The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 248

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 248: My Cousin Is A Pawn**

**Judy’s POV**

“This was such a delightful evening, Walter,” I remarked as we approached my front door. The glow of the porch light illuminated our path, ensuring we navigated the distance from the car to the entrance without a hitch. Above us, the moon was shrouded by thick, dark clouds, and a hint of rain lingered in the air, a gentle reminder of the changing weather.

As we reached the door, I hesitated, turning to face him fully. It was a rare occurrence for anyone to escort me to my front door; even Ethan, who had once occupied such a significant place in my heart, never showed that level of thoughtfulness. He would drop me off, offer a quick kiss in the car, and then drive off as I stepped inside. Gavin, too, would simply watch me enter before speeding away; there was no need for him to walk me to the door, after all. Our relationship was strictly professional—nothing more, nothing less.

A flush crept across my cheeks as I pondered the idea of Gavin walking me to the door. Would he lean in for a kiss if he did? Why was I even letting my mind wander down this path while on a date with someone else? The thought of kissing Gavin should not even cross my mind, especially not now.

I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel those thoughts, and glanced up at Walter, who was looking down at me with a warm smile.

“I’m really glad you had a good time,” he said, gently taking my hand in his. “Tonight has been quite memorable for me, too. You’ve truly made a wonderful impression on my first night here.”

His words made my heart flutter, and I couldn’t help but smile back, my lips curling up at the corners.

“I’m really happy to hear that,” I replied, biting my lower lip in a moment of coyness.

“Would you allow me the pleasure of taking you out again tomorrow?” he inquired, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I raised my eyebrows, mentally sifting through my plans for the next day. Classes occupied my morning, and later, I had to tutor Matt in the evening.

With a sigh, I finally confessed, “I have tutoring scheduled for tomorrow evening.”

“We can go after your tutoring session,” Walter suggested, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. “There’s a gallery I’d love to take you to.”

I frowned slightly, skepticism creeping into my mind. “At night?”

He nodded eagerly. “It’s an outdoor light gallery,” he explained, his excitement palpable. “I’ve been curious about it, and I thought maybe you’d want to join me?”

I pondered his invitation for a moment. Nan would absolutely want me to seize this opportunity, and the thought of telling her I had turned him down sent a shiver of dread through me. So, I nodded, my resolve strengthening.

“Okay,” I replied, my voice steady. “That sounds fantastic.”

His smile widened, revealing charming dimples that danced on his cheeks—so much like his uncle’s, though Walter’s features were softer, less rugged.

I needed to compose myself. I had to stop drawing comparisons between Walter and Gavin. Walter was his own person, distinct and separate from his uncle.

Before I could fully gather my thoughts, Walter leaned down, his face inches from mine.

Oh my goodness! He was going to kiss me!

Did I want him to? The question caught me off guard, swirling in my mind like a whirlwind. Was there enough interest in me to warrant a kiss? Was I truly ready for such a step?

In a moment of panic, I decided against it. Just as he leaned in, I turned my head at the last possible second. His lips brushed against my cheek, a soft, fleeting contact that sent a different kind of shiver down my spine. He frowned, realizing his intended target had moved, but he didn’t protest. Instead, he smiled and bowed his head slightly in my direction.

“Until tomorrow,” he said, his voice warm and inviting.

I nodded, watching him as he walked back to his car. Once he was safely inside, I sighed, turning away and unlocking the front door. Just as Gavin would have done, Walter waited until I was inside before driving off into the night.

These Landry men were truly going to be the death of me.

**Third Person POV**

“I’ve uncovered the information you were looking for, sir,” Max announced from the front seat, both men observing Judy as she entered her house.

“What is it?” Walter asked, a mix of trepidation and curiosity swelling within him. He felt an urge to know the truth, yet part of him wished to remain blissfully ignorant. To truly understand Judy and navigate his feelings, he needed to gather every scrap of knowledge about her past.

“She and Ethan Cash are fated mates,” Max revealed, causing Walter’s heart to plummet into his stomach. “They’ve known each other for quite a while, being part of the same pack, but they discovered their bond when Judy turned eighteen. They’ve been together for two years.”

Walter’s brow furrowed in confusion. “So, what happened? Why did they break up?”

It was uncommon for fated mates to part ways; such occurrences were almost unheard of among their kind. Wolves rarely abandoned their mates unless something catastrophic had occurred, or worse—death.

“He met your cousin,” Max murmured, his tone heavy with the weight of the revelation.

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