The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 256

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 256: Are They Awake?**

**Judy’s POV**

The night dragged on, each minute stretching into what felt like an eternity. I found myself trapped in a cage of despair, unable to devise any means of escape. Deep down, I harbored a flicker of hope that perhaps I could uncover a flaw in our prison or formulate a plan before dawn broke. The absence of windows rendered it impossible to gauge the passage of time, leaving me in a state of anxious limbo.

Irene, weary from her tears, leaned against me, her body succumbing to the exhaustion that followed her outpouring of grief. Despite the comfort of her presence, sleep eluded me. The night was a relentless torment, and as I lay there, every creak of the floorboards above us sent a jolt of dread through my body. I gently urged Irene to lie flat on the ground, positioning myself beside her, hoping against hope that if they believed we were asleep, they would leave us unharmed.

The malevolent force that had ensnared us wanted us to understand the gravity of our situation, to witness our fear, and to capture our reactions on film. I was resolute in my determination not to give them the satisfaction they craved. I closed my eyes, attempting to calm the frantic rhythm of my heart, willing myself to embrace a facade of tranquility.

As the minutes ticked by, the ominous footsteps drew nearer, and soon the heavy door to the basement creaked open. A pungent, foul scent filled the air, making my stomach churn. I strained to listen as their hushed voices echoed down the stairs, inching closer to our cage.

“Are they seriously still out?” one of the rogues grunted, his tone laced with irritation. “How much of that stuff did you give them?”

“Enough to knock them out for a few hours,” came the reply. “They should have been awake by now.”

“Do you think they are faking?” another voice chimed in, skepticism evident.

“Go in there and find out,” the first one commanded.

Panic surged through my veins as I realized they intended to invade our cage to discern whether we were truly unconscious. Irene was still asleep, and if she sensed their presence, she might awaken in a state of panic. My mind raced with dread at the thought of what they might do next.

The sound of the cage door unlocking sent a chill down my spine, and heavy footsteps approached. I felt cold fingers graze the nape of my neck, searching for a pulse.

“She’s alive,” the rogue’s voice was disturbingly close, causing me to stifle a shiver of revulsion.

I could feel his fingers trailing down my neck, brushing against my bare shoulders, igniting a fire of disgust within me.

“She’s a looker,” he rasped, his voice dripping with a twisted desire. “I could have a little fun with her before I kill her.”

“Maybe we could take turns,” another voice suggested from the shadows.

The urge to open my eyes and assess the situation was overwhelming, but I knew better than to expose myself just yet.

The rogue’s laughter sent a shiver of dread through me.

“Check the other one,” he instructed, his tone dismissive.

I held my breath, waiting for the rogue to examine Irene, praying he would leave us alone afterward. If only I could find a way to contact Gavin… Surely, he must have sensed something was amiss by now. We had been absent for hours, and I could only imagine the worry etched on his face, especially regarding Irene, his beloved daughter.

Doubt crept in; would he even care about me? But for Irene, I had faith he would come looking.

“She’s a pretty one too,” the rogue remarked, his voice sultry and lecherous. “We got a couple of lookers over here.”

Every ounce of restraint I had was tested as I fought the urge to spring into action. I could take him down easily if it weren’t for these damned cuffs binding my wrists. Each movement sent a jolt of pain through me, making any attempt at resistance feel futile.

Suddenly, to my horror, Irene stirred in her sleep.

“I think she’s awake,” the rogue shouted to the others, excitement lacing his voice.

“W…what’s going on?” I heard Irene mumble, her voice a fragile thread in the oppressive darkness.

My heart plummeted at her words.

“Yeah, she’s awake all right,” he confirmed, eagerness dripping from his tone. “Oh, this is going to be so much fun.”

“What? No! Get away from me!!” Irene screamed, her voice rising in panic as she scrambled away from their grasp.

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