The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 310

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 310: The Final Shoot**

**Gavin’s POV**

As I emerged from the steamy embrace of the shower, I reached for a towel, wrapping it snugly around my waist. The bathroom air was thick with the scent of soap and steam, and I relished the brief moment of solitude. However, stepping into the bedroom, I was met with an unsettling sight: the bed lay unmade, the sheets rumpled and twisted, and Judy was nowhere to be found. A frown creased my brow as I took in the disarray. Had she really slipped away without a word?

Hastily, I pulled on my clothes, my damp hair sticking to my forehead, but I didn’t care to fix it. I needed to find Judy. I hurried down the stairs, my heart racing with a mix of concern and irritation, only to come face to face with Harper, who rounded the corner with a look of surprise.

“Is Judy in the kitchen?” I asked, adjusting my shirt as I tried to shake off the unease that had settled in my gut.

Harper’s expression shifted to a frown, her eyes darting away momentarily. “No, Alpha. She mentioned something about needing to get to school early this morning and left,” she replied, her words halting my steps.

“She left?” I echoed, my voice low and edged with disbelief.

“Yes, sir,” Harper confirmed before turning on her heel and hurrying away. A low growl rumbled in my throat, frustration bubbling within me. How could Judy leave like that? No goodbye, no explanation. I couldn’t shake the nagging thought that she might have confided in Chester, that insufferable flirt. I had no idea why I tolerated him; he seemed more interested in charming the women around him than focusing on his work.

Yet, I had to admit—he was undeniably skilled in the kitchen. His culinary creations had always been a highlight of my visits to this part of the pack, but ever since Judy had moved in, things had changed.

As I stepped into the kitchen, the rich aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, instantly lifting my spirits. Chester stood behind the counter, expertly maneuvering pots and pans, his laughter mingling with the lighthearted banter of his kitchen aides.

I rolled my eyes, a familiar irritation rising. “Stop flirting with your coworkers,” I said, striding in, causing him to freeze mid-action.

When he turned to face me, a cheeky grin spread across his face. “Sorry, Alpha. I can’t help myself. Maybe you shouldn’t have hired such beautiful women to work for you,” he teased, winking at the staff, who giggled at his antics.

I sighed, fully aware of the effect he had on them; they practically melted in his presence. “I don’t pay you to flirt,” I replied, taking a seat at the counter. “I hired you to cook.”

“Can’t I do both?” he shot back playfully.

“Don’t you have something going on with Harper?” I inquired, narrowing my eyes at him. His expression shifted to one of surprise, and I could tell he hadn’t anticipated my knowledge of their entanglement. I prided myself on being aware of everything happening in my domain. I had seen the way Harper looked at him, and I wasn’t blind to the whispers I caught when passing by his room or the supply closet. And that hickey on Harper’s neck? Hard to miss.

“We’re friends with benefits,” he murmured, a hint of defensiveness in his tone. “She knows what this is…”

I didn’t buy it. The way Harper gazed at him spoke volumes; she was smitten, and he was likely to break her heart. It was only a matter of time before she couldn’t bear working alongside him anymore.

“This is why you don’t mess with your coworkers,” I muttered, shaking my head at him.

His awkwardness was palpable, but he kept quiet and returned to his cooking, plating the food with a flourish before sliding it across the counter toward me.

“Is Judy coming down soon?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

I frowned and shook my head, realizing he had no idea she had already left. “Nok, she left early this morning,” I replied.

He stared at me, confusion etched on his face. “Without any food? Why would she leave so quickly without even saying good morning to me? That doesn’t sound like her.”

“Harper said she was running late for school,” I explained, taking a bite of the delicious food. As much as I hated to admit it, Chester was a culinary genius.

“She spoke to Harper and not me?” Chester asked, sounding genuinely offended.

“Yes,” I confirmed. “She is her handmaiden after all. You’re just her chef. She doesn’t owe you a report.”

Chester crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at me. “Well, seeing as you got this information from Harper, I think it’s safe to say she didn’t tell you either, Alpha,” he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

I glanced up, momentarily amused despite myself. Normally, I would have put someone like him in their place for speaking to me so casually, but there was something about Chester that was oddly entertaining. I bit the inside of my cheek to suppress a smile, maintaining my glare instead.

After a moment, he cleared his throat, glancing at the sink piled high with dirty dishes. “I should probably clean those,” he said awkwardly.

“You think?” I shot back, my tone sharper than intended.

The moment his back was turned, I let my facade slip, chuckling softly and shaking my head.

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