The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 288

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 288: Moving Into The Mansion**

*Judy’s POV*

As I pulled up to the mansion, a wave of anticipation washed over me, though I couldn’t quite articulate what I had expected. The grandeur of the place was breathtaking, almost rivaling Gavin’s villa. My eyes widened in awe as we approached the magnificent staircase that led up to the imposing front door, my heart racing with excitement and trepidation.

“This place is fully staffed,” Taylor informed me, his tone casual yet informative. “The only thing it lacks is a butler, but I don’t think you’ll miss one. Gavin has assigned Leroy to this mansion, so he’ll be around to drive you wherever you need. He has his own room with the staff, so you can count on him being here around the clock. And don’t worry, I’ll be popping in and out, as will Gavin.”

I nodded along, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety. The enormity of the situation was starting to settle in, and I could hardly believe I was stepping into this new chapter of my life.

“There are four maids here,” Taylor continued, his voice steady. “One of them is the head maid, and there’s a head chef with two kitchen aides. Each maid has a specific role; one handles laundry, another takes care of cleaning, and the third is for serving. The head maid oversees everything. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask her. Your belongings have already been moved to your room, including your cell phone.”

A wave of relief washed over me at the mention of my phone; I had left it behind in the Cash household, and the thought of needing to replace it had been gnawing at me.

“The maids have been working hard all morning to prepare your room and put everything away. It should be easy for you to find what you need. Your schoolwork is already on your desk, all organized,” Taylor added, surprising me even more.

“That’s incredibly thoughtful of you,” I replied sincerely. “Thank you for all of this.”

“Don’t thank me,” he said, glancing at me through the rear-view mirror, his expression serious yet friendly. “This was all arranged by Gavin. He wanted to make your transition as smooth as possible. I think he feels a bit guilty about everything that happened with Matt. He knows it wasn’t your fault, and the one responsible has faced the consequences.”

I nodded, already aware of Gavin’s sentiments from our earlier conversations.

“I really appreciate that,” I said, my gaze dropping to my hands, fidgeting slightly. “Will I be able to see Matt again?”

“Of course,” Taylor replied, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You won’t be escaping work that easily.”

“So, I still have a job?” I asked, my heart lifting at the thought. Gavin had mentioned it, but I needed reassurance.

“Absolutely,” Taylor confirmed. “Matt refuses to accept another tutor. You know he was willing to take the blame if it meant getting you back.”

“Wait, what?” I exclaimed, my brow furrowing in confusion.

“Before I learned the truth, Matt told Gavin that it was him who had put the peanut butter in the sandwich, claiming he forgot he was allergic,” Taylor chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

My eyes widened in shock as I processed his words.

“Are you serious?” I breathed, my heart fluttering. “He did that for me?”

“That boy practically worships you,” Taylor said, turning off the engine with a satisfied nod. “It would break his heart if you weren’t his tutor anymore.”

I nodded, biting my lower lip to suppress the smile that threatened to break free. I couldn’t fathom that Matt would go to such lengths for me. Of course, I would never let him take the blame; if I had known that he had sacrificed himself for my sake, I would have immediately told Gavin the truth. But thankfully, it hadn’t come to that.

“Come on,” Taylor said, stepping out of the car.

I followed him, my heart racing as I walked closely behind him into the mansion. The interior was just as stunning as the exterior, adorned with marble flooring and rustic designs that echoed the elegance of Gavin’s villa. It was clear he had a distinct taste that resonated throughout the space.

One thing struck me immediately: the entire mansion seemed to carry Gavin’s scent. Despite the myriad of other aromas—those of the staff and the delicious food wafting from the kitchen—his familiar fragrance enveloped me, providing a sense of comfort that soothed both me and my wolf.

As we entered, we were greeted by a warm smile from a middle-aged woman who stood about my height. Her curly brown hair was pulled back with a bandana, and unlike the formal uniforms of the Cash household, she wore a casual T-shirt and old jeans, exuding a relaxed charm.

“Hello,” she said sweetly, her voice inviting.

“Harper, this is Judy,” Taylor introduced, gesturing toward me. “Judy, this is Harper, the head maid. If you need anything at all, she’s your go-to.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of ease wash over me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I replied warmly.

“Likewise,” Harper said, her smile brightening. “I hope everything meets your expectations. If you’re feeling hungry, just let me know, and I’ll have the kitchen staff whip something up for you. Also, send me a list of your favorite foods, and I’ll ensure we’re stocked with all the ingredients.”

I smiled back, touched by her kindness.

“The closet has all your clothes,” Harper said as I stepped out of the bathroom, her tone upbeat. She had opened the door to a walk-in closet, and I leaned in to see it packed with my clothes, along with a few new additions that caught my eye.

“Some of these aren’t mine,” I remarked, a hint of confusion in my voice.

She nodded, biting her lip slightly.

“Some of the clothes you brought to the Cash manor appeared deliberately damaged,” she confessed, her eyes apologetic.

A sigh escaped my lips as I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I knew it had to be Kelsey’s doing. I couldn’t pinpoint when she had invaded my space and ruined my clothes, but it had to have been recent, as I hadn’t noticed it before.

“So, I went shopping and picked up a few new outfits for you. I hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t find the exact duplicates, so I improvised,” she said, glancing up at me with a hopeful expression.

“You really didn’t have to do that,” I replied, my heart swelling with gratitude. “I would have managed without them. I could have replaced them myself.”

She shrugged, her demeanor relaxed.

“Gavin insisted I get you some new clothes; it was his money that was spent, so it’s really no trouble at all,” she reassured me.

I sighed again, torn between feeling grateful and feeling guilty. I didn’t want to appear ungrateful, so I simply thanked her once more.

“I hope everything is to your liking,” Harper said, glancing around the room as we stepped out of the closet.

“It’s absolutely perfect, Harper. Thank you,” I told her, my voice sincere.

She nodded, her expression brightening with satisfaction.

“If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can come find me, or you can call or text me on your phone. I took the liberty of adding my number to your contacts,” she said, pointing to my phone charging on the nightstand. Relief washed over me at the sight of it, and I smiled gratefully. “Unfortunately, we can’t mindlink since you aren’t officially part of this pack yet, but this will have to do for now.”

“We could change that,” a deep voice rumbled from the doorway, causing me to freeze instantly. “If you pledged yourself to me, that is.”