The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 272

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**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 272: Disrespect**

**Judy’s POV**

“And who do you think you are?” Meredith’s voice sliced through the air, her brows arching in disdain as she scrutinized the man who stood confidently behind me.

“This is a private party,” Sophia interjected, her tone dripping with condescension. “You weren’t invited.”

Meredith scoffed, her eyes rolling dramatically. “This is a pack party, and you are not pack.”

Kelsey, ever the provocateur, chimed in, “He’s handsome though. Maybe he should stay.” Her flirtatious tone made my stomach churn, and I had to suppress the primal urge to growl at her.

Just then, a warm hand settled on my shoulder, and I felt an immediate wave of calm wash over me. It was as if that touch had the power to dissolve the tension coiling within me, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Are you okay?” Gavin’s voice was low and filled with concern as I glanced up at him. His eyes were searching mine, and I could see the worry etched on his face.

I nodded, even though my heart felt like a heavy stone in my chest.

“Oh, please,” Kelsey laughed, her voice mocking. “Don’t tell me you brought a callboy to the pack barbeque. That’s a new low even for you.”

“You seriously had to hire someone to be your date this evening?” Meredith added, shaking her head in disapproval. “That’s truly disgusting.”

“Pardon?” Gavin’s brows shot up in disbelief, his expression shifting from concern to incredulity.

Gavin was dressed casually tonight, and it made my heart flutter unexpectedly. He looked so different without his usual suit, yet still undeniably handsome. I realized he hadn’t been in the media spotlight lately, which might explain why no one recognized him at first. I remained silent, unsure of how to respond, as I watched Ethan’s family make fools of themselves.

Gavin’s lips formed a deep frown as he observed the Cash family and their appalling treatment of me.

“I can’t believe she even bothered to show up at all… but with a male prostitute?” Sophia’s lip curled in disgust as she glared at me. “You are a shameless woman!”

“Is this how you treat your guests?” Gavin’s voice was low, but it carried a weight that made the air around us feel charged. “With this much disrespect? Who’s responsible for the wine on her clothes?”

“It’s honestly fine,” I interjected, gripping his arm tightly. “I think it was a mistake to come here. I would like to leave now.”

“Not until I find out who’s responsible for this,” he insisted, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, sending warmth flooding to my cheeks.

“She deserved it after what she said to me,” Kelsey shot back, folding her arms defiantly across her chest. “I bet you didn’t know she was engaged to marry my brother. He didn’t want her, just like her birth parents didn’t want her. You are wasting your time with this one, sir. She’s an abandoned orphan, and nobody in their right mind would ever want her. I’m glad my brother came to his senses. You should come to yours soon too.”

“Is that right?” Gavin’s voice turned icy, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the intensity of his glare.

“How much is she paying you to be here?” Kelsey continued her flirtation, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll pay you double if you come with me right now.”

“Kelsey Cash!” Meredith chastised, though a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. “You are only 18, and this man is old enough to be your father. You aren’t as shameless as Judy here. You don’t need to pay anyone to be your escort.”

“Oh, but mother. Look at him; he’s so hot,” Kelsey cooed, her voice dripping with allure. “He can do so much better than that bitch. Her family is broke; if she promised you any kind of money, I promise you’ll never see it. But I can offer you cash up front.”

“And you believe I need your money?” Gavin replied, incredulous.

“Look, I don’t know who you think you are,” Meredith interjected, glaring at Gavin as if he were nothing more than a pesky insect beneath her shoe. “But this is a family matter.”

“There is wine on her clothes; what part of that was the discussion?” Gavin shot back, his aura darkening with each passing moment. I was astonished that Ethan’s family hadn’t noticed the shift in his demeanor, but the tension in the air was palpable, and I knew he was struggling to maintain his composure.

“She was disrespectful towards our family,” Meredith said, narrowing her eyes at me, her disdain evident.

“It seems to me that you are the ones who are disrespectful,” Gavin replied through clenched teeth. He was teetering on the edge of rage, and I desperately wanted to escape before everything erupted. I tried to step away, but his grip on my shoulder tightened, keeping me anchored in place before him.

Meredith pursed her lips, pointing a long finger at him as she said, “Look, sir… I don’t know who you think you are, but—”

“Daddy?” Irene’s voice cut through the tension as she stepped around the women, her wide eyes searching her father’s face. “W…what are you doing here?”

The color drained from Meredith’s face as she stared at Irene, then back at Gavin. Kelsey’s eyes widened in shock, and Sophia staggered backward, her breath hitching. The three women were momentarily rendered speechless, their earlier bravado evaporating in an instant.

“I was invited,” Gavin replied, his gaze locking onto Irene’s. “I thought I would pay some respect to my daughter’s future family members, but when I got here, I wasn’t feeling very welcomed.”

His eyes returned to Meredith, and she looked utterly horrified.

“I… I’m so sorry,” Meredith stammered, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Mr. Landry, I—”

“It’s Alpha to you,” he growled, his eyes glowing a fierce yellow as his wolf surged forward, demanding respect. “Only those I respect can speak my name, whether it is first or last. And as of right now, I don’t respect any of you.”

“Daddy!” Irene gasped, rushing to his side, her small frame trembling. “Don’t be rude to Ethan’s family.”

“I’m not the one being rude,” he shot back, his voice low and strained.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Sophia stammered, her voice hoarse with fear. “We didn’t know who you were.”

“And that makes it okay?” Gavin challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Do you call every gentleman that walks through the door a callboy? Or just me?”

Irene inhaled sharply, glancing between Sophia and Ethan’s mother, who was now bowing her head, visibly trembling. Kelsey looked as if she might be ill.

“I’m glad I came here when I did because who knows how much worse things could have gotten,” Gavin said, his lip curling in disgust as he surveyed the scene.