Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 43

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence**

**Chapter 43**

“There you are!” Lily exclaimed, her arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace that felt like a warm shield against the chill in the air.

“Yesterday was so dull without you,” she continued, her voice brightening the gray afternoon.

“Sorry,” I replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips, though I felt a twinge of guilt. “I had some stuff to handle.”

“Stuff more important than me? Impossible,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief as we strolled toward the computer science building, the crunch of leaves underfoot punctuating our conversation.

“You should learn programming,” I suggested, picturing her enthusiasm for creativity and how it could translate into coding. “Then you’d have something to do when I’m not around. Something besides just waiting for whatever your family decides for you.”

Lily scrunched her nose in protest. “Computers are so boring,” she declared, her voice dripping with disdain.

“They’re freedom,” I countered, my thoughts drifting to the countless nights spent coding, the glow of the screen a comforting companion. “It’s a skill no one can take away from you.”

Our conversation was abruptly interrupted as we entered the department meeting room. The department chair, a robust man with thinning hair and a commanding presence, was addressing a group of students. He waved us over, motioning for us to take a seat.

“As I was saying,” he continued, his voice booming with authority, “given the exceptional programming talent we’ve seen, I’m appointing Evelyn Gray as the new chair of our computer club, effective immediately.”

A wave of murmurs rippled through the room, and I sat up a little straighter, completely taken aback by the announcement. From the corner, I heard Kate’s voice slice through the chatter like a knife.

“Professor, with all due respect, Evelyn just transferred here. How can she possibly lead the club when she barely knows our systems?”

I had to stifle a smile, the thought racing through my mind, ‘Systems I could hack in my sleep.’

The professor adjusted his glasses, his gaze unwavering. “Ms. Gray’s abilities speak for themselves. This isn’t a popularity contest, Kate. It’s about who has the skills to move the club forward.”

I noticed Kate’s face flush with anger, but she fell silent, her eyes boring into me with a fierce intensity that felt almost murderous.

After classes wrapped up, I found myself perched on a bench near the school gates, scrolling through computer club information on my phone. Devon had texted me, letting me know he’d pick me up at four.

A cold, bitter laugh escaped my lips, surprising even me. “After three years of complete silence? After you and the family turned your backs on me? Now you’re asking for favors as my mother?”

“We’ve allowed you back into the family,” Victoria hissed, her tone sharp. “We’ve accepted your… abnormality. That white wolf of yours has always been a source of shame for us.”

Something inside me snapped, a dam of pent-up emotions breaking free.

“Allowed me back? You never wanted me back! And where were you when I needed protection? When I was exiled at eighteen?” My voice rose, the hurt spilling out like a torrent. “Were you fighting for me then, Mother? Did you even cry when they suppressed my wolf?”

Victoria’s eyes widened in shock at my passionate outburst.

“Or were you too busy grooming the perfect daughter in Kate to give a damn about what happened to me?” I pressed on, the years of bottled-up pain pouring forth. “Tell me, am I even your daughter at all?”

Just as Victoria opened her mouth to respond, a sleek black SUV rolled up, and Devon emerged, his presence instantly commanding the scene.

Both Victoria and I froze, the tension between us crackling like electricity in the air, a palpable reminder of the unresolved conflict that hung in the balance.