The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 258

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 258: Heat**

**Gavin’s POV**

My instincts surged ahead of my thoughts, propelling me forward with an urgency I couldn’t ignore. It felt as though my body had a direct line to Judy, guiding me through the house and down into the depths of the basement. The air was thick with her scent, unmistakably potent, and as I reached the bottom, the reason for its intensity became painfully clear. My wolf was restless, thrumming with a primal need that I struggled to contain.

She was in heat.

There she lay, vulnerable and exposed, curled up on the cold concrete floor of the cage, whimpering softly as if in agony. Her clothes were tattered, but thankfully, they still offered some semblance of modesty. I could see the flush on her cheeks, the way her eyes fluttered shut, lost in a haze of desire. She rubbed her legs together, panting, her bottom lip caught between her teeth—a sight that sent electric shocks of longing straight to my core. My wolf howled in my mind, desperate for a taste of her, and I fought with every ounce of willpower to keep him at bay.

If any other unmated males were to catch a whiff of her intoxicating scent, I feared they wouldn’t be able to control themselves.

I stepped into the cage, and the moment her eyes opened, I was met with a whirlwind of lust and desperation reflected in her gaze. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as she focused on me, and I couldn’t tell if she recognized who I was. All she seemed to know was that I was a male, and in her current state, I could provide the relief she craved. Those under the influence of such potent aphrodisiacs often lost sight of everything except their immediate desires.

“Please…” she rasped, her voice hoarse as she reached out for me, her fingers grasping at the air. “I need you…”

My heart raced as I noticed the moisture glistening between her inner thighs, a clear indication of her arousal that made my wolf roar with hunger. She tugged at her already torn shirt, ripping it further to reveal her pink, erect nipples, and I felt a low growl rumble from my throat, a sound of both warning and desire.

“It’s so hot…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Please…”

I took a deep, steadying breath, forcing myself to think clearly as I sent a mindlink to Taylor.

“I need you to prepare the car and send all unmated Gammas far away from here, immediately,” I instructed, my voice firm but laced with urgency.

“What’s going on?” Taylor inquired, concern evident in his tone.

My gaze remained fixed on Judy, her need almost palpable. “She’s in heat.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice low, a knot of tension tightening in my chest.

Fortunately, Taylor was mated, which eased my worries about him. A couple of other Gammas were also bound, but the unmated ones would turn into wild beasts at the scent of an unmated she-wolf in such a state. I needed to ensure they were kept at a respectable distance before I could safely bring Judy back to the surface and out of this hellhole.

“They’re leaving now,” Taylor confirmed. “The mated Gammas are staying behind to secure the area. The ones who chased off the rogues are on their way back to the pack.”

“Alright, we’re coming up,” I told him, cutting off the link and turning my full attention back to Judy. She was clutching at my ankle, her eyes glazed and filled with a desperate need that made my heart race. I was completely naked, having shifted here in my wolf form. Among shifters, nudity was hardly an issue, but the evidence of my arousal was unmistakable, and I loathed that she could see it so clearly.

Her gaze was locked on my erect cock, and I could see her tongue dart out to lick her lips, as if I were the most delectable treat she had ever laid eyes on.

Touching her would be a torment, yet I knew I had to get her to safety first.

“Come on,” I murmured, bending down to scoop her up in my arms. Her skin was warm against mine, igniting a fire within me that I hadn’t felt in ages. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her soft body against my chest, a breathy moan escaping her lips that sent shivers down my spine.

“I want you…” she breathed against my ear, her words igniting a blaze of longing deep within me. “Take me…”

“You’ve been drugged,” I reminded her, my voice steady, though my resolve was beginning to waver. “I won’t take advantage of you, Judy.”

I felt her lips brush against the nape of my neck, and I let out a shaky breath, struggling to maintain control. I guided her into the bathroom, sitting her on the counter while I turned on the cold water in the bathtub.

She perched there, eyes closed, her body flushed with desire, her breasts on display, and her hardened nipples begging for my touch. A low growl escaped my lips before I could stop it. Judy opened her eyes slightly, a small smile dancing on her lips, and I felt my resolve crumbling.

“Gavin…” she whispered, reaching for my arm and pulling me closer. I was losing my grip on restraint, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold back.

“You were drugged,” I reminded her, my fingers tracing the nape of her neck, holding her shoulders gently. “I won’t take advantage of you…”

“Please…” she implored, biting her lower lip, drawing my attention to her swollen, inviting lips. “I need you…”

She nipped at my lip, and in that moment, my composure shattered completely. I crashed my mouth against hers, taking what I had been yearning for. My tongue slipped between her lips, exploring her mouth with a hunger that felt primal and overwhelming. The wolf within me was nearly feral with need, as if I were the one in heat. My body pressed against hers, and she fit against me perfectly, a puzzle piece I never knew I needed.

A soft moan escaped her lips as she deepened the kiss, craving even more closeness. I lifted her into my arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist, her core rubbing against me through the fabric of her shorts. I could feel her desires against my skin, slick and warm, driving me wild.

I captured her bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling gently, making it swell even more. I needed her… right here, right now.

I trailed my lips down her neck, nibbling and sucking, marking every inch of her skin as if claiming her for myself.

She panted, moaning my name as I lowered her down, our lips crashing together once more.

Then, as the cold water splashed against her heated skin, she yelped, breaking the moment with a gasp.