The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 326

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed
**Chapter 326: Come With Me**

**Judy’s POV**

The atmosphere was undeniably tense, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

Chester sat there in silence, visibly shaken, as Nan’s unexpected question hung in the air like a heavy fog. He seemed at a loss for words, as if her inquiry had knocked the breath from his lungs. It was clear to me that he hadn’t anticipated such a direct confrontation. Nan, despite her valiant efforts to mask her emotions, couldn’t completely hide the hurt that flickered in her eyes and laced her voice. I could sense it, and I had no doubt Chester could too.

The car was enveloped in a heavy silence, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. Nan had chosen to occupy the back seat, a decision that spoke volumes about her state of mind. I found myself in the front seat, while Chester drove, his attention darting back to Nan through the rearview mirror. She, in turn, did everything in her power to avoid his gaze, though I knew she could feel the weight of his eyes on her throughout the ride.

When Chester finally parked his car in the familiar spot beside the mansion, he lingered for a moment, the engine still rumbling softly, as if he were gathering his thoughts.

Without hesitation, Nan flung open the door and leaped out, her movements frantic. I hesitated, hoping Chester would muster the courage to follow her, but he merely watched her retreating figure, a storm of emotions brewing in his eyes.

“She hates me,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, clouded with despair.

“She doesn’t hate you. That’s impossible,” I reassured him, attempting to infuse my words with conviction. “She just needs time to process everything.”

“How much time?” He turned to me, his gaze filled with a mix of confusion and desperation. “She won’t even look at me, Judy.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve never seen you this torn up about a woman before.”

Chester’s reputation as a playboy was well-known. He thrived on the thrill of the chase, often found out on the town with a different woman each weekend, much to Harper’s chagrin. When he was home, he was either whipping up something in the kitchen or spending time in Harper’s room, seemingly oblivious to the chaos surrounding him.

I had always assumed that once Chester decided to get serious, it would be Harper who would capture his heart. I was certain she felt the same, secretly hoping to be the one he ultimately chose.

None of us could have foreseen the twist of fate that led him to discover his mate, nor could I have predicted that it would be my best friend.

“What are you planning to do?” I finally inquired, breaking the heavy silence that had settled between us.

Chester sighed deeply, his eyes focused on his hands, which were clenched tightly in his lap.

“I honestly don’t know,” he confessed after a moment of contemplation.

“Are you considering rejecting her?”

A low growl escaped him before he could suppress it, and for a fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of his wolf in his eyes. It was clear that the mere thought of rejection ignited a primal fury within him. His wolf craved its mate, while the man wrestled with uncertainty.

“I never imagined I would have a mate,” he reiterated, his voice tinged with disbelief. “I never thought I’d be faced with such a monumental decision.”

“Well, you better figure it out quickly before she’s gone for good,” I advised, pushing the car door open with determination. “You’ve already shattered her heart. You either need to rip the band-aid off completely or start piecing her back together. I hate seeing her like this, Chester, and it pains me to know that you’re the cause of her suffering.”

Without waiting for a response, I exited the car and hurried toward the mansion, my heart racing as I scanned the expansive space for Nan.

“She went upstairs,” one of the maids responded to my unvoiced question, her tone sympathetic.

I offered her a grateful smile and dashed up the staircase, pushing through the door to my room. There, I found Nan curled up on my bed, a pillow clutched to her chest, tears cascading down her cheeks like a silent waterfall.

“How long have you known?” she asked, her voice muffled, not even bothering to look at me. I stepped further into the room, closing the door behind me with a soft click.

“Known what?” I feigned ignorance, hoping to buy some time.

“Known that Chester was my mate,” she replied, rolling her tear-filled eyes in exasperation. “You clearly know the truth.”

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

“After you left the other day,” I began, biting my lower lip nervously, “I pieced it together based on Chester’s behavior.”

She nodded slowly, turning her tear-stained face toward me. Her complexion was blotchy and red from crying, a stark contrast to her usual radiant self.

“I’ve always dreamed of finding my mate, but I never expected him to be such a notorious playboy,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

I settled down beside her on the bed, the mattress sinking slightly under my weight.

“Chester isn’t all bad once you get to know him,” I said gently. “Sure, he has his flaws, but at his core, he’s a genuinely nice guy.”

“He went on a date with Becky from my favorite boutique,” Nan muttered bitterly, her voice heavy with hurt. “That’s how our paths first crossed.”

I swallowed hard, recalling the night she had mentioned meeting her mate. She had been intoxicated and had only shared fragments of that encounter. I remembered her excitement about buying a dress for the frat party we attended, and a knot twisted in my stomach as I connected the dots.

She had met Chester that fateful night, and that had driven her to drink excessively at the party.

“He saw me, and I could tell he recognized me as his mate just as I recognized him,” she continued, tears spilling over once more. “But he still chose to leave with her. He picked her over me…”

“I’m sure it wasn’t as straightforward as that,” I said softly, trying to offer some comfort. “He was probably just in shock, and he had a commitment to consider that night. He likely didn’t want to abandon her.”

“So instead, he abandoned me? His mate?” Nan’s eyes widened, disbelief etched on her face as she stared at me. “How does that make any sense, Judy?”

I fell silent for a moment, grappling with the complexities of the situation, unsure of how to respond.

“I don’t know,” I finally admitted, my heart aching for her. “It’s all so overwhelming right now. I’m truly sorry you’re going through this.”

She sighed heavily, tossing the pillow aside in frustration.

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