Rise of the Banished She-Wolf Chapter 83

Devon

As I approached my office, Terry Walker, one of the board members, rushed forward with an outstretched hand and a too-wide smile.

"Devon! What a pleasant surprise to see you here," Walker said, his voice overly enthusiastic. "We've been concerned about your prolonged absence from the company. The board has some questions about—"

I felt my eyes flash dangerously. "The company is running perfectly fine, isn't it?" My voice was calm but carried an unmistakable edge. "I may not physically be here, but everything is still operating as it should. Or is there something specific you're concerned about, Walker?"

The older man took an involuntary step back, sensing my irritation. My wolf was close to the surface, and Walker could feel it.

"No, no, of course not. Everything is in perfect order," Walker stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "I merely wanted to welcome you back."

"Then we're done here." I dismissed him with a subtle nod and continued toward my office, leaving the board member visibly shaken.

Jason was waiting inside with stacks of documents requiring my attention. I sank into my leather chair and immediately asked, "How's the restoration project for Evelyn's historical home coming along?"

Jason pulled out a specific folder. "We've hit a small issue. The renovation requires specialized reinforcement materials that are quite expensive. Ms. Gray's deposit only covers the basic restoration. We've prepared three different proposals based on varying price points."

I barely glanced at the documents before grabbing the most expensive option and signing it with a flourish. "Use the highest quality materials for everything. Run it through my personal account."

"But sir, Ms. Gray specifically insisted on paying for this herself," Jason reminded me.

"And she will think she has," I replied, a hint of a smile on my lips. "We'll return her deposit later. I want this done right—she deserves nothing less."

Jason nodded, knowing better than to argue when I had that determined look.

The morning passed quickly as I tackled the most pressing matters, but my concentration was broken when my office door burst open without warning. Alex Redwood stormed in, his face flushed with anger.

"What the hell, Devon? You cancelled all our contracts without even a courtesy call?" Alex demanded, slamming his palms on my desk.

I leaned back in my chair, unfazed. "Your company's performance has been declining for months. The materials you've been supplying are substandard, and your financials show alarming losses." My gaze hardened, carrying a weight that made him flinch. "Did you think I wouldn't notice you cutting corners with inferior materials?"

"I've always used those materials," Alex argued. "You never complained before. Is this about Emilia? Because if it is—"

"I've warned you multiple times about the quality issues," I cut him off coldly. "You chose to ignore my concerns. This is strictly business, Alex."

He stared at me for a long moment, the fury in his eyes slowly being replaced by a shrewd gleam. He straightened his suit, his demeanor shifting entirely. 'Look, I know Emilia has been persistent, but I can send her abroad for a while. She won't interfere with whatever you have going on with that Gray girl."

My jaw tightened. "I never had feelings for your sister, Alex. I've made that clear from the beginning. The arranged mating your family keeps pushing is never going to happen."

"Our families' alliance would strengthen both our positions in the werewolf community," Alex insisted.

"I don't need a mate to strengthen my position," I replied, my voice dropping to a dangerous octave. "The Hall pack stands on its own merit. Now, if you want to discuss real solutions to your company's problems, I'm willing to listen. Otherwise, this conversation is over."

Alex's face contorted with rage. Without another word, he stormed out.

---

Evelyn

After shopping, Lily suggested we visit Jack's farm, saying the countryside scenery would lift our spirits.

"These are our organic vegetable fields," said our guide, an older farmer with weathered skin and kind eyes. "We grow over seventy specialized varieties here, all with particular nutritional benefits for our kind."

Lily plucked a small yellow tomato from a vine and bit into it, her eyes widening with delight. "Oh my god, Eve, you have to try this! It's so much better than anything from the grocery store!"

I sampled one, savoring the burst of sweetness. "You're right, it's incredible."

Jack Swift appeared from between rows of vibrant green plants, smiling at our reactions. "This is our family's premium selection farm. No pesticides, no chemicals—just pure, natural farming methods. We supply most of the high-end produce to werewolf families throughout Seattle, as well as select human clients."

I looked around with newfound appreciation. I'd underestimated the Swift family's influence and resources. For a Beta family, they had established a remarkably stable position in the werewolf hierarchy.

"I spent most of my childhood here," Jack continued as we walked toward a greenhouse. "My mother had severe silver allergies, and the clean environment helped her condition. We don't just grow for ourselves—we have a delivery service for many of Seattle's elite families, including the Halls."

"The entire operation is impressive," I said, observing the workers carefully tending the crops. "But it must be challenging to manage."

"It is," Jack admitted. "Most of our workers are older now. Finding young people interested in farming is getting harder."

"Have you considered implementing more technology?" I asked. "I could design a smart system that would monitor soil moisture, temperature variations, and pest detection. It could even be calibrated to identify plants harmful to werewolves."

Jack's eyes lit up. "That would be incredible. Would you really do that for us?"

"Of course," I smiled. "I could program AI to handle most of the monitoring, which would reduce the physical labor for your staff."

"I wouldn't want to replace anyone," Jack said quickly. "Most of our workers are descendants of werewolves who lost their ability to shift. They have nowhere else to go."

"That's not what I'm suggesting," I assured him. "Technology should help people, not replace them. Your workers would still be essential, just with less physical strain."

Jack's relief was evident. "Then yes, I'd be grateful for your help."

I turned to Lily with a teasing smile. "You've got good taste in men, I'll give you that."

Lily blushed furiously, avoiding Jack's gaze as she mumbled, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Our moment was interrupted by my phone ringing. Seeing Ryan's number, I excused myself and stepped away to the edge of the greenhouse.

"Ryan? What's wrong?" I asked, instantly alert.

"It's Lydia's diner! Jonathan's men are here; they've trashed the place," Ryan's voice was tight with anger.

My body went rigid, and I felt my eyes flash silver-gray. "Is Lydia hurt? How did he even manage that? Didn't he just get into a car accident?"

"I don't know, probably just scratches. The place is a mess, and Lydia's pretty shaken up."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," I said, my voice turning cold as ice. I ended the call and turned to find Lily and Jack watching me with concern.

As I walked back, I felt something stir within my chest—a rumbling anger that felt almost primal. For a brief moment, I sensed my inner wolf responding to the threat against someone I cared about. The sensation was both thrilling and frightening.