Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

Devon

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I sat in the armchair by the window, partially hidden in shadows as I waited for Joe to finish his shower. The salve weighed in my pocket, but that wasn’t the only reason I was here.

When Joe finally emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist, steam billowing behind him, he nearly jumped out of his skin upon seeing me.

“Jesus Christ!” he yelped, clutching his chest. “Are you trying to give me a fucking heart attack?”

I let my wolf rise just beneath the surface, knowing my eyes would glint with gold. “Do you have feelings for Evelyn?” I kept my voice deliberately calm,

though my wolf was growling inside.

Joe froze, water droplets falling from his hair onto his shoulders. After a moment, he turned away, grabbing a t–shirt from his dresser.

“So that’s why you’re here,” he muttered, pulling the shirt over his head. “You’re what–marking your territory? Making sure I know she’s off–limits?”

I leaned forward, keeping my gaze fixed on the younger wolf. “You didn’t answer my question. Is that why you’ve been refusing the arranged matches?

Because you have feelings for Evelyn?”

Joe’s hands trembled slightly as he pulled on his sweatpants. I could smell his emotions–raw and uncontrolled–filling the room. The scent of a young wolf

unable to master his feelings.

“What does it matter?” Joe finally snapped, his voice cracking. To my surprise, tears welled in his eyes. “You swooped in and took her anyway.”

I watched as he struggled to control himself, his scent fluctuating wildly. I remembered being his age, though I’d had better control even then.

“You’re young, Joe. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between admiration and love,” I said, softening my tone. “Real love–the kind that lasts–isn’t just about wanting someone. It’s about standing with them through everything. It’s when you face death together, when the fear of losing them tears you apart inside. That’s how you know what’s in your heart.”

Joe looked away, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “What the hell would you know about it?”

“I know that I’m going to stand beside Evelyn no matter what comes our way,” I said firmly, meaning every word. “That’s not something I’m saying lightly.

Joe stared at me, then let out a bitter laugh. “Just don’t hurt her, okay? She’s been through enough.”

I nodded, then reached into my pocket and pulled out the container. “Here. Evelyn made this for your burns. She said to apply it twice a day.”

Before he would say something, I left his room. I felt a strange mix of sympathy and satisfaction. The boy had a crush, nothing more. What I felt for Evelyn went far deeper than that.

Evelyn

I watched as Lily chewed on the end of her pencil, her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked through another calculus problem. It was nice to focus on something so normal for a change.

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Chapter 148

“I think I got it this time,‘ she said, pushing her notebook toward me.

I checked her work, nodding approvingly. “Eight out of ten correct. That’s a huge improvement from when we started.”

Lily beamed, clapping her hands together. “I told you I wasn’t stupid!”

“I never thought you were,” I replied with a smile. “You’re actually quite bright when you focus. You just get distracted easily.”

“It’s hard to concentrate on derivatives when there’s so much drama happening all the time, Lily said, rolling her eyes. “But I promise I’ll keep practicing. I have to pass this class or my mom will kill me.”

Keep this up and you’ll be fine, I encouraged her. “Just remember that right now, school is your main quest. Everything else is just side missions.”

Lily’s smile faltered. “Speaking of school… you mentioned you’re taking a break?”

I nodded, gathering up the study materials. The decision had been weighing on me for days. “Just for a little while. I have some important things to figure

out.”

“But who’s going to sit with me in the cafeteria?” Lily pouted, looking genuinely upset. “Why do you need to leave now?”

I just need some time to deal with some personal issues.”

A soft knock interrupted us. Devon stood in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space. My heart did that annoying little flutter it always did when he

appeared.

“Mind if 1 steal Evelyn for a bit?” he asked, his eyes lingering on my face.

Lily wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Sure thing. I should get ready for bed anyway.”

Once we reached Devon’s room, I turned to him. “How did it go with Joe?” I pressed, curious about their conversation. “What did you say to him?”

“I just gave him some perspective,” Devon said vaguely. “Told him he should branch out more, not focus all his attention on just one person.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. “Are you saying Joe has feelings for someone? Is that why he’s been fighting the arranged matches?”

Devon moved closer, his eyes darkening slightly. “What he feels isn’t love. It’s admiration.”

“And how would you know the difference?” I asked, my heart beating faster as Devon closed the distance between us.

‘Because I know what real love feels like,” he murmured, his hand coming up to cup my face. “It feels like this.”

His lips found mine, gentle at first, then with increasing hunger. My knees weakened as he deepened the kiss, his arm wrapping around my waist to keep me from falling. Heat spread through my body, and I found myself responding with equal passion.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless, Devon’s eyes had darkened to a stormy blue, and he pressed his forehead against mine.

*Real love is what I feel for you right now,” he whispered, taking my hand and placing it over his heart. I could feel it pounding beneath my palm, matching the rhythm of my own.

The sensation triggered something deep within me. Suddenly, my wolf stirred violently, making me gasp. The familiar panic began to rise–the fear of losing

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