Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 66

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

**Chapter 66**

Evelyn

The following morning, I adjusted the black baseball cap snugly atop my head, ensuring it sat just right. Oversized sunglasses shielded my eyes, completing my attempt at an incognito look. The dark athletic wear I had chosen was far from subtle, but it draped over me in a way that I hoped would keep me under the radar.

As I stepped outside, I spotted Ethan’s sleek black car gliding to a stop at the curb outside my apartment. I inhaled deeply, feeling the cool air fill my lungs, shouldered my backpack, and made my way to the vehicle. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of rain that lingered just beyond the horizon.

“You look like you’re about to rob a bank,” Ethan quipped as I slid into the passenger seat, the door clicking shut with a soft thud.

“That’s the idea,” I muttered, adjusting my sunglasses as if they could somehow shield me from the world. “Did you have any issues getting the tickets?”

Ethan smoothly pulled away from the curb, merging into the flow of traffic with practiced ease. “Everything’s in place. Dad is currently tangled up with the Northwest Werewolf Council, trying to get his territory restrictions lifted.”

I turned to him, curiosity piqued. “And how’s that going for him?”

“Slowly,” he replied, his grip on the steering wheel tightening, knuckles turning white. “You know how the Council operates—every decision takes an eternity.”

As we navigated through the thinning traffic on our way to the airport, I found my gaze drifting out the window. The cityscape blurred by, and I pondered my next question, choosing my words with care.

“What was he like?” I finally ventured, my voice barely above a whisper. “Jonathan, I mean. What kind of father was he to you while growing up?”

Ethan’s jaw clenched at my inquiry, a flicker of tension passing over his features. “Why are you asking me this now?”

“Just curious,” I replied, my tone light as I attempted to deflect the weight of the conversation.

He fell silent for what felt like an eternity, leaving me to wonder if I had crossed a line. Just when I thought he wouldn’t respond, he finally spoke. “He was… quite good to me.”

“As your real father?” I pressed, watching his face carefully, already bracing myself for the truth I suspected lay beneath his guarded exterior.

“I found out I was adopted when I was twelve,” he confessed, his voice strained as he kept his eyes fixed on the road. “But no, I never knew who my biological father was.”

“When I was digging into Gray Enterprises, I stumbled across some buried secrets, including the truth about your background,” I said quietly, treading lightly. “Your dad, Julian Gray, left you twenty percent of Gray Enterprises. And Jonathan adopted you to secure your shares.”

Ethan’s expression hardened, a storm brewing in his eyes. “I won’t let him take what belongs to the Gray bloodline, Evelyn,” he declared, a fierce intensity flashing across his features. “I won’t.”

The tension in the car hung thickly between us as we drove in silence until we finally arrived at the airport. Aiden was waiting at the entrance, his attire nearly mirroring mine—dark hoodie, sunglasses, and a cap pulled low over his brow.

“Subtle,” I muttered as we approached him. “We might as well hold up a sign saying ‘We’re trying to hide.'”

Aiden flashed a grin, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Leaning closer, he whispered, “We’re being watched. Three o’clock. Don’t look now.”

I fought the instinct to glance around. “How many?”

“At least two that I’ve spotted. They’ve been tracking us since you left your apartment,” he replied, his voice low and urgent.

Fantastic. Just what we needed. “Let’s get through security,” I said, determination settling over me.

The departure lounge was bustling with travelers, but we managed to find seats toward the back, where we could keep an eye on the entrance. I pulled out my phone, pretending to scroll through messages while scanning the area for any signs of trouble.

“Evelyn?”

The familiar voice jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Devon standing there, Jason a few steps behind him. My heart did an inexplicable little flip in my chest.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted out, surprise coloring my tone.

Devon’s eyes flickered between me and Ethan, a hint of amusement in his gaze. “Stop looking so shocked, Evelyn. I go wherever you go.” The look he gave me promised an explanation later.

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