The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 268

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 268: A Blooming Affair**

**Judy’s POV**

As the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, I stirred awake, momentarily disoriented, unsure of my surroundings. My eyes darted around the expansive room, taking in the lavish decor that hinted at luxury, and then I felt a gentle movement beside me. Turning my head, I was met with the sight of Gavin, peacefully asleep, his features soft and relaxed. Just the night before, after the Gala and our impulsive decision to “date”—whatever that truly meant—we had returned to his Villa, and the night had unfolded into something passionate and unforgettable.

The memory of our shared intimacy made my heart flutter, and I couldn’t help but feel warmth spread through me at the sight of him. We lay there, both of us still bare beneath the sheets, and my breath caught when his slight movements caused the covers to slip, exposing his sculpted abs. An overwhelming urge to trace my tongue along his body surged through me, but I bit down on the inside of my cheeks, scolding myself for such risqué thoughts.

Just as I was about to slip out of bed in search of my clothes, his hand shot out, wrapping around my wrist and halting my escape. I gasped, startled by the sudden contact, and looked into his eyes, now wide open and scrutinizing me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he drawled, his voice low and sultry, igniting a blush across my cheeks.

Before I could even process his question, he effortlessly pulled me closer, flipping us so that he was now hovering over me. I squealed in surprise, but my protest was silenced as his lips crashed onto mine, igniting a spark that sent my heart racing.

Even in the early hours of the morning, he tasted divine.

“Were you trying to sneak out?” he murmured against my lips, teasingly nibbling on my bottom lip.

“I have class,” I replied, pressing against his chest, though my resistance was half-hearted at best. “I really need to go, and I wanted to run home first for a quick shower.”

His brow arched in playful disbelief.

“I have a perfectly good shower right here,” he countered, planting a soft kiss on my lips. My cheeks burned as I melted into the warmth of his affection; it was a sensation I could never tire of.

“And change my clothes?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll have one of my maids raid Irene’s closet,” he replied, his lips trailing down the nape of my neck, sending delightful shivers coursing through me. “She isn’t home anyway.”

A thrill ran through me, and I couldn’t help but squirm beneath him, caught between the excitement and the desire to distract myself.

“Where is she?” I breathed, trying to shift the conversation.

“Is that really what you want to talk about right now?” he teased, nipping playfully at my shoulder. I squealed again, and to my surprise, his laughter filled the air as he flipped us back, putting me in a position where I straddled him.

Hearing him laugh was a rarity, and it was a sound I wanted to savor. It was light and carefree, a melody that made my heart swell.

“Haven’t you had enough of me last night, Alpha Landry?” I teased, leaning in to capture his lips with mine. He responded eagerly, deepening the kiss, his tongue brushing against my bottom lip until I finally gave in, parting my lips for him.

As he explored my mouth, a soft moan escaped me, and when he finally broke the kiss, it felt far too soon, leaving me yearning for more.

“When I’ve had enough of you, I promise you’ll know,” he said, his kisses trailing down my neck, igniting a fire within me.

The mere thought of him ever losing interest in me stirred an unsettling feeling deep in my gut, but I pushed it down, forcing a smile as I patted his chest.

“I really need to get dressed,” I insisted.

With a resigned sigh, he released me.

“Fine,” he murmured, his tone playful yet firm. “But I’m showering with you.”

“Wha—” The protest barely escaped my lips before he hoisted me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, carrying me toward the bathroom as I squealed in surprise.

“You have to tell me about the Gala!” Nan exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as we met in the student lounge on campus. After enduring two grueling morning classes on only a few hours of sleep, the sight of the steaming coffee on the table felt like a divine blessing.

“You’re a saint,” I declared, snatching the cup and bringing it to my lips, savoring the warmth.

She beamed at me, clearly pleased. “I had a feeling you’d need it. Galas tend to run late,” she said as I settled beside her. “So, spill the details.”

“It started off fine,” I began, taking a cautious sip of the coffee, trying to gather my thoughts. “But then things took a turn for the worse.”

Her expression shifted, concern etching itself into her features as she locked eyes with me. “What do you mean by that?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

I sighed deeply, contemplating how much to reveal. Should I confide in her about Walter? Or should I include everything concerning Gavin? She was my best friend, and I hated the thought of keeping secrets from her.

But Gavin had asked me to keep quiet, and I had to respect his wishes.

“Walter asked me to be his girlfriend,” I finally admitted, watching as her eyes widened in surprise.

“What? That’s incredible, Judy!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm. But then her expression soured, and she narrowed her eyes at me. “You don’t seem happy about it.”

“Okay, but we aren’t done with this conversation!” she called after me, but I waved her off, not daring to look back as I hurried to my next class.

By the time my last class ended, I was drenched in sweat and utterly drained. A part of me felt relieved not to run into Nan as I made my way to the front of the school. Just as I reached for my phone to call an Uber, a car pulled up in front of me, halting me in my tracks.

The back window rolled down, and there was Gavin, a smirk playing on his lips. “Get in,” he commanded, his voice firm yet enticing.

I hesitated, glancing around to ensure no one was watching, the weight of my surroundings pressing down on me.

“Don’t make me beg,” he murmured, his tone low and inviting. “Get in the car.”

My heart raced at his words, but I complied, sliding into the passenger seat. Before I could even fasten my seatbelt, he was pulling me close, capturing my lips in a sweet, passionate kiss that sent sparks flying.

**Third Person POV**

Weeks had slipped by since the Gala, and Irene was a whirlwind of emotions. Ethan struggled to keep her grounded.

“I can’t believe he just left without a word!” she lamented one night, curling up in bed beside Ethan, her voice tinged with despair. “He literally left the country and didn’t say anything!”

“I’m sure there was an emergency,” Ethan replied, sighing as he tried to offer comfort. “He’ll call you when he’s ready.”

This had become their routine; she would cry over her cousin’s abrupt departure, and Ethan would do his best to console her. Yet, his thoughts were far from her. They lingered on Judy, who had been radiating a newfound glow these past few weeks.

Every time he saw her, she was either with Gavin or training with Matthew, and he would often catch Gavin sitting off to the side, watching her with an intensity that made Ethan uneasy. He noticed the fleeting glances Judy would cast toward Gavin, the blush that crept onto her cheeks, and the way Gavin’s lips curled into a smirk whenever their eyes met.

Sometimes, he would catch them whispering to one another, but the moment they noticed him nearby, they would break apart, reverting to discussing only business matters. It left a gnawing feeling in Ethan’s gut as he observed their chemistry.

Later that evening, Ethan planned to take Irene out on a date to distract her from Walter’s betrayal, but he froze when he spotted Gavin and Judy in a secluded corner near the back doors. It was evident she had just finished her training and was preparing to leave.

Gavin smiled down at her, and Ethan’s heart sank as he watched Gavin tuck a stray strand of hair behind Judy’s ear—a seemingly innocent gesture, yet it felt so intimate.

Had Judy truly moved on already?

Even worse… had she moved on with Irene’s father?