Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Evelyn

Throughout the meal, Devon would periodically add food to my plate, choosing the best pieces of meat and my favorite vegetables.

As conversation flowed around us, I caught Wesley watching Devon and me with interest.

His eyes twinkling with amusement, he leaned forward. Look at that! Young love is something else. I’ve never seen such attentiveness!*

Devon didn’t even glance up, continuing to arrange my plate with methodical care, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. His fingers moved with

precision, selecting only the best morsels for me.

“You should have seen him as a teenager,” Joe added with a laugh. “All scowls and growls. I never thought I’d witness Devon Hall being this gentle with

anyone!”

I felt my cheeks warm. “I can serve myself, you know,” I murmured, though I couldn’t deny the flutter in my chest at Devon’s attentiveness.

“Nonsense, Lydia said, watching us with approval. “That’s exactly right. You need someone to take care of you for a change. The elderly woman nodded firmly. “After all you’ve been through, it’s about time.”

Devon’s hand briefly covered mine under the table, a silent gesture of affection that made my heart skip.

After dinner, we moved to Sterling Mansion, where I insisted on helping the elders with their various ailments. In the cozy sitting room, I carefully applied a special herbal poultice to Scarlett’s arm, gently wrapping it with a clean bandage.

“This should help with the inflammation,” I explained. “The silver exposure wasn’t severe, but it’s been aggravating your arthritis.”

Scarlett nodded gratefully. “Your grandmother’s recipes were always the best. I see she passed that gift to you.”

I moved to Lydia next, preparing a steaming foot bath with wolf’s bane and other herbs. “The full moon is coming in three days,” I explained, helping Lydia lower her feet into the warm water. “It’s making your joint pain worse.”

Lydia sighed with relief as the medicinal herbs began to work. “Ah, that’s heaven.” She caught my hand before I could move away. “Enough fussing over us old folks. Come sit with me and talk a while, child.”

I settled beside her, and Lydia lowered her voice. “I know Gregory came.”

“What did he say?” I asked, tensing at the mention of Isabel’s nephew.

“What he always wants–what he thinks belongs to him. Lydia’s expression hardened. “Ryan refused to let him see you. Said you were away on business. I don’t trust that man one bit. There’s something in his eyes…”

I frowned. “Maybe I should speak with him. He is Isabel’s nephew, after all. Perhaps I should offer him some control over part of the territory?”

“Absolutely not!” Lydia’s vehemence startled me. “Don’t you dare! That man and his family fled when Moonheal Pack was struggling. Now they come crawling back because they see you revitalizing everything?” She shook her head firmly. “Besides, this mansion isn’t even part of the pack territory. You bought yourself with the money Isabel gave you and what you saved. Isabel wanted this place in your hands, not his.”

“You’re right, I said softly. “I just… sometimes I wonder if I’m being too harsh.”

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Chapter 158

“Harsh? Lydia scoffed. “You’re being smart. Isabel would be proud of the woman you’ve become.”

Later, as the evening wound down, Devon suggested we take a walk through the garden. The night air was cool, stars shimmering overhead as we strolled between neat rows of herbs and flowers.

‘Isabel used to bring me out here to collect herbs,” I said, feeling my eyes brighten with the memory. “I was always able to find the rarest specimens.” As I spoke, something stirred within me–a flicker of my wolf, awakening to the memory of happiness and freedom.

“When I was eight, Kate told my parents I was destroying the rare plants,” I continued, my voice growing softer. ‘In reality, I was just tending to them, talking to them the way Isabel taught me…” The light in my heart dimmed, and I felt the presence of my wolf receding as the painful memory surfaced. “After that, I wasn’t allowed in the garden alone anymore.”

Devon’s hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. “This is your garden now,” he said quietly. “No one can stop you from doing anything here.

Tears welled in my eyes, and Devon gently brushed them away with his thumb. Our gazes locked, and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine in a tender, heartfelt kiss.

‘I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” he whispered against my lips. “I promise.”

We continued walking, the moonlight casting silver patterns across the garden path. Devon seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking again.

“There’s a legend among the older packs,” he began. “About an ancient werewolf family in Seattle that passed down a mysterious totem through generations.”

I stopped walking. “How do you know about that?”

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