The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 291

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 291: Truth Bomb**

**Judy’s POV**

If Judy had been cradling her coffee cup when I let the news slip, I had no doubt it would have shattered on the floor. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and shock, her jaw dropping as she locked eyes with me, her pupils dilating in alarm. The weight of my secret felt like a heavy stone in my stomach, and I regretted keeping this part of my life hidden from her for so long. Now, as I prepared to unveil the truth, I could only hope she wouldn’t harbor any resentment for my silence.

“I’m sorry, but I think I must have misheard you,” she said, squinting at me as if trying to decipher a riddle. “What did you just say?”

I felt a lump form in my throat, a tightness that made it hard to breathe. I took a moment to sip my own coffee, letting the warmth fill me before I set the cup down with a soft clink on the table.

“No, you heard me just fine,” I replied, my gaze fixed on the table rather than meeting her incredulous stare. “I moved in with Alpha Gavin Landry.”

“How…? What…?” Her voice faltered, each word tumbling out in confusion as she struggled to grasp the enormity of my revelation. I couldn’t fault her for it; I was certain this was the last thing she expected to hear.

“Okay, before I dive into the details, just promise me you won’t be mad about my secrecy,” I said, my tone earnest as I searched her face for any sign of understanding.

She regarded me with a cautious expression, her arms crossing defensively over her chest as she leaned back in her chair.

“Have you been seeing him?” she asked, her eyes narrowing, suspicion creeping into her voice.

I flinched at her words, feeling the tension rise in the air between us. Her question caught me off guard, and I could sense the storm of emotions brewing within her.

“It’s… more complicated than that,” I confessed, my heart racing as I braced myself for her reaction.

“Complicated how, Judy?” She pressed, her patience wearing thin as she leaned forward, eager for clarity.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the truth.

“I’ve been working at his villa for a few months now,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, and I could see the gears turning in her mind.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“That kid I was tutoring… it’s his son,” I rushed to explain, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I’ve been tutoring his son.”

Her brows knitted together in confusion, and she shook her head slowly.

“Alpha Landry doesn’t have a son,” she stated firmly. “He has a daughter, but I’m sure you already know that.”

“He does have a son,” I insisted, my voice gaining a hint of urgency. “He’s just kept him out of the public eye. The boy goes to a private school, and I think only the pack knows he exists. It’s been a well-guarded secret.”

“Why would he keep his son a secret?” Nan asked, her frown deepening as she processed this new information.

“He’s only seven,” I shrugged, trying to justify the situation. “Maybe he wants to protect Matt from all the pack drama.”

“Matt?”

“His son,” I clarified, feeling the need to keep things straightforward.

She nodded, her expression thoughtful as she took a sip of her coffee, clearly weighing the implications of my words.

“And you’ve been tutoring him?” She asked after a brief pause, her curiosity piqued.

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief as I confirmed it.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steadying.

“And that’s how you got so close to Gavin?”

I nodded again, biting my bottom lip as I contemplated how to navigate the next part of the conversation.

“Then, our relationship kind of… evolved,” I admitted, heat rising to my cheeks as I spoke.

Her eyebrows shot up, and she leaned closer, her eyes narrowing with intrigue.

“What do you mean it evolved?” she asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“Well, we kind of…” I trailed off, my face burning as I realized I didn’t need to finish that sentence. The shocked gasp that escaped her lips confirmed that she understood perfectly.

“Oh, my Goddess!” she exclaimed, nearly shouting in disbelief. Thankfully, the coffee shop was mostly empty, but I still shushed her, glancing around to ensure we weren’t attracting unwanted attention. She lowered her voice, leaning in closer, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Are you dating him now?”

I shook my head, then shrugged, feeling a mix of emotions.

“I think it’s just casual,” I admitted, my voice barely above a murmur. “I mean… technically, he wanted to explore this whole thing. He mainly just wanted his mother off his back because she kept trying to set him up with someone he had no interest in. I’m kind of using him for the same reason… to get Ethan off my back. Ethan doesn’t know we’re seeing each other, but I think he suspects something is going on, and Gavin won’t let him near me, which is a plus.”

“Holy shit,” Nan breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. “Is it any good?”

I raised my eyebrows at her question, momentarily taken aback.

“Is what any good?”

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