Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188

‘I want to,” I replied simply.

Her eyes were swollen from crying, dark circles prominent beneath them. I’d never seen her this vulnerable, and it awakened every protective instinct in my body. I would destroy anyone who caused her this pain–including myself, if necessary.

Within minutes, her breathing deepened. I pressed a kiss to her forehead and quietly left the room, instructing Ryan to make sure she wasn’t disturbed.

In the mansion’s study, Jason waited with his laptop, his expression grave.

“What do you have?” I asked, closing the door behind me.

“Miles sent the stolen DNA research data to an IP address registered offshore, but the actual location appears to be right here in Seattle.” Jason pulled up a

map with a blinking dot. “The recipient accessed the files from this location.”

I leaned over his shoulder, studying the map. “This isn’t just corporate espionage, Jason. This threatens our entire species‘ safety.”

‘I understand, sir.” Jason nodded grimly. “I’ve already dispatched security teams to monitor that location discreetly. If we detect any unusual activity, we’ll

know immediately.”

‘Good. What about the Hall lab’s current status?”

“Security protocols have been upgraded to maximum. All data is now triple–encrypted, and we’ve implemented biometric verification for all access points.” Jason pulled up another screen. “Evelyn’s specific experimental approach is on hold for review, but the overall development of the silver resistance system

continues.”

I ran a hand through my hair, thinking of Evelyn upstairs, broken by the setbacks. “Even if Evelyn needs time to measures. When she’s ready to continue, everything will be waiting for her.”

“Understood, sir.” Jason said.

Soup,

we can’t stop our protective

Then I went to Lydia’s restaurant. Lydia herself emerged from the kitchen, her weathered face breaking into a concerned frown when she saw me alone.

“Where’s Evelyn?” she asked without preamble.

“Sleeping. Today was… difficult.” I followed her to a private booth in the back, where Scarlett, Lydia’s old friend, was waiting.

“You look like hell warmed over,” Scarlett remarked, sipping her red wine with a critical eye. “That fight with the Green boy did a number on you,

didn’t it?

“News travels fast in pack circles.”

“That fight with Shawn was the least of Evelyn’s problems today,” I muttered, accepting the whiskey Lydia placed before me with a grateful nod. “One of her researchers betrayed the project. Sold data to a competitor. The project’s on hold while they regroup.”

Lydia clicked her tongue sympathetically. “That poor girl can’t catch a break, can she? First, you and Shawn had a fight, now this?”

1/2

08:44 Mon, Dec 29 O

Chapter 188

‘She needs time away,” I said, feeling ashamed.

183

Lydia set down a plate of food in front of me before settling into the booth beside Scarlett. “You need to take better care of that girl, Devon. She’s been through more pain than most wolves twice her age. The fact that she opens up to you, that she trusts you with her vulnerabilities–that’s rare for someone

who’s been betrayed so many times.”

‘I know that,‘ I said defensively.

“Do you?” Lydia’s eyes bore into mine. “Love isn’t just about protecting someone with your strength, boy. It’s about giving them more love than they give you. Always more. That girl loves you fiercely–I can see it in how she looks at you. But have you loved her even more fiercely in return?*

Her words hit me like a physical blow. Had I? Or had I been too focused on my own needs?

“I’m trying,‘ I admitted. “I’m taking her to the coastal property for a few days. She needs to heal, to find her balance again.”

Lydia nodded approvingly. “That’s a start.”

As I ate the meal Lydia had prepared, I found myself thinking about what it meant to truly love someone like Evelyn. My wolf had claimed her from the moment we met, but the man in me was still learning how to be what she needed–not just an Alpha, not just a protector, but a partner who put her needs

above his own.