The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 234

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**

**Chapter 234: Get Out!**

**Judy’s POV**

“Return the favor?” I echoed, a heavy weight settling in the pit of my stomach. “What are you talking about?”

He cleared his throat, the sound reverberating in the tense air, and adjusted his posture. The warmth that had graced his features for most of the day vanished, replaced by a chilling demeanor that sent a shiver racing down my spine. Instinctively, I took a step back, desperate to create distance between us, unwilling to be ensnared by his presence any longer.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Judy,” he stated, his brows knitting together as he fixed his gaze on me. “I want you to be my mistress. Comply with my wishes, and I will ensure your mother is taken care of and that your father is home by nightfall.”

The very thought pierced my heart, bleeding out the remnants of affection I once held for the man I had loved more than anything in this world. There was a time when I would have moved mountains for him, but now, as I looked into his eyes, all I saw was a stranger—a man I could barely recognize. His eyes were frigid, devoid of the warmth I once adored; his lips were drawn tight, forming a thin line that spoke volumes of his resolve.

No matter how many times he reiterated his demands, I struggled to grasp the reality of his proposition. He wanted me—his destined mate—to accept the role of a mistress while he pledged himself to another woman. A woman who, in my heart, I believed deserved far better. Irene was a kind soul, and it was evident that her heart belonged to Ethan, perhaps even more than mine ever had. The realization stung, knowing that another woman held such deep feelings for my mate, but I also understood that hearts are often beyond reason, and hers yearned for him.

“How could you even ask me such a thing, Ethan?” My voice trembled, barely above a whisper. “Did our two years together truly mean nothing to you?”

For a fleeting moment, his expression softened, revealing a hint of the man I once knew.

“Of course, it meant something to me,” he replied, stepping closer, closing the distance between us. “That’s why I can’t let you go, Judy. You are my mate… you belong to me, and I will have you in whatever way I can. Wouldn’t you rather be with me in secret than not be with me at all? Think of your wolf. Do you want to end up like your mother?”

My wolf had been silent throughout our exchange, but I could feel her anguish as she absorbed Ethan’s words. She didn’t desire to be a mistress, but the thought of losing her mate was equally unbearable.

“And your wolf is okay with making his mate a mistress?” I challenged, narrowing my eyes, trying to pierce through the veil of his arrogance.

Ethan shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that only fueled my anger.

“He knows what needs to be done. That’s part of being an Alpha,” he replied, his voice dripping with casual indifference.

“You aren’t an Alpha yet,” I muttered, the words slipping out before I could stop myself.

“I carry the blood of an Alpha and possess the traits. Soon, thanks to Irene, the official title will be mine as well,” he said, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I rolled my eyes, disgust rising within me.

“You make me sick,” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.

He stepped closer, invading my space, and I felt the ground beneath me shift. I was too weary to retreat any further; his words had already knocked the breath from my lungs. All I could do was stare up at him, battling back the tears that threatened to spill.

“We’ve always been so good together, Judy. Don’t shatter what we have because you can’t see the bigger picture,” he murmured, his voice low as he reached out to touch my cheek.

As his fingers brushed against my skin, it felt as though they were searing my flesh. I recoiled instinctively, glaring at him with a fire ignited by my fury. The audacity of his actions, using my mother as leverage to manipulate me, was unforgivable. I was repulsed by him, and I knew I could never forgive him for the pain he had inflicted upon me and my family.

Clenching my fists at my sides, I took a bold step back, creating a barrier between us.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed through gritted teeth. “You have no right to lay a finger on me ever again!”

“You are mine, Judy!” he growled, reaching out to grasp my arm, but I flinched away, refusing to be caught in his web again.

“Correction, I was yours. You lost every right the moment you chose another woman. The moment you knelt before her and proposed in front of me. You didn’t even have the decency to tell me about her, Ethan. I had to discover the truth on my own, and I will never forgive you for what you have done—not only to me but to my family as well. I can’t prove it, but I know you were involved in my father’s business going under.”

A self-satisfied smirk danced across his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Exactly, you can’t prove anything,” he retorted, his tone dripping with arrogance as if he reveled in his own cunning. “It’s your word against mine, and we both know who everyone will believe.”

Just then, Ethan’s phone buzzed insistently in his pocket. It was not the first time it had interrupted our conversation, but he had ignored every call until now. He sighed, pulling his phone from his pocket and scowling at the screen. I thought, perhaps, he would finally respond, realizing the importance of the call.

But instead of answering, he shoved the device back into his pocket, letting it ring unanswered. The sound faded, and my frown deepened, frustration boiling within me.

“Why do you keep ignoring that person?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued despite the tension.

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