Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 48

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**
**Chapter 48**

**Evelyn**

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me,” I said as Devon’s sleek black SUV glided away from the campus, the evening air crisp with the unmistakable chill of October. The luxurious leather seats enveloped me in warmth, a welcome embrace against the coolness outside.

“Of course,” he replied, his voice smooth and assured, one hand firmly gripping the steering wheel while the other rested casually on the console between us. “What’s on your mind?”

Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of my concerns settle in my chest. “How much do you really know about Gray Enterprises?”

Devon’s gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, but I noticed a slight tightening of his jaw, a subtle indication of his interest. “It’s a mid-sized company, primarily focused on real estate and some tech investments. We’ve had a few dealings with them through our subsidiary companies. Why do you ask?”

“My grandfather transferred thirty percent of the shares to me,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. “There’s a shareholders meeting on Friday, and I can’t shake this feeling of vulnerability. I have no idea what to expect. It’s been three years since I’ve had any involvement in this.”

Devon nodded thoughtfully, his expression serious. “Would you like me to help you prepare for it?”

“If you wouldn’t mind,” I said, a wave of relief washing over me. “I really don’t want to walk into that meeting completely clueless.”

“Do you have access to the company’s financial reports? That would be a great place to start,” he suggested, his tone practical.

“Yes,” I confirmed, recalling the file my grandfather’s beta, Marcus, had dropped off. “He gave me a file with all the reports from the past three years.”

Devon turned his head slightly, his piercing blue eyes catching the glow of the streetlights. “Then let’s go through them together. We can stop by your place, and I’ll guide you on what to look for.”

A sense of relief settled over me, lifting a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying. “Thank you, Devon.”

“No need to thank me,” he said, his voice softening, a hint of warmth in his tone. “That’s what…” He hesitated, searching for the right word. “That’s what friends are for.”

Friends. Was that what we were? After that kiss, after everything that had transpired between us, I found myself grappling with the definition of our relationship. But for now, calling him a friend felt like a safe harbor amidst the storm of my thoughts.

Once we arrived at Moon Bay Apartments, I was taken aback as Devon headed straight for the kitchen while I made my way to gather the financial reports.

“What are you doing?” I asked, setting my laptop and the file of reports on the kitchen island, my curiosity piqued.

Devon was already rummaging through my refrigerator, pulling out an assortment of ingredients—meat, herbs, and vegetables I didn’t even recall purchasing. “I’m making us something to eat. Financial analysis works better on a full stomach,” he replied with a casual confidence.

I watched him, captivated, as his large hands skillfully sliced and seasoned the meat. There was something inexplicably intimate about him being in my kitchen, preparing food with an ease that suggested he had done it countless times before.

“I had no idea you could cook,” I remarked, opening my laptop to prepare for our work session.

A small smile danced on his lips, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “There are many things you don’t know about me, Evelyn.”

Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves seated at the kitchen island, plates of perfectly cooked steak—rare, just as wolves preferred it—before us, while my laptop displayed the financial reports of Gray Enterprises.

I blinked in surprise, glancing at the time display on my laptop. We had been engrossed in our work for over six hours, and it felt like mere moments had passed.

“I had no idea it was so late,” I admitted, closing my laptop with a sense of finality. “Thank you for all your help. I feel much more prepared now.”

Devon stood up, collecting our long-empty plates with a casual efficiency. “Consider it a consultation fee, payable later. I should be heading out and let you get some sleep.”

As he moved toward the door, a thought struck me. It was so late, and he looked exhausted. The responsible thing would be to…

“You could stay,” I blurted out before I could second-guess myself. “In the guest room, I mean. It’s so late, and you’ve been driving me around all day.”

Devon paused, turning to face me with an unreadable expression, his eyes searching mine. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, trying to reassure him. “It’s the least I can do after all your help. Besides, you’re Lily’s uncle. It’s not like it’s weird or anything.”

In that moment, something flickered in Devon’s eyes—a flash of silver-blue that sent a shiver down my spine, reminding me of his wolf nature. The atmosphere in the room seemed to shift, the temperature dropping as if charged with an unspoken tension.

Before I could fully process my thoughts, he was right in front of me, one strong arm sliding around my waist, pulling me closer than necessary. His scent enveloped me, familiar and intoxicating, and once again, my wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin—just as it always did around him.

“So that’s how you see me?” he murmured, his voice low and laced with a dangerous allure. “As your friend’s uncle?”

My breath caught in my throat as his face lowered toward mine, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my lips. “Is that all I am to you, Evelyn?”