Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 40

**Chapter 40**

**Evelyn**

Every nerve in my body was on high alert. There was something unsettling about the way she approached me, as if she had a hidden agenda. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” I replied, striving to maintain a calm and steady voice, even as my heart raced.

Emilia stepped in closer, invading my personal space with an air of confidence that made my skin crawl. “I’m just curious,” she said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “I never thought the Moonheal pack would stoop this low. Are you really trying to claw your way back up by getting involved with Dev?”

I stared at her, disbelief flooding my senses. “What the hell?”

“Oh, come on,” she continued, her voice sugary yet her eyes icy. “Don’t pretend you’re oblivious to what’s happening. I see the way he looks at you. But here’s the kicker—I’m the only one who’s truly right for Dev. We share the same world, the same bloodlines. What could someone like you possibly offer him? Especially considering your… situation?”

Each of her words struck me like a physical blow. I felt my hands clench into fists, nails digging into my palms as I fought to keep my composure. She stood there, her gaze unwavering, as if waiting for me to crumble beneath the weight of her taunts. I took a deep breath, desperately trying to push down the turmoil she was stirring within me.

“My bloodline or whatever’s wrong with me doesn’t define my worth,” I replied quietly, but I made sure my voice remained steady. “That’s something I determine for myself.”

Before she could unleash another round of insults, Devon walked in, accompanied by a tall guy who bore a striking resemblance to Emilia. The moment Devon laid eyes on us, his expression darkened, the tension in the air palpable.

“Everything okay here?” he asked, glancing back and forth between me and Emilia, concern etched on his face.

“Just getting acquainted,” Emilia replied, seamlessly slipping back into her facade of a sweet smile.

“This is Alex, Emilia’s brother. Alex, this is Evelyn Gray,” Devon introduced us, his voice even yet firm.

I offered a nod to Alex, but I couldn’t help but notice the slight twitch of Emilia’s smile. Devon had introduced me simply by my name, nothing more, and I could sense Emilia interpreting it as a small victory in this silent battle.

“Hey Evelyn, have you ever played ‘Forest Guardians’?” Devon asked, clearly trying to ease the tension that hung heavy in the air. “It’s a co-op game. I think you’d really enjoy it.”

Thank goodness for that distraction. “No, I’ve never tried it,” I admitted, grateful for the shift in focus.

We moved to another gaming setup beside Lily’s, and Devon handed me a controller. On the screen, we chose these white wolf characters, tasked with protecting a virtual forest from hunters and poachers. It was strange—we had never played together before, yet we seemed to intuitively understand each other. My wolf would distract the enemies while his would take them down, or his would clear a path while mine slipped through tight spots, working in perfect harmony.

“You’re pretty good at this,” Devon remarked quietly after we conquered a particularly challenging level. He looked at me, and for a fleeting moment, the world around us faded away. “You like this, don’t you? Running through the forest, even if it’s just a game.”

I couldn’t deny it. I nodded, a small smile creeping onto my face.

He leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss that started soft yet quickly escalated into something fervent—his mouth warm and demanding, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips until I instinctively parted for him. A low growl rumbled from his throat as our tongues intertwined, slick and urgent, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body.

I pressed closer, feeling the heat radiating from his solid frame against mine; the friction of his chest grazing my breasts made my nipples tighten beneath my shirt. *God, this heat… it’s unraveling me,* my wolf purred with need, a warmth pooling between my legs as his hands slid down to grip my hips, pulling me flush against his growing desire. The kiss deepened, breaths mingling in heated gasps, his teeth nipping at my lower lip just enough to send sparks of pleasure shooting through me, awakening a fire I had buried deep inside.

But then, his control slipped. Fingers trailed lower, slipping under the hem of my skirt, brushing against the edge of my panties with a boldness that made my breath hitch. He nudged them aside, one finger gliding toward my slick folds, the intimate touch sending shockwaves of electric heat through my body.

*Oh God, no one’s ever… this is too much, too soon—I’m not ready.* My body trembled, not just from desire but from fear, the unknown crashing in like a cold wave. I froze, a soft whimper escaping my lips as my hands instinctively pushed against his chest in a moment of panic—*I’ve never let anyone this close, never felt this exposed.*

Devon stilled immediately, his eyes widening as he registered my fear, his wolf’s hunger flickering in his gaze before he pulled back, reining in his instincts. He withdrew his hand gently, his breath ragged, jaw clenched as if he were battling an internal storm.

“Evelyn… I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice strained with restraint. “I almost lost it. You’re not ready—I won’t push.” His eyes darkened further, a mix of regret and barely contained desire swirling within them, as if leaving was the only way to prevent himself from consuming me whole.

He stepped back, the space between us suddenly feeling like an insurmountable chasm, then turned for the elevator without another word, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the hallway, marking his forced retreat.

That night, sleep eluded me. The kiss—and the near-miss—replayed in my mind, my wolf pacing wildly between craving and caution. Whatever this connection was, it stirred long-buried hungers within me, and I found myself grappling with the uncertainty of whether I was terrified or yearning for more.