The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 316

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 316: Mates**

**Judy’s POV**

“A…are you serious right now??” Harper’s voice trembled with disbelief, her eyes wide as she processed Chester’s shocking revelation.

Chester, his expression heavy with regret, nodded slowly, letting out a long, weary sigh.

“Yes, Harper. I’m truly sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. With that, he turned away from her, retreating back into the mansion as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. Harper stood there, paralyzed, her cheeks flushed with a mix of anger and betrayal. I could feel my heart aching for her; it was painfully evident how much she cared for Chester. The way her eyes lit up whenever he was near, the little smiles that crept onto her lips—now all overshadowed by this moment. It was a cruel reminder of how much it stung when the person you liked didn’t reciprocate your feelings or, worse yet, let you go without a second thought. Yet, amidst my sympathy for her, my mind couldn’t help but drift to Nan. Was she alright?

“I’m really sorry…” I said softly, unsure of what else to offer her in this moment of despair.

“I just don’t understand…” she whispered, her gaze fixed on the ground, as if the answers were hidden in the cracks of the floor. “Everything was going well. Then that girl just walked in and…” Her voice faded, choked by the weight of her sorrow.

“Do you think they’re seeing each other? I heard Chester went on a date the other day. Could it be her?” I asked, trying to piece together the puzzle.

I shook my head, a frown forming on my lips. Nan would have definitely told me if she had gone out with someone. She was always so open about her life, sharing every detail with me. The fact that she hadn’t mentioned anything made my stomach twist with unease.

“I’m not too sure, Harper,” I finally admitted, my voice laced with uncertainty.

Harper nodded, sniffing back her tears as she turned away from me, retreating into the mansion like a wounded animal.

“I’m just going to go inside. If you need anything… I’ll be in my room,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Without another glance, she disappeared through the door, leaving me standing there, feeling helpless. I watched her go, my heart heavy with concern for both her and Nan. After a moment of contemplation, I pulled out my phone, hoping for some distraction. The screen illuminated with the stark truth—no missed calls, no texts. Disappointment washed over me. I felt a pang of sadness that Gavin hadn’t reached out, and equally troubling was the silence from Nan. Why hadn’t she checked in after leaving?

I quickly brought up her contact, pressing the phone to my ear. The rings echoed in the empty space around me until I was met with her voicemail.

“Hey, Nan. Please call me when you get a chance,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m really worried about you…” I added before ending the call, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

With a heavy sigh, I made my way back inside. The mansion felt eerily quiet, the kitchen devoid of life. I knew Chester had turned in for the night, leaving behind the meal he had prepared for us, untouched and forlorn on the counter. My appetite had waned, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to save it for later, so I wrapped it in plastic and placed it in the fridge. Grabbing a sponge, I wiped down the counters, my mind racing with thoughts. I couldn’t shake the unease about what had transpired earlier, and it made my stomach churn.

Once the kitchen was clean, I retreated to my room, a wave of sadness washing over me at how abruptly Nan had left. I had been looking forward to our girls’ night, and now it felt like a distant dream. I entered the bathroom, brushing my hair back into a loose ponytail, washing away the remnants of my makeup. As I squeezed toothpaste onto my brush, my mind began to wander. Nan’s reaction at the party had been so out of character for her. She had mentioned something about finding her mate—could it be that Chester was the one?

My heart raced as I froze, toothbrush suspended in mid-air, the realization hitting me like a cold splash of water. Could Chester be Nan’s mate? The thought sent an unsettling flutter through my stomach, my eyes widening in disbelief. It made sense given the way they interacted. But if that was true, did Chester know about Nan and still choose to pursue someone else? The memory of him kissing Harper in the kitchen earlier gnawed at me, casting a shadow over my perception of him.

If that were the case, perhaps Chester wasn’t as innocent as I had believed.

I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over me. I leaned against the counter, trying to collect my thoughts. This entire situation was spiraling out of control, and all I wanted was to find solace in sleep. After taking several deep breaths, I turned off the bathroom light and stepped into my room. The emptiness felt suffocating without Gavin by my side. I had grown accustomed to his presence, his warmth filling the spaces in the night that once felt so lonely.

I checked my phone one last time, my heart sinking further when I saw there were still no messages. I sighed heavily and attempted to call Nan again, but her voicemail greeted me once more. I placed my phone on the charger, resting it on my nightstand as I crawled into bed, the sheets feeling cold and unwelcoming. The loneliness wrapped around me like a heavy blanket, and I wished desperately that I could reach out to Gavin, but I knew he was busy with his own life. I longed to hear from Nan, but she was silent, locked away in her own world.

The uncertainty loomed large, and I hoped that by morning, clarity would dawn upon me.

Eventually, sleep claimed me, though it felt restless and fragmented.

When morning light broke through my window, I awoke feeling disoriented and numb. Grabbing my phone, I held my breath, praying for a sign of life. My heart skipped a beat when I noticed a text message from Gavin, timestamped early that morning. I bit my lower lip, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within me as I opened the message.

**Gavin:** Sorry I couldn’t come over last night. I’d like to see you tonight though. Dinner tonight?

A smile spread across my face, illuminating the remnants of my morning gloom. I eagerly pressed the reply button, fingers flying over the screen as I typed my response.

**Me:** That sounds great!

With a satisfied grin, I tossed the phone aside and jumped out of bed, not bothering to change out of my pajamas. My stomach growled, reminding me that I had skipped dinner the night before. I hoped Chester was feeling up to cooking breakfast; if not, I’d have to fend for myself in the kitchen.

To my surprise, when I entered the kitchen, I found Chester hard at work, the aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. But the kitchen was eerily quiet; there were no other staff members in sight. I glanced around, wondering where everyone else had gone, but Chester’s focused expression caught my attention. He paused momentarily, his gaze flickering toward me, as if wrestling with whether to say something before ultimately returning to his tasks.

“Where is everybody?” I asked, taking a seat at the breakfast nook, my curiosity piqued.

“I told them I wanted some space today,” he replied, his tone clipped, not bothering to meet my eyes.

I observed him as he moved with a surprising grace around the kitchen, each action deliberate and efficient.

“Is everything okay?” I inquired, raising an eyebrow, sensing a heaviness in his demeanor.

He finished plating the food and slid the plate across the counter toward me. Quietly, he poured coffee into a mug, his movements almost robotic. For a moment, I thought he might not answer, but he finally leaned against the counter, his expression weary.

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