The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 307

**TITLE: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 307: Ethan’s Discovery**

**Third Person POV**

Ethan had been making a conscious effort to tread lightly around Irene ever since the harrowing moments when he nearly lost her. The weight of those experiences lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of how fragile their connection could be. With Judy back at the villa and tutoring Matt, Ethan found himself in a position where he could keep a watchful eye on Irene, though he felt the tension of his dual intentions pressing heavily upon him. He still harbored every reason to pursue Judy as a mistress, even while planning to marry Irene. Yet, he understood the importance of discretion; he needed to navigate this tangled web carefully to avoid arousing Irene’s suspicions.

From a distance, he observed her behavior, noting the peculiar changes that had taken root in her demeanor. Irene seemed on edge, her movements tinged with a nervous energy, as if she expected someone to leap out from the shadows at any moment. It was an unsettling sight. She had been avoiding Matt more than usual, and Judy, well, she was like a ghost to Irene—an entity to be shunned at all costs. Ethan could comprehend her aversion to Judy; after all, the revelation that Judy was his destined mate had cast a long shadow over their relationship. Despite his attempts to deflect blame onto Judy, insisting that she was still pursuing him and only working as Matt’s tutor to get closer, he knew it was a flimsy excuse. If Irene ever uncovered the truth, he had no doubt she would walk away from him.

Since learning of the bond between Ethan and Judy, Irene had grown distant, refraining from any intimate gestures. They hadn’t crossed that line yet, as Ethan had resolved to wait until after their marriage to consummate their relationship. However, the kisses they had shared previously now felt like distant memories. It had been nearly a week since the truth had come to light, and now, Irene wouldn’t even brush her fingers against his. He could sense her lingering hurt over the deception, despite his assurances that the blame lay squarely on Judy’s shoulders.

The villa buzzed with activity lately, the film crew bustling about, capturing scenes for their latest project. Irene had been trying to ingratiate herself with Skyla, perhaps in an effort to secure some favor, while Ethan endeavored to support his fiancée in her pursuits. He couldn’t quite grasp her obsession with setting her father up with Skyla, but he couldn’t deny that Skyla was stunning. It might even be interesting to have her as a stepmother, yet Irene’s fixation on the idea bordered on the obsessive.

Ethan had also noticed the absence of Irene’s father around the villa. His curiosity piqued, he wondered if it had anything to do with Skyla’s apparent interest in him.

“Where has your father been?” he inquired during one of their dinners, his tone casual yet probing. He had planned this dinner to demonstrate his affection for Irene, even if his feelings were not as genuine as he pretended.

She looked up, a small frown etching her features. “What do you mean?”

“He hasn’t spent much time at the villa lately. Just a bit when the film crew requires him,” he pointed out, his brow furrowing slightly. “Any idea where he might be?”

Irene shook her head, her shoulders lifting in a casual shrug. “Probably at his office. He’s a busy man, being the Lycan chairman and all.”

Ethan nodded, though a flicker of doubt sparked in his mind. Earlier that evening, he had strolled past Gavin’s office, hoping to discuss some pressing business regarding the Redmoon pack, only to be informed by his secretary that Gavin hadn’t been in for a couple of days. If he wasn’t in his office and he wasn’t at the villa, then where could he possibly be?

“Are you certain there’s nowhere else he could have gone?” Ethan pressed, scrutinizing Irene’s expression for any hint of the truth.

She paused, her brow furrowing as realization dawned. “Oh, he mentioned having some business in the north,” she replied, her tone casual. “We have another mansion there. It’s rarely used, but my father stays there when he has business in that area.”

Ethan nodded thoughtfully, mentally cataloging the information. He resolved to investigate that mansion later; perhaps he could confront Gavin directly. He knew it was probably a reckless idea to intrude on Alpha Gavin’s territory, but his curiosity was piqued. What kind of business could possibly require Gavin’s attention in the north?

After dinner, Ethan escorted Irene back to her home, promising to see her the following day. She nodded, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of contemplation.

Ethan noticed a flicker of sadness and concern in her eyes, which tugged at his heart. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and kissed her deeply. For a moment, she melted against him, her body relaxing under his embrace before he reluctantly pulled away.

“I love you, Irene,” he murmured softly, wanting her to hold onto those words.

She hesitated for a brief moment, uncertainty clouding her features, but eventually nodded, offering him a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“What??” Ethan growled, his eyes darting back to the mansion and then up to the window. “Are you telling me she could be living with Gavin Landry?”

“I’m not saying that at all!” Kelsey exclaimed, her voice rising. “Why would someone like her be living with Gavin Landry? I’m just saying his men escorted her out and took her somewhere. I’m assuming she’s with her friend.”

Ethan knew that contacting Nan for information would be futile, but the image of Judy in that window haunted him. If Kelsey’s words held any truth, it meant there was a real possibility that Judy was, in fact, living under the same roof as Gavin.

If Gavin had left in such a disheveled state, could there be something more between them?

His grip on the phone tightened, knuckles whitening as fury surged through him. Controlling his wolf was becoming increasingly difficult, and he felt the primal instincts clawing at the edges of his restraint.

“I don’t have any more information than that,” Kelsey continued, oblivious to the storm brewing within her brother.

Ethan didn’t need any further details; the implications of what Kelsey had shared were enough. Without uttering another word, he hung up the phone and slammed it onto the passenger seat, a surge of determination igniting within him.

He needed to extract Judy from that mansion before he lost her for good. The thought of involving Irene in this chaos filled him with dread; their past entanglements concerning Judy had nearly cost him Irene’s love. Yet, he might not have a choice. If Irene discovered that Judy was living there, playing the part of her father’s illicit secret, she would ensure that Judy never set foot in that mansion again.

A grin crept across Ethan’s face, a plan forming in his mind.

He knew exactly what he needed to do.