Rise of the Banished She-Wolf (Evelyn) novel Chapter 99

**Where Falling Leaves Whisper Stories Written In Silence by Ryn Jace Reed**
**Chapter 99**

Evelyn

The hospital corridor was steeped in an eerie stillness as the clock struck three in the morning. I found myself perched on the edge of the chair beside Grandfather’s bed, my gaze fixed on the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. The machines around us beeped in a steady cadence, reassuring me that he was stable after the surgery. Yet, a dull throb pulsed on my cheek, a painful reminder of the encounter with Jonathan—I refused to let myself think of him as “father.”

Jason leaned casually against the doorframe, his silhouette cutting a strong figure in the dim light. “Miss Gray, I can take you home. You need to rest,” he offered, his voice laced with genuine concern.

I gingerly touched my cheek, wincing at the tenderness. “Is it really that obvious?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“The swelling’s getting worse,” he replied quietly, his eyes scanning my face. “Mr. Hall will definitely notice.”

That thought sent a shiver down my spine. Devon had enough burdens to shoulder with his own recovery; the last thing I wanted was to ignite his Alpha protectiveness over a family issue that was already spiraling out of control.

“Jason, please, you can’t tell Devon about what happened with the Grays. He has far too much on his plate as it is,” I pleaded, my heart racing with anxiety.

Jason hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly. “Miss Gray, you know I—”

“I’ll handle it,” I asserted, my voice firmer than I felt. “And I’m making arrangements for Grandfather to be transferred to a private facility. Jonathan won’t be able to harass him there.”

He nodded, albeit reluctantly. “As you wish. Shall we go?”

The ride back to my apartment felt interminable, the weight of the night pressing down on me. It was nearly four when Jason finally pulled up outside my building. The lights were off, and a wave of relief washed over me, grateful that the world inside had succumbed to slumber. I slipped inside, careful to remove my shoes at the door to avoid making a sound.

Without flicking on any lights, I navigated my way to the kitchen, my mind solely focused on finding ice for my throbbing cheek before the swelling escalated. The cool air from the refrigerator greeted me as I opened the door, illuminating the space just enough for me to grab some ice cubes and wrap them in a kitchen towel.

As I closed the refrigerator door, a deep voice broke the silence, sending a jolt of fear through me.

“Why are you sneaking around in the dark?”

The ice cubes slipped from my grasp, scattering across the floor as I spun around, losing my balance in the process. Strong arms caught me, and we both tumbled onto the couch, my body landing against Devon’s warm chest.

“Devon! I thought you were asleep,” I gasped, my heart racing from the surprise and the proximity.

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