Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 68

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

I stole a glance at Devon, who sat across from me, his enhanced hearing picking up every nuance of our conversation. His expression was one of quiet support, a small nod of encouragement that spoke volumes.

“I’ll be there,” I assured him, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside me.

As soon as I ended the call, Devon’s concern spilled over. “You shouldn’t go alone,” he said, the intensity in his gaze piercing through my resolve.

“I need to confront her on my own,” I insisted, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my chest.

“You deserve to reclaim what’s rightfully yours,” he replied, the fire in his eyes unwavering. “But I won’t let you face them alone. Jason will be nearby.”

“Let Aiden come with me,” I suggested, my mind racing. “He understands my style better.”

Café Laurent was an exquisite place, a blend of elegance and charm, with outdoor seating that overlooked a picturesque plaza bustling with life. As I stepped inside, my gaze immediately landed on Audrey. The resemblance to my mother was striking, yet Audrey’s shorter blonde hair and the hardened lines of her face told a different story—one of bitterness and unresolved conflict.

“Evelyn,” she greeted, her tone laced with icy politeness as I took my seat across from her. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“Yet here I am,” I replied, mirroring her cool demeanor, my heart racing beneath the surface.

She stirred her coffee with deliberate slowness, as if contemplating her next move. “You should really stay out of matters that don’t concern you. You’ve been expelled for three years—there’s a reason for that. You have no right to involve yourself in the Gray family’s decisions now.”

“I’m still a Gray,” I reminded her, my voice firm, the truth of my lineage grounding me.

“A disgraced one,” she shot back, a thin smile curling her lips. “I am your mother’s sister. You should show me the respect I deserve and recognize the position I hold.”

“The only thing I’m interested in is reclaiming what belongs to me—my grandmother’s assets that Jonathan has been siphoning into your accounts for years,” I said, my determination flaring.

Her smile vanished, replaced by a mask of hostility. “You have no proof of that.”

“Don’t I?” I raised an eyebrow, the challenge hanging between us.

“A white wolf freak who can’t control her nature doesn’t deserve anything from the Gray family,” she hissed, malice radiating from her narrowed eyes.

A cold smile crept across my face. “I never said anything about telling Jonathan.”

Suddenly, Audrey’s phone pinged with a notification, her hands shaking as she checked it. The color drained from her face as she absorbed the news. “My accounts… they’re frozen.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ethan entering the café, his expression dark with fury when he caught sight of us. He stormed over to our table, a storm brewing in his eyes.

“You played us,” he growled, looming over me with a menacing presence.

“Like you played me all these years,” I replied, standing slowly, unflinching as I met his gaze.

Ethan’s eyes flickered with a flash of yellow as he lunged toward me, but before he could reach me, a figure stepped in front of me. Aiden, no longer lurking in the shadows, stood protectively in my way, the silver glint of a knife in his hand freezing Ethan in his tracks.

“Don’t,” Aiden warned quietly, his voice low yet firm.

I gathered my belongings with calm precision, then paused beside Ethan, my voice steady. “You underestimated me, Ethan. That was your biggest mistake.”