Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 39

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

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“Evelyn! Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here!”

The unmistakable voice of Lily broke through the haze of my thoughts, pulling me from my reverie. I turned to see her rushing toward me, her golden-brown hair dancing in the air as she moved with uncontainable excitement. Behind her, Devon trailed at a more measured pace, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Hi, Lily,” I replied, a genuine smile spreading across my face. It felt like a breath of fresh air to see her familiar, cheerful face after the heavy atmosphere of the family dinner. “I was just attending my grandfather’s event.”

“This is perfect timing!” Lily exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious as she grabbed my hands, squeezing them with delight. “You absolutely have to come with me to Emilia’s celebration! She just launched her jewelry collection, and it’s absolutely stunning!”

My brow furrowed slightly. “Emilia? I don’t think I know her.”

“Oh, it’s Emilia Redwood! She’s fabulous,” Lily continued, her excitement bubbling over like a fizzy drink. “She comes from one of the oldest wolf families in the northwest. Her designs are inspired by our… you know.” She leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially, hinting at our werewolf culture without saying the words outright.

I felt a flicker of interest but quickly pushed it aside. “I appreciate the invitation, but I really should head home,” I said, searching for a polite way to decline. Social gatherings were never my forte, especially after the emotional toll of dealing with my family’s dynamics.

Devon stepped closer, his scent—a blend of pine and wilderness—overwhelming my senses in an unexpected wave. “They’re all friends, Evelyn. Why not sit for a while? I can drive you back to Moon Bay afterward,” he offered, his voice deep and steady, yet there was an underlying invitation that felt more personal than casual.

His presence was powerful, not in a way that intimidated me, but rather in a way that offered reassurance. It was strange how my wolf seemed to recognize something in him that my human side was still grappling to understand.

“Well…” I hesitated, glancing between Lily’s eager expression and Devon’s penetrating gaze.

“Please?” Lily added, her smile wide and infectious. “It’ll be fun, I promise.”

Despite my better judgment, I found myself nodding. “Alright, but just for a little while.”

Lily squealed in delight, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the restaurant section of the hotel. Devon followed closely behind us, and I could feel his gaze on my back, a steady presence that both comforted and unnerved me.

As we entered the private dining room, I was struck by the elegance surrounding us. Silver and blue accents adorned the space, creating an atmosphere of sophistication. A small group of people had gathered around a display of intricately designed jewelry, each piece glinting under the carefully positioned lights, capturing my attention.

“Dev, darling! You finally made it!” A striking woman with auburn hair detached herself from the group and approached us with an air of confidence that was hard to ignore. Her scent was a heady mix of mountain air and wild roses, drawing me in even as I felt my wolf bristle at her presence. This had to be Emilia Redwood. The way she looked at Devon, the familiar way she touched his arm, spoke of a history I could sense but not fully understand.

“Emilia,” Devon greeted her with a slight nod, his tone polite but noticeably cooler than hers. “Congratulations on your collection.”

Her smile was radiant as she turned her attention to me, her green eyes assessing me like a hawk sizing up its prey. “And who is this?” The question sounded friendly enough, but I could feel the subtle shift in her posture—defensive, territorial.

“This is Evelyn Gray,” Devon said, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back as he made the introduction. “Evelyn, this is Emilia Redwood.”

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