The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 312

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 312: Unexpected Apology**

**Judy’s POV**

I found myself frozen in disbelief as I gazed at Ethan, his expression a storm of seriousness, and his eyes ablaze with fury directed solely at me. The grip he had on my wrist was unyielding, a painful reminder of his rage. In that moment, the adrenaline surged through me; I could easily overpower him, my training whispering promises of victory in my ear. Until now, I had refrained from using my strength against him, wanting to spare him the embarrassment of defeat. But enough was enough. He had crossed a line, and I was determined not to let him escape unscathed this time.

Just as I made my move to seize his arm, the unexpected happened. Ethan crumpled to the ground, blood streaming from his nose, and his grip on my wrist slackened instantly. I stumbled back, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. The sickening crunch of bone echoed in my ears, confirming what I already suspected: his nose was broken. A chorus of curses erupted from him as he writhed on the ground, clutching his face in agony.

My gaze shifted upwards, landing on Beta Taylor, who stood over Ethan like a sentinel, his expression fierce and protective. His fist, slightly reddened from the impact, was a testament to his swift intervention.

“Touch her again, and next time, it won’t just be your nose that’s broken,” he growled, his voice low and menacing as he loomed over Ethan.

I was still reeling from the shock of what had just transpired, my mind struggling to process the scene before me, until Beta Taylor turned his attention to me.

“Are you okay?” he inquired, his eyes scanning my face for signs of injury. I managed a nod, the fog of confusion slowly lifting from my mind.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in suspicion.

“I was instructed to come and pick you up. The paparazzi have been relentless, and the Alpha wanted someone he trusts to escort you through the crowd and to the villa,” he explained, his tone serious.

My brows shot up in surprise. “The paparazzi? What do they want from me?”

“They’re clamoring for details about your relationship with the Alpha,” Taylor replied, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You should see him running around all day, trying to get the stories pulled. He managed to chase the paparazzi off his property earlier, but they’re tenacious and keep reposting the articles, despite his efforts. Right now, they’re swarming the mansion you’ve been staying at.”

A heavy weight settled in my stomach. So, it was clear: returning home was not an option.

“You jerk,” Ethan muttered from the ground, still grappling with the pain.

Taylor merely rolled his eyes, dismissing him as if he were an annoying insect. He motioned for me to follow him, and I complied, my heart racing as we approached his waiting car. I slipped into the back seat, and Taylor took the front. Not once did we look back at Ethan as the car sped away, leaving him behind.

The moment we exited the campus grounds, my jaw nearly dropped in disbelief. Taylor hadn’t been exaggerating; the entire area was a frenzy of paparazzi. They swarmed like bees around the car, their cameras clicking incessantly in an attempt to capture a glimpse of me inside. Fortunately, the tinted windows shielded me from their prying eyes, but the sight of them straining to peer through the glass was unsettling, to say the least.

I was not accustomed to being in the spotlight, and this was all too surreal for me.

By the time we arrived at the villa, the paparazzi were far behind us, but I could still feel the remnants of their chaos lingering in the air. Extra guards were stationed outside the front gates, diligently keeping the relentless reporters at bay, and I finally felt a sense of safety wash over me.

“What about my tutoring session… and the film crew?” I asked, glancing at Taylor as he parked the car.

“The film crew wrapped up earlier today,” he informed me. “You’ll have your tutoring session here. It’s not safe for you to return to the mansion just yet. Gavin spent the day working on it.”

As we entered, I spotted Gavin waiting inside, a flash of relief crossing his face as he saw us. But I was too frazzled to appreciate the sentiment at that moment.

“I’m on it,” he assured me before I could voice a single concern. “If it means smashing every single camera they have, I will do it.”

“Taylor already filled me in on everything. I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” I replied, attempting to downplay the situation. “But who took that photo in the first place?” This nagging question had been plaguing me all day; someone had been lurking outside the mansion, snapping pictures. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Gavin shook his head, determination etched on his features. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out, and then I’ll take care of their phone too.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his fierce protectiveness. He could be so endearing at times. I would have told him so if it weren’t for the pack gammas and Beta surrounding us.

“Is Matt already in the parlor?” I asked, scanning the room for a glimpse of him.

“Yes,” Gavin replied. “By the time your tutoring session is over, it should be safe for you to return to the mansion. You have my word.”

I nodded, still feeling a flicker of uncertainty, but trusting him nonetheless.

As I stepped around him to head towards the parlor, he gently grasped my arm, halting me. A rush of warmth spread through me at his touch, my cheeks flushing as an electric thrill coursed through the spot where his fingers lingered.

“We’ll talk later, okay?” he said softly.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify