Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 14

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**

Devon bent down to retrieve the pillow that had found its way to the floor, a bemused grin dancing on his lips. I watched him as he approached my bed, his movements deliberate and gentle, like he was handling something precious. He carefully tucked the pillow behind my back, ensuring I was comfortable before stepping back to assess the scene.

“Did someone come to visit you?” he inquired, his tone casual, yet his keen eyes swept over the room, taking in the scattered flowers and the slightly disordered state of my hospital bed.

A wave of heat rushed to my cheeks. Getting caught in the act of hurling a pillow at an Alpha was humiliating enough, but knowing it was Devon Hall—someone I had once admired from a distance—made it all the more mortifying.

“A self-centered narcissist,” I replied, irritation creeping into my voice despite my efforts to sound nonchalant.

Devon’s gaze narrowed as he observed the flowers strewn across the floor. Without a word, he crossed the room, picked up the bouquet with a casual flick of his wrist, and tossed it into the trash can by the door with an air of finality.

“This is what I brought for breakfast,” he declared, shifting the focus as he produced a paper bag from his side. “You must be starving by now.”

I nodded, my stomach betraying me with a loud growl that echoed through the room, amplifying my embarrassment. Great. Just what I needed—a reminder of my vulnerability.

From the bag, Devon retrieved a sleek thermos and unscrewed the lid, releasing a wave of rich, inviting aromas that filled the small hospital room. The scent of oatmeal mingled with hints of berries and nuts, instantly making my mouth water.

“This is specially made oatmeal,” Devon explained, his voice steady as he revealed the contents. “It’s packed with ingredients that aid in healing, particularly for…” He hesitated for a moment, lowering his voice to a near whisper, “silver-induced wounds.”

Curiosity piqued, I reached for the container, but Devon pointed at my right arm, which was tethered to an IV drip, and my left arm, heavily bandaged and immobilized.

“It’s best not to move around too much,” he insisted gently, retrieving a spoon from the bag. “Allow me to help you.”

My cheeks flushed anew. There was an intimacy to his gesture that made me squirm, yet beneath that discomfort, I sensed a warmth that I was reluctant to analyze too closely.

Devon scooped a spoonful of the oatmeal, blowing softly on it to cool it before bringing it to my lips. His blue eyes locked onto mine, an intensity in his gaze that sent my heart racing.

After a moment’s hesitation, I opened my mouth, accepting the spoonful. The oatmeal was perfectly sweet, warm, and had a subtle flavor that danced on my palate, leaving me intrigued. As I swallowed, a tingling sensation spread through my body, and I felt my inner wolf stir, as if awakening from a long slumber.

“What is…” I began, trying to articulate the unusual element that lingered in the food.

His expression softened slightly, a hint of understanding in his eyes. “Lily specifically asked me to look after you. You’re her friend, and if I don’t take care of you, she’ll never let me hear the end of it.”

Without waiting for my reply, Devon gathered his laptop and made his way toward the adjoining waiting room. His Alpha presence loomed over the space, a silent declaration that his decision was final.

I sighed in frustration, feeling too weak to argue further. The combination of the silver wound and the lingering warmth from the special oatmeal left me feeling both drained and oddly invigorated.

Just as I closed my eyes to rest, the door to my hospital room swung open with a force that startled me. A middle-aged couple stormed in, the woman’s face twisted in anger. I recognized them immediately as Jessica’s parents, the Fosters.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding!” Mrs. Foster’s voice rang out, sharp and accusatory. “You barely return from Portland, and already you’re lounging in a luxury hospital room. Did you hook up with some rich man to pay for all this?”

I blinked, confusion washing over me as I struggled to comprehend the sudden intrusion. Mrs. Foster’s words dripped with venom, each syllable laced with contempt.

“My daughter told me everything,” she continued, her voice rising with indignation. “How you’ve been trying to steal Brian from her! First at school, and now you’re pretending to be injured just to get his attention!”

“Your daughter is the one who’s delusional,” I shot back, my voice icy as I finally found my footing. “Brian isn’t worth anyone’s attention, especially not mine. He came here uninvited, spouting nonsense about Jessica and me fighting over him.”