefit of being a full-blooded werewolf.

"I shouldn't have come to you like that, especially in front of Victoria," I said, playing the part of the regretful mistress perfectly.

Jonathan pulled me into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. "Liam is ill. Of course I had to come." His hand caressed my cheek tenderly. "As for Victoria, don't worry about her. I'll be filing for divorce soon, and then you can officially become my Luna."

I leaned into his embrace, resting my head against his chest while my mind raced with silent laughter. 'Become your Luna? You're dreaming. Everything you have will belong to Ethan soon. Only after he takes your place will I reveal that Liam is actually his child, not yours.'

I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, very soon, everything would change.