The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 325

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 325: Embarrassment**

Nan was enveloped in a thick shroud of embarrassment, a feeling that clung to her like a second skin after the ordeal she had just endured. The reality of having alcohol poisoning weighed heavily on her, a bitter reminder of her reckless decisions.

For days, she had confined herself to the four walls of her modest one-bedroom apartment, a self-imposed exile from the world outside. The isolation had become a sanctuary where she could drown her sorrows in a haze of alcohol, a temporary escape from the pain that gnawed at her heart. She had completely shut out her best friend, Judy, and that thought stung her deeply. The guilt twisted in her stomach like a knife when she realized that it was Judy who had discovered her in such a pitiful state and rushed her to the hospital. She fidgeted with the blanket draped over her, her mind racing as she relived the shame of it all.

A dull ache throbbed behind her eyes, and her stomach churned, a constant reminder of the reckless binge. But perhaps the most painful of all was the heartache that lingered like a shadow, a constant reminder of her mate’s betrayal.

“Good morning, Nan,” chirped a nurse as she breezed into the room, her demeanor bright despite the remnants of a long night shift evident in her tired eyes. “How are you feeling today?” Nan recognized her as the same nurse who had tended to her the previous night, a comforting presence amidst the chaos.

“Like I just had my stomach pumped,” Nan replied softly, her fingers instinctively brushing against her abdomen, wincing at the memory of the procedure.

“Well, your wolf will heal you in no time,” the nurse reassured her, a hint of amusement dancing in her voice. “You drank so much that even your wolf was a little tipsy. That’s quite a feat!”

The memory of the drinks she had consumed flooded her mind, and a shiver ran down her spine.

She felt a pang of guilt for putting her wolf through such torment, but the pain of her heartbreak had driven her to seek solace in the bottom of a bottle. Her wolf, too, was suffering, tormented by the knowledge that their mate was nothing short of a womanizer. First, he had taken Becky out on a date, and now, the whispers of him making out with someone in the kitchen of Gavin Landry’s mansion echoed in her mind, a cruel twist of fate.

Why had Judy kept this from her?

But then, a wave of self-reproach washed over her. Why would Judy divulge anything about Chester? She had no inkling that he was her mate.

“I wanted to give you this number,” the nurse said, breaking into Nan’s thoughts as she handed her a small note.

Nan glanced at the paper, reading the name “Dr. Hoover,” along with a phone number scrawled beneath it.

“Who is this?” she queried, peering up at the nurse, curiosity piqued.

“Dr. Hoover is a psychiatrist, and she’s one of the best in the field,” the nurse replied, a hint of concern etched on her face, catching Nan off guard.

“I don’t need a psychiatrist,” Nan insisted, attempting to return the note, but the nurse merely shook her head, dismissing her objections.

“Something drove you to drink so much that you nearly harmed your wolf,” the nurse said, her frown deepening as she studied Nan’s expression. “When you were brought in yesterday, your wolf was so weak; I genuinely feared for her life. You need to talk to someone about what you’re going through. Being found alone like that is dangerous for both of you.”

Nan wanted to argue, to explain that it wasn’t the drinking that had endangered her wolf; it was the heartache she felt over their mate’s infidelity. It had rendered her vulnerable, caught off guard by the emotional turmoil. But the embarrassment of being so openly rejected without even a word spoken stung far worse.

She pressed her lips together, forcing a small smile to reassure the nurse, but even she could tell it didn’t reach her eyes, only deepening the nurse’s concern.

“Thank you,” Nan finally murmured, placing the phone number on the small table beside her bed, feeling the weight of the conversation linger in the air.

The nurse nodded, her smile warm and encouraging. “You’ll be discharged today. I’ve already called your friend, Judy. She’s on her way to pick you up.”

Nan’s heart sank at the mention of Judy.

“You called Judy?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought of facing her best friend right now felt daunting, yet deep down, she knew she needed to return home, and if anyone were to fetch her, it would have to be Judy.

“Yes,” the nurse replied matter-of-factly. “She insisted on being the first person I called once you were ready to leave. Plus, she had Gavin Landry backing her up, and I couldn’t refuse him even if I wanted to.”

Gavin knew about this too?

Could this situation possibly get any worse?

Without another word, the nurse exited the room, leaving Nan alone with her swirling thoughts. She stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. Her wolf stirred within her, still grappling with the heartache, and the memories of their mate flooded her mind.

To her surprise, she felt the soothing energy of her wolf healing her wounds, and within the hour, the discomfort in her stomach began to fade. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she finally felt strong enough to stand. With determination, she rose to her feet, though she nearly stumbled in the process. She needed to use the bathroom and brush her teeth; the remnants of her previous state left her feeling utterly disgusting, and she craved a semblance of normalcy in her life.

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