The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 183

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 183: The Results Are In**

In the quiet recesses of his mind, Alexander felt a wave of relief wash over him as he reflected on Evelyn’s training. It was a comforting thought to know that her skills were steadily improving. He had listened intently to her enthusiastic recounts of each session, and his conversations with Erik and Thomas had only served to bolster his satisfaction.

With one worry lifted from his shoulders, Alexander’s thoughts inevitably drifted to a far more troubling matter—the King.

The impending results from the tests on the Hemlock, along with the revelations from Isabella’s chaotic laboratory, loomed over him like a dark cloud. The case they had meticulously built against Isabella and Fiona was nearly airtight; yet, the specter of Gregory still haunted him. The weight of the evidence he had been compiling against the King stretched back several years. It was during Caroline’s burgeoning interest in politics that he had first begun to keep a close eye on Gregory’s movements.

Alexander understood that he had to navigate this treacherous terrain with utmost cunning. He had assembled a discreet team, trained specifically to blend into the bustling crowds outside the palace. Their mission was to shadow the King’s every move, gathering information that could potentially expose his nefarious dealings.

Despite his efforts, Alexander had yet to capture any solid evidence that could be presented to the public. This was crucial; he needed to incite doubt among the populace regarding the Royal family’s integrity. But how could he orchestrate such a shift in perception?

Before Evelyn had entered the picture, he and Oliver had spent countless sleepless nights brainstorming strategies, dissecting every possible angle. Now, with his secret out in the open, Oliver had been quick to caution him about the King’s potential retaliatory actions.

“We must remain vigilant,” Oliver advised, his tone grave. “The King is undoubtedly furious that you managed to escape that car accident unscathed.”

Oliver’s words struck a chord with Alexander. Gregory was nothing if not relentless, and with Caroline whispering poison into his ear, the King’s next move was unpredictable.

One step at a time…

To stave off the creeping paranoia that threatened to engulf him, Alexander shifted his focus to Fiona and Isabella. It struck him as odd that he hadn’t received any updates from either of them. In a way, he felt a twinge of gratitude that they were wise enough not to attempt to talk their way out of the mess they had created.

Isabella, with her penchant for manipulation, would typically have tried to charm her way out of trouble. Yet, it was clear she was adhering to the constraints he had imposed on Liam’s pack.

Fiona, however, was a different conundrum entirely. Her whereabouts remained a mystery, and that unsettled him. Given her history and the choices she had made, he suspected she was likely holed up with Caroline.

He could almost envision Caroline eagerly filling Fiona in on everything Evelyn had disclosed during their meeting at the palace. It was entirely plausible that Fiona was now aware of the case against her and the critical piece of evidence they had inadvertently left behind.

Fiona was not the type to sit idly by, waiting for the inevitable consequences to descend upon her. Her fierce determination would soon lead her to make a reckless choice, one that could cost her dearly.

“Have you heard anything about Fiona?” he inquired, his voice tinged with concern as he addressed Oliver.

Oliver shook his head slowly, his brow furrowed in thought. “You noticed it too? It’s peculiar that she hasn’t attempted any last-ditch efforts. Surely, she must realize by now that we have the blade.”

Alexander suppressed a snort of disbelief, covering his mouth with his hand. He didn’t want to dwell on the possibility of Fiona making a rash move. If she had any sense, she would know to steer clear of trouble.

“That much, I’m certain,” he replied, his tone firm.

“The real question is whether she’s foolish enough to try and reclaim it,” Oliver remarked, his expression unreadable.

Unfortunately, Alexander had no definitive answer to that question.

Stepping into the training tent with a quiet determination, Alexander sought to observe his beloved Evelyn in action. The moment his eyes fell upon her on the mat, pride surged within him like a tidal wave.

This time, she was engaged in a sparring match with Erik, both wielding wooden training sticks. Erik was guiding her through techniques to sharpen her reflexes, and they moved with a fluidity that resembled a well-choreographed dance.

Evelyn showcased remarkable skill, managing to block most of Erik’s strikes, though a few advanced moves slipped past her defenses. Alexander felt a swell of admiration; it was as if she had been honing these skills for a lifetime.

In the midst of her graceful maneuvers, Evelyn caught sight of him, and her momentary distraction allowed Erik to land a strike on her shoulder.

Thwack!

“Ow!” she exclaimed, wincing at the impact.

Alexander winced in sympathy, stifling a chuckle behind his hand.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to be a distraction,” he said with a playful tone. “It appears your training is progressing splendidly. Erik, why don’t you take a breather? I’d like to step in for a bit.”

Erik nodded, stepping back with a respectful bow before exiting the tent. Alexander turned his full attention to Evelyn, his eyes smoldering with intensity.

“Drop the stick,” he instructed, a grin spreading across his face. “Let’s see what you’ve learned in hand-to-hand combat.”