The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 232

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 232: Love At First Sight**

As the evening deepened, Irene found herself nestled on the couch, her body curled up in a tight ball, her gaze fixated on the glowing screen of her phone. Ethan had promised to call her at 8 PM, but now, as the clock struck 9:30 PM, the silence was deafening. She had attempted to reach him a half hour earlier, pressing the call button with a sense of urgency, but each attempt was met with an empty void; he didn’t pick up. A text message had been sent, too, but the little blue ticks that indicated it had been read never materialized.

This sudden disappearance was unlike Ethan. A wave of unease washed over her, twisting her stomach into knots, and a heavy weight settled in her chest, filling her with dread. She yearned for someone to confide in, to share her worries, but the truth was stark: she had no real friends. Sure, there were a few girls she occasionally spent time with, but Irene was wise enough to see through their motives. Most of them were drawn to her because she was Gavin Landry’s daughter, hoping to either gain something from her or to get closer to her father.

In her heart, she felt a pang of loneliness. The closest thing she had to a friend was Judy, yet she didn’t even possess Judy’s phone number. Doubts crept into her mind—did Judy even want to be friends with her? She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, as if trying to physically hold together the pieces of her anxious heart.

“Everything okay?” her father’s voice broke through her thoughts as he entered the room, clad in pajama bottoms and nothing else. It was a rare sight to see Gavin Landry so casually dressed; he was a man who typically donned a suit, even within the confines of their home, which he seldom roamed freely.

“I’m worried about Ethan,” she confessed, her eyes darting back to her phone as if it might magically ring. “He hasn’t called.”

Gavin huffed, a sound she recognized all too well—it was disapproval, plain and simple. It was no secret that he held a low opinion of Ethan, but Irene couldn’t fathom why. From the moment they had met, Ethan had treated her with nothing but kindness and respect.

She recalled the first time she had seen him, standing there in a sleek tuxedo, his dark curls framing his handsome face as he scanned the room at the Alpha banquet. The atmosphere was charged with tension, news of Alpha Carter’s demise echoing through the crowd, and all the available Alpha candidates had gathered, eager to impress Gavin Landry, the most powerful Lycan chairman in the world.

When Ethan’s eyes finally locked onto hers, it felt as though they were the only two souls in existence. Her heart raced, and even her wolf stirred within her, a soft purr of contentment resonating through her. There was an undeniable connection, an attraction that was palpable, and from the way Ethan smiled at her, she knew he felt it too.

He didn’t waste any time; he sauntered over and ordered her another glass of champagne. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, as if they had known each other for years. He didn’t once inquire about her father or even acknowledge him, as if the reason for his presence had slipped his mind entirely.

By the end of the night, he had asked for her number, and the following evening, he called her. They spoke until dawn broke, and Irene felt a spark within her that she had never experienced before. She longed to be with him, to explore the depths of this newfound connection. However, when she confided in her father about her feelings for Ethan, his response was far from supportive. His concerns echoed in her mind—he worried that Ethan might be using her, and his dislike for Ethan was evident, fueled by whispers from other packs.

In a moment of desperation, she had threatened to harm herself if her father didn’t give his blessing. Faced with the gravity of her words, Gavin had reluctantly relented. A month later, Ethan proposed, and Irene embraced the opportunity with open arms.

Now, as she sat beside her father on the couch, silence enveloped them, heavy and thick.

“When Mom was alive, did you love her?” she ventured, breaking the stillness.

Gavin’s expression shifted, surprise flickering across his features as he turned to face her, concern etched in his gaze.

“She was my fated mate, of course I loved her,” he replied, his voice steady and unwavering.

“I know she was your fated mate,” Irene said softly, her eyes cast downward, tracing the lines of her hands. “But that just means you were drawn together by your wolves. It doesn’t necessarily mean you had to love her, does it?”

“I loved her,” he insisted, the conviction in his voice leaving no room for doubt.

“But did you love her because of the bond, or was it from your heart?” she pressed, her curiosity driving her words.

“Why are you asking?” He narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his tone.

Irene bit her lip, pondering her response. The truth was, she wasn’t entirely sure why she needed to know. Perhaps it was to prove to herself that the mate bond wasn’t everything. Though she wasn’t mated to Ethan, she couldn’t shake the fear that if either of them found their true mates, they might choose them over each other. The idea sent a chill down her spine, and she would be lying if she said it didn’t terrify her.

She needed to understand if the mate bond could be resisted. If someone as formidable as Gavin Landry couldn’t fight it, what hope did she have?

“I guess I’m just trying to figure out how the mate bond works,” she murmured, fidgeting with her fingers, anxiety bubbling beneath the surface.

He sighed, leaning back against the couch as he contemplated her question.

“The bond is powerful,” he admitted, his voice reflective. “It’s probably the strongest thing you’ll ever experience. You think you can control it, but in reality, it’s your wolves that take charge. They make it impossible to stay away. But there’s also a part of you that craves that connection, to the point where it becomes almost unbearable. Resisting it only leads to misery for both you and your wolf.”

“Did you ever try to fight it?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

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