Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 30

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**
**Chapter 30**

**Evelyn**

“Grandpa, I have a place to stay. It’s safe,” I asserted, my voice unwavering as I faced William’s expectant stare. We were outside my apartment building, the evening air thick with unspoken tension, each moment stretching like the shadows lengthening around us.

Victoria, with her perfectly manicured nails tapping rhythmically against her designer purse, let out a mocking laugh. “Safe? The only real danger around here is you, Evelyn. You make others feel unsafe just by being yourself.”

I inhaled deeply, a wave of annoyance washing over me, but I refused to let her words prick my calm. “At least I don’t need to undermine my own family to cling to my status,” I shot back, my heart pounding not just from the confrontation but from the weight of the truth in my words.

William’s weathered face reflected disappointment, yet he nodded slowly, almost reluctantly. “Just be careful, Evelyn,” he murmured, his voice laced with concern that echoed in my mind long after they turned to leave. Victoria’s parting glare promised that this confrontation was far from over, and as I pivoted to head back into the building, I felt my shoulders sag under the weight of exhaustion.

Once inside my apartment, I sank onto the couch, the familiar fabric enveloping me like a comforting embrace. Just as I began to relax, the sharp ping of an incoming email jolted me upright. My heart raced as I read the subject line: “Notice of Mediation – Foster vs. Gray.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, the words barely escaping my lips as I opened the email. “Ms. Gray, the Foster family representative attorney Reynold Morgan requests your presence for an out-of-court mediation tomorrow at 2 PM…”

My fingers flew across the keyboard, a frantic search for information on Seattle’s top lawyers. Two names stood out prominently in the results: Alexander Ward, Chief Legal Counsel for Hall Corporation, and Reynold Morgan, an independent attorney.

Morgan’s website caught my eye; he specialized in “unconventional cases” and had a history of representing clients involved with “special communities.” The wording was subtle, but for someone like me, the implication was clear. This lawyer was familiar with werewolves.

I snatched my phone, dialing Aiden’s encrypted line with urgency. He answered on the second ring, his voice instantly alert.

“Aiden, I’m being sued,” I blurted out, skipping the pleasantries.

“What? By whom?” His concern was palpable, cutting through the tension like a knife.

“Jessica Foster. Her lawyer is Reynold Morgan. I think he knows about our community.”

A heavy silence enveloped the line, the weight of my words hanging heavily between us. “Reynold Morgan… I’ve heard of him. Rumor has it he specializes in ‘special cases,'” Aiden replied, his tone grave.

“Can the Moonlight Organization find a lawyer strong enough to counter him?” I asked, pacing my living room, my mind racing with possibilities.

“This would take time… I’d need to reach out to some hidden allies,” Aiden hesitated, then added, “By the way, Dr. Anderson’s project is about to launch. He’s eager to collaborate with ‘Aurora.'”

I sighed, torn between the urgency of my situation and the potential of future opportunities. “After this case is resolved…”

After hanging up, I found myself staring at Devon’s contact information on my phone. My thumb hovered over his name, uncertainty swirling in my chest. He had been so protective lately, almost caring. Maybe he could help me find a trustworthy lawyer?

I picked up the phone several times, hesitating before finally setting it back down, the weight of indecision heavy in the air.

The next morning, I woke to strange noises emanating from my kitchen. My wolf senses, though dulled, detected unfamiliar footsteps. Grabbing a broom as a makeshift weapon, I crept cautiously toward the sounds, heart racing.

As I pushed the door open, the familiar scent of pine and wilderness washed over me, easing my tension slightly but not fully. I stepped inside, my eyes narrowing at the sight of Devon casually preparing breakfast in my kitchen.

“Mr. Hall? How did you get in here?” I demanded, my voice edged with irritation.

He turned, wearing a crisp button-down shirt with sleeves rolled up, looking effortlessly composed. “Good morning, Evelyn. Mrs. Whitmore gave me the key.”

Confusion and irritation bubbled within me. “You shouldn’t just enter someone’s apartment without permission.”

Devon seemed unfazed by my protests, setting a plate of high-protein breakfast on the counter. “Your injuries need proper nutrition to heal completely,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Reluctantly, I sat down, my stomach growling in response to the delicious aroma. As I began to eat, I noticed Devon’s gaze fall upon the notes I had made the previous night about Reynold Morgan.

His expression darkened immediately. “Reynold Morgan? Why were you looking into him? Did the Fosters sue you?”

I crossed my arms defiantly, my voice sharp. “This is my problem. I can handle it.”

Devon’s voice dropped dangerously low, the intensity in his eyes sending a shiver down my spine. “You always refuse help. You always put yourself in danger. Don’t you understand how I truly feel about you?”

Jason cleared his throat, breaking my concentration. “Sera has reviewed the case materials and is prepared, sir.”

I nodded absently, frustration mounting. “Why hasn’t she contacted me? Doesn’t she understand Morgan’s danger?”

“Perhaps Ms. Gray is accustomed to solving problems independently,” Jason suggested carefully, trying to tread lightly.

I shook my head, the urgency of the situation weighing on me. “This is different. This concerns the entire werewolf community’s secret.”

As evening approached with still no word from Evelyn, I decided to change tactics. I called Lily.

“Lily, I need a favor,” I said when she answered, urgency creeping into my tone.

“What is it, Uncle Devon?”

“Evelyn has a legal mediation tomorrow, but the opposing lawyer is extremely dangerous.”

“Dangerous? What do you mean?”

“Could you tell her you ‘coincidentally’ know an excellent lawyer named Sera Cooper?”

Lily sounded confused. “Uncle, why don’t you just tell her directly that you’ve already arranged a lawyer?”

I sighed, the frustration bubbling to the surface. “Because she won’t accept my direct help.”

That night, I stood by my apartment window, gazing toward Moonlight Bay Apartments. Memories of the Gray family trial three years ago flooded my mind, the helplessness I felt as a bystander while injustice unfolded still fresh in my heart.

“I had no power to stop the injustice then,” I whispered to myself, determination hardening my resolve. “But things are different now.”

For the first time in years, my wolf stirred within me, awakening something beyond mere territorial instinct. I would protect her, whether she wanted it or not.