The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 314

**Title: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 314: Girl’s Night**

**Judy’s POV**

Leroy, ever the gentleman, kindly guided me through the grand entrance of the mansion, leading me to my room. As I stepped inside, I felt a wave of comfort wash over me. Deep down, I knew that by morning, I would feel much better; my wolf had a remarkable ability to heal quickly. Yet, the events of the previous day replayed in my mind like a broken record. I understood that Leroy hadn’t intended to harm me; if he were aware of the truth, he would be tormented by guilt. I resolved to keep my thoughts to myself, but it stung to realize that his focus was entirely on getting Irene to the hospital, seemingly oblivious to my own distress. I couldn’t fault him too much; after all, Irene was his daughter. But didn’t he see through her charade? The smug smirk she had shot my way as they left made it clear that her injury was nothing but a ruse.

It was disheartening to witness how easily a Lycan chairman could be deceived, and the thought nagged at me. Chester, in his usual thoughtful manner, brought me dinner in bed, and I expressed my gratitude before he departed. There was a different air about him tonight; perhaps he had caught wind of the news reports before they were taken down, as he didn’t indulge in his usual flirtatious banter with me.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips; perhaps some good had indeed come from the chaos after all.

Harper was attentive, ensuring I had everything I needed as I began to recover. I felt a swell of appreciation for both of them, grateful for their presence, even if the dynamics between them were somewhat awkward.

When morning arrived, I awoke feeling significantly better. It was Friday, and the prospect of a weekend filled with nothing but relaxation thrilled me. I contemplated the idea of a girl’s night with Nan. She had yet to experience the splendor of the mansion, and I knew she had been eagerly anticipating a visit ever since I mentioned my stay here.

We both needed an escape from reality, even if just for a little while.

“You know what we’re doing this weekend?” I asked her when I spotted her at school that morning.

Her laughter rang out, a delightful sound that brightened my day.

“What’s that?” she replied, her curiosity piqued.

“A girl’s night!” I announced, a grin spreading across my face.

Her expression lit up, and I felt a flutter of excitement at the thought of our impending time together.

Perhaps during this girl’s night, I could finally unravel the thoughts that had been weighing on her mind. Since the party, she had seemed somewhat withdrawn, and I hadn’t dared to broach the subject of the mate bond she had mentioned that night. It was clear to me that if she wished to share, she would do so when she felt ready.

But the silence stung a little; it hurt to think she didn’t trust me with such a significant secret.

“I can grab some wine, and we can indulge in junk food,” I suggested. “How does tomorrow sound?”

“At the mansion?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I chuckled and affirmed, “Yes!”

She let out a shriek of joy and enveloped me in a warm hug, her enthusiasm infectious.

Later that evening, after wrapping up my tutoring session with Matt, I had anticipated Gavin would take me home and spend some time together since our last interaction had been brief. To my dismay, I learned that he was still attending to Irene and her fabricated injury.

He hadn’t even bothered to inform me himself; his Beta had delivered the news instead. With a sigh, I thanked him and allowed Leroy to escort me back to the mansion.

Throughout the evening, I found myself checking my phone incessantly, but there were no messages or calls from Gavin. The silence was deafening, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of disappointment that settled in my chest.

**Third Person POV**

What am I doing? Nan pondered as she stood outside the boutique, her heart racing.

She gazed up at the familiar sign, a swirl of emotions churning within her. Questions flooded her mind, yet she felt uncertain about the answers. Still, she knew she had to confront her feelings head-on.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door to the boutique, the soft chime of the bells announcing her arrival and catching Becky’s attention.

“Oh, hey, Nan!” Becky greeted with a warm smile. “You’re back already?”

Nan bit her lip, closing the door behind her as she stepped inside.

“Yeah, I’m planning a girl’s night with my best friend tonight, and I thought I’d pick up something comfy,” she replied. “Maybe some new PJs?” It was a fib; she had more than enough pajamas and cozy clothes at home, but she needed a reason for her early return.

Becky nodded, oblivious to the deception.

“I think I have just the thing,” she said, stepping out from behind the counter. “We received some new PJs yesterday, so this is perfect timing.”

Lucky me, Nan thought, a hint of relief washing over her.

As she wandered toward the pajama section, she couldn’t help but admire Becky. She was stunning, the kind of beauty that made Nan’s heart ache with every beat. This was the woman her mate had chosen over her, and it stung more than she cared to admit.

Becky returned with an adorable pajama set, and Nan forced a smile, barely glancing at the fabric in her hands.

“It’s perfect,” she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.

“Do you want to try it on?” Becky inquired, raising her brows in anticipation.

“No need. I’m sure it’ll fit just fine,” Nan replied, biting her lower lip nervously.

Becky chuckled, making her way back to the counter.

“Well, okay then,” she said, her tone light.

“So…” Nan ventured, following her to the counter. “How was your date the other night?”

Becky shrugged nonchalantly.

“The date itself was nice. He was quite the gentleman,” she replied. “I just wish he had invited me to his place… but he didn’t. He dropped me off at home and kissed my cheek.”

Nan felt a tight knot form in her chest; his lips had been on her skin? The thought sent a wave of nausea through her, and she fought to suppress the bile rising in her throat.

“But he’s been a bit distant lately,” Becky continued, her brow furrowing. “It’s like there’s something on his mind. We’ve seen each other a few times since then, and it’s clear he’s holding back. I think there might be someone else.”

Nan’s heart sank.

“I’m going to change into my new PJs,” Nan announced, heading toward Judy’s bathroom.

“Great! After that, we can head downstairs, crack open that wine, and indulge in some cheesy romcoms. I also ordered a pizza,” Judy added, her enthusiasm infectious.

Nan laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. This was precisely what she needed to take her mind off everything.

Quickly, she changed into her pajamas, tying her hair up in a messy bun. Once she was ready, the girls made their way downstairs to the living room. Judy grabbed a couple of wine glasses and poured them each a generous serving before settling onto the couch beside Nan.

“We needed this,” Judy declared, clinking her glass against Nan’s before taking a sip.

“Absolutely,” Nan agreed, savoring her own drink.

For a moment, she contemplated sharing her thoughts about her mate, but the weight of those words felt heavy. Saying it out loud would make it all too real, so she opted for silence—for now, at least. She needed to know more about him before making any decisions.

“Are you burning a candle or something?” Nan asked suddenly, catching a whiff of something sweet wafting through the air. “Something smells amazing in here.”

“Could be Chester in the kitchen. He mentioned making a dessert for us,” Judy replied, a smile on her face.

Nan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Who is Chester?” she asked.

“The chef,” Judy replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

Nan laughed, shaking her head playfully.

“You have a personal chef? Of course you do,” she teased.

Judy shrugged, a mock sigh escaping her lips.

“Don’t blame me… blame the Landrys,” she said with a playful grin. “But Chester is a good guy; he’s funny and a bit of a flirt, but harmless.”

“I want to see what he’s cooking,” Nan declared, rising to her feet. “The aroma is mouthwatering.”

Judy frowned, sniffing the air.

“I don’t really smell anything, but I’m a bit stuffed up,” she admitted. “The kitchen is just around the corner. I’ll stay here and pick out a movie.”

Nan nodded, taking another generous sip of her wine before setting the glass back down on the table. She hurried toward the kitchen, the enticing scent growing stronger with each step.

It was so familiar, and she was eager to discover what it was. Perhaps this Chester would let her have a taste.

As she stepped into the kitchen, her entire being froze in place, shock coursing through her.