Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217

Evelyn

“This is incredible,” I whispered, afraid that speaking too loudly might somehow break the spell of this sacred space. “How is this even possible? I’ve been in this study dozens of times.”

Lydia smiled, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening. “Isabel was brilliant beyond measure. The entire room sits on a circular rotating mechanism she designed herself.” She pointed to the wall we had just passed through. “When activated, the walls separate completely. creating two independent spaces. From the outside, no one would ever know this inner sanctum exists.”

“But how did the desk trigger it?”

“That’s the genius part. Only that specific desk can activate the mechanism. The outside and inside are identical in every detail–the same books, the same decorations. Anyone searching would never notice anything amiss.” Pride shone in Lydia’s eyes. “Even the most thorough investigation would reveal nothing. The room is perfectly balanced–no hollow sounds, no drafts, nothing.”

She led me to an ornate antique box on a pedestal in the center of the room. With careful hands, she opened it to reveal a familiar jeweled necklace–the one Isabel had worn every day of her life that I could remember.

“Isabel’s necklace,‘ I breathed, reaching out before stopping myself.

“Go ahead, touch it,” Lydia encouraged. “It belongs to you now.”

I carefully lifted the heavy piece, my fingers tracing the intricate silver work and colorful gems that surrounded a large central stone. Unlike the others, this center gem seemed to glow with an inner light.

“Why does this one look different?” I asked, studying the largest stone.

Lydia’s eyes misted over. “Because it isn’t a gemstone at all. It contains Isabel’s ashes. She wanted to remain close to the next white wolf, to guide and protect you even after death.”

My hand trembled. ‘She knew… about me?”

‘She knew everything, Evelyn.” Lydia moved to a wall of journals, pulling one bound in white leather. “Isabel had prophetic dreams. In them, she foresaw that a white wolf would arise who would bring either salvation or destruction to all wolf packs.”

“And she thought that wolf was me?” My voice cracked.

“She knew it was you. The moment your wolf first stirred within you as a child, she felt it.” Lydia opened the journal to a page filled with Isabel’s elegant handwriting. At first, she tried to suppress your wolf, to prevent the prophecy. But your power was too great, your bloodline too strong.”

I sank into a nearby chair, the weight of her words crushing me. So I really am cursed.”

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9:09 Fri, Jan 2

Chapter 217

“No Lydia Anett before re, her eyes flere tal mellyed everthing real. The prophany studni alan

Tighring you ha salvation or destruction that chinier would be yours. So tratead

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“She kept you close, taught you compassion, showed you the guttering of our kind. Every site she beg wasn’t just to train your abilities–it was to forge your heart Lydia’s voice prese soft te ved the rach life, felt the pain of our people, you could never become the harbinger of destruction the peophy

I felt tears welling in my eyes. “Why are you only telling me this now? Why didn’t you tell me when I was

and scared?”

Lydia’s shoulders sagged with the weight of old guilt. “Because I failed you. Isabel made me promise to grisent you be I… I didn’t have her foresight. When the pack turned against you after your first transformation, 1 though perhage azie that if you were away from wolf politics, the prophecy couldn’t come true!

“You helped them cast me out of the pack,” I said, the betrayal still fresh.

“No, I just… I did nothing to stop them. I’m sorry.” Her voice cracked. “And I’ve regretted it every day sene. But now yous. your wolf awakened, and I realize fate cannot be avoided–only faced.”

I stared directly into her eyes. “Are you afraid of me, Lydia? Do you think I’m the monster in Isabel’s prog

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