The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 139

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed

**Chapter 139: Against My Will**

[Third-Person’s POV]

Alexander found himself at a loss, grappling with the question of how to soothe Evelyn’s frayed nerves. He had made numerous attempts, each one more earnest than the last, suggesting that she recline on the plush bed or the inviting couch, allowing him to nestle between her enticing thighs. The thought alone sent a thrill through him; he could never tire of the exquisite taste of her skin.

“I can assure you, Evelyn, that it will melt away every worry and shred of tension you’re feeling,” he said, flashing a charming grin that he hoped would entice her.

Yet, to his dismay, Evelyn seemed utterly uninterested in his playful proposal.

“I wouldn’t be feeling this tension at all if you would just let me skip this ridiculous evening,” she retorted, her tone laced with bitterness.

Her gaze barely flickered in his direction as she tugged her dress over her body with a certain roughness, then stormed into the bathroom. She needed to do something with her hair, and applying a touch of makeup seemed like a sensible distraction.

Deep down, she was aware that her behavior was bordering on juvenile.

You’re no better than Samantha if you keep acting like this…

A horrifying realization struck her, and she gasped, the sound escaping her throat like a frightened whisper. Oh, good God—no!

The items she had been holding slipped from her fingers, crashing onto the counter with a loud clatter that echoed in the small space. She buried her face in her hands, inhaling several deep, shaky breaths to steady herself.

Evelyn was not her stepsister. She refused to be defined by self-pity or to seek attention through her appearance. She was not an overindulged child who pouted and whined!

She needed to regain her composure. Yes, the mere thought of returning to that dreadful house was something she had never envisioned herself doing. But Alexander had a valid point; declining the invitation would reflect poorly on both of them.

Yet, an unsettling feeling gnawed at her, a persistent whisper in her mind that something was amiss. Isabella had a knack for deception; she was crafty in ways that could easily ensnare the unsuspecting.

The only silver lining in this entire predicament was that their presence was only required for the evening. Evelyn had no intention of lingering longer than necessary.

“Evelyn.”

His voice reached her from the doorway, and she slowly raised her head to meet his concerned gaze.

“Why won’t you trust me when I say that everything will be alright?” he pressed, his expression earnest.

“Because you can’t make promises like that when you know the people we’re meeting tonight are absolutely insane!” she shot back, her voice rising with frustration.

She pressed a hand against her chest in a futile attempt to ease the tight knot of anxiety that twisted around her heart—a chaotic blend of fear, anger, and hatred. Besides the staff and her unconscious brother, there was not a single soul she could rely on in that hellish house.

Evelyn fought against the tempest of emotions threatening to consume her, aware that surrendering to them would only lead to utter exhaustion.

“Something feels off about tonight,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She tore her gaze away from him, refocusing on the task of taming her hair. “I can’t pinpoint it, but I know something’s not right.”

“I honestly don’t believe Isabella would dare to make a move with both Leonard and me around,” he reassured her, attempting to instill a sense of calm.

“You and I both know my father doesn’t care about me or my brother,” she replied dryly, her voice tinged with bitterness. “The only individuals he seems to hold in any regard are you or the Alpha King.”

“Evelyn,” he greeted, a forced smile plastered on his face. “It’s lovely to see you.”

She felt an immediate unease at the smile he wore, and she could sense Alexander’s tension beside her.

“Hello, Liam,” she replied, her tone curt.

“I’ve been wanting to talk to you for what feels like forever,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. “You’ve become rather elusive.”

“I honestly can’t fathom why you’d want to reach out to me,” she replied, her irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.

Liam snorted, taking another swig of his drink. “Surely, you can spare me a few precious minutes of your time.”

“You know what? Actually, I can’t,” she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Now is not a good time. So, if you could excuse me…”

Alexander watched the entire exchange unfold, his mind racing with questions. With the exception of Michael, he had never witnessed Evelyn harbor such hostility toward anyone before. It piqued his curiosity about who this Liam was and what connection he had to his Luna.

Liam was clearly intoxicated. Given that he was married to Samantha, who was notoriously difficult, Alexander could almost feel a twinge of pity for the man. However, he didn’t know him well enough to make any definitive judgments.

Clearly, he had crossed some line because Evelyn looked ready to deliver a swift punch for merely addressing her.

The air was thick with tension. Yet, the only one oblivious to it all was Leonard, who had turned his attention to Alexander, peppering him with questions about his trading methods.

Evelyn squeezed her husband’s hand gently, signaling that she would be back shortly. She was determined to find her brother amidst the chaos of the evening.