The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 205

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 205: Ex’s Engagement Party**

**Judy’s POV**

This was meant to be a day of joy, a moment when my fated mate and I would finally solidify our bond through engagement. Yet, here I stood, a mere spectator to the heart-wrenching scene unfolding before me—Ethan, my mate, kissing another woman with a fervor that made my heart ache. The woman he embraced was not just any woman; she was the daughter of Gavin Landry, the powerful Lycan chairman, and marrying her could catapult Ethan into the role of future Alpha.

Just a few months prior, our Alpha had fallen in battle, and now every eligible candidate, including Ethan, was scrambling for the coveted position. The weight of the Lycan’s influence over the werewolf community was palpable, and Gavin’s endorsement could seal the fate of any contender.

In that moment, it became painfully clear: Ethan had made his choice.

Her, not me.

As I stood at the bar, a deep voice broke through my tumultuous thoughts. “Get me a whiskey and a martini for the lady,” he ordered, the tone rich and commanding. “Is it the future bride, or the future groom that’s got you in a mood?”

“I’m just not into parties,” I replied, trying to mask the turmoil within me.

“Nor am I,” he murmured back, his voice low. “I’m here out of obligation.”

The bartender slid my drink across the counter, and I took a long sip, letting the alcohol wash over me, seeking solace in its warmth. Each time I witnessed Ethan’s lips on hers, it felt as though a piece of my heart was being carved away.

How had everything spiraled into this? How could my destined mate betray me like this? Did our two years of love mean nothing? Was the mark on my neck just a hollow symbol to him?

“Thank you for the drink,” I managed to say to the bartender, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I prepared to leave the barstool, my blouse snagged on the edge of the counter. I heard a rip, and before I could react, I felt myself falling. I braced for impact, but instead, I was swept up into strong arms.

I opened my eyes to see a strikingly handsome man holding me effortlessly, as if I were weightless. His smile was charming, and a dimple appeared on his right cheek, making my heart flutter unexpectedly.

“Madam, are you falling for me?” he asked with a playful twinkle in his eye.

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re quite the jokester, aren’t you?”

He chuckled, but then his gaze fell to my shirt, and his expression shifted to concern. “Let me take you to my suite upstairs,” he suggested, and my heart raced at the implication.

“What?” I stammered, bewildered.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I was lost in their depth.

Goddess, he was breathtaking.

“Your shirt is ripped,” he explained gently. “I have a spare one you can wear in my VIP suite.”

I blinked in surprise, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. “Oh, um, alright. Thank you,” I replied, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and intrigue.

He turned to the bartender. “Charge our drinks to my suite,” he instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

Before I knew it, he was carrying me out of the room, and I found comfort resting my head against his broad chest, inhaling the fresh, minty scent that enveloped him. My wolf, who had been subdued all evening, began to stir, her purring a stark contrast to the heartache I had felt moments before.

Once we reached the suite, he set me down and commanded, “Take off your shirt.” He strode toward the closet, his back to me.

“Excuse me?” I squeaked, caught off guard.

“So you can change into a new one,” he clarified without turning around.

“Right,” I breathed, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks.

I lifted my ripped shirt over my head and tossed it onto the bed, leaving me clad only in my bra. When he finally turned around, his gaze froze on me, his eyes tracing my form. I was too busy admiring him to notice his intense scrutiny until I recognized him.

Suddenly, it hit me, and I gasped. “It’s you…”

His brow arched in curiosity. “You know me?”

“I know of you,” I corrected, my heart racing.

A smirk played on his lips as he approached, moving slowly, almost predatory. The sound of my heartbeat echoed in my ears.

“And what do you know about me?”

“Only what I’ve heard…” I admitted, feeling a thrill of fear and excitement.

“And what have you heard?”

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