The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 327

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 327: He’s Cheating**

**Judy’s POV**

“Are you really asking me to accompany you?” Nan inquired, her eyes widening in disbelief.

I offered a firm nod, my heart racing with anticipation.

“Yes, I want you to come along,” I replied earnestly. “We’ll only be away for a few weeks, and honestly, I think it would be refreshing for both of us to escape our routines for a little while.”

“Are you absolutely sure about this?” she pressed, a flicker of anxiety shadowing her features. “I don’t want to feel like I’m imposing on you.”

“You could never impose, Nan,” I reassured her, my voice steady. “Besides, the thought of going alone doesn’t sit well with me.”

A smile broke across her face, illuminating her worried expression.

“Well, I do have a ton of PTO that I haven’t used,” she admitted, her tone lightening.

“And it’s perfectly timed with the school vacation, so you won’t miss anything important,” I added, playfully nudging her shoulder. “Come on, Nan. Just say yes!”

Her laughter bubbled up, and with a gleam of excitement in her eyes, she finally nodded.

“Alright, yes! I’m in!”

The rest of the evening unfolded like a delightful tapestry as we caught up on everything we had missed in recent days. The joy of having my best friend back in my life filled me with warmth, and with each plan we made for our upcoming adventure, our excitement grew exponentially.

I shared with her the email detailing the competition venue, and as I read aloud, I could see her enthusiasm mirrored in my own. The location was a tropical paradise, a vibrant escape that seemed too good to be true. We were set to stay at a luxurious resort, all expenses covered by the event’s sponsors. The only tasks left for Nan were to secure a plane ticket and find a new bathing suit that would make her feel fabulous.

To my relief, the seat next to mine was still available, and she managed to book it without any complications before the night drew to a close.

Chester had kept his distance throughout the evening, which left me pondering his well-being. At one point, while Nan was peacefully asleep, I tiptoed into the kitchen to check on him. However, he was nowhere to be found, and one of the night warriors mentioned casually that he had left shortly after we returned home.

I decided to give him the space he clearly needed, leaving him to his thoughts for the night.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains as Nan prepared to leave early to get home and shower before her late morning classes. I descended the stairs and entered the kitchen, only to stumble upon Chester and Harper embroiled in a fierce argument.

“How could you choose her over me?” Harper spat, her voice laced with anger as she glared at Chester. “After everything we’ve been through together? I’ve waited for you long enough…”

“I never asked you to wait for me,” Chester replied, shaking his head in disbelief. “I thought you wanted to keep our relationship and our work separate. What are you even doing in the kitchen right now?”

“Because you refuse to talk to me otherwise!” Harper exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. “It’s not fair, Chester!”

“You’re not being fair, Harper,” Chester replied, turning to face her fully. “I’ve found my mate. You were once my friend, Harps. You should be happy for me.”

“I’m in love with you,” Harper declared, crossing her arms defiantly. “I thought you felt the same way. But I guess I was mistaken.”

“Look, I enjoyed our time together, but it can’t happen again. Not while I’m trying to figure out my situation with my mate,” Chester stated firmly.

“Well, you have a bit of time to figure it out,” I interjected, stepping into the fray. Harper stiffened at my approach, and I took a seat at the counter, grabbing the coffee that Chester had prepared for me.

“What do you mean?” Chester asked, his brows furrowing as he studied my face.

“I was nominated for the Gamma Competitions,” I announced after savoring a sip of the steaming coffee. “I’m leaving in a week. It’s across the country, and I’ll be gone for a few weeks.”

“And what does that have to do with Nan?” Chester inquired, his expression shifting to one of concern.

“She’s coming with me,” I replied, my voice steady.

Chester’s complexion drained of color as he processed my words.

“She’s what?” he nearly shouted, disbelief etched across his features. “Why on earth would you do that?”

“She needed to get away and clear her mind, so I suggested she join me. She booked her ticket last night,” I explained, trying to keep my tone calm.

I could see the internal struggle in Chester’s eyes as he wrestled with his wolf instincts.

He wasn’t thrilled about the idea of his mate venturing off to another country, but deep down, I hoped he would soon realize this trip was beneficial for both of them. They needed this time apart to sort through their individual challenges before coming together as a couple.

“So, you have time to sort things out,” I continued, hoping to ease his worries. “Don’t fret, Chester. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

He seemed to want to argue, but instead, he pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded, the understanding settling over him like a heavy blanket. Deep down, he recognized that this was for the best.

I had never seen him look so serious before, and it made me chuckle softly at the absurdity of the situation.

With no classes on my agenda for the day, I decided to head to the Landry Villa a bit earlier than usual. I wanted to speak with Gavin and inform him about my departure for the Gamma competition in a week.

A small part of me hoped he would want to join me, but another part was resigned to the fact that he likely wouldn’t.

“Is Gavin around?” I asked the butler, Adam, as I stepped into the grand foyer.

Her question caught me off guard, and I raised my brows in surprise.

“What?” I managed to stammer.

“Why did you break up?” she pressed, urgency in her tone. “Tell me the truth, Judy.”

For a moment, I contemplated lying to her, knowing the truth would only complicate things further and potentially hurt her. But the root of Irene’s animosity stemmed from my previous dishonesty, and I didn’t want to add more layers to the deception.

“He cheated on me with you,” I stated plainly, my voice unwavering.

“What?” she gasped, her expression shifting to one of horror.

“He met you and your father at a conference, right?” I shrugged, trying to maintain my composure. “He fell for you and left me. We were already marked and mated for two years by that point. Every time he’s with you, I feel the pain of our bond unraveling. That ache won’t fade until he marks you, which won’t happen until after you’re married. But yes, that’s the reality. He met you, and he chose you over me.”

She exhaled a shaky breath, clearly overwhelmed by my revelation.

The sight of her defeat struck a chord in my heart, and I yearned to share the rest of the story—the part about how Ethan had tried to manipulate me into being his secret mistress, craving both worlds for himself. I wanted to tell her that he didn’t truly love her and was using her to get closer to her father. I wanted to reveal how he had been blackmailing me and that he was likely the reason my father was in trouble with loan sharks. But the words lodged in my throat, refusing to come out.

She was already carrying enough weight on her shoulders; she didn’t need my burdens added to her own. Besides, I had answered her question, and that was all that mattered for now. Unless she probed deeper, I didn’t owe her any additional explanations.

“I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you this, Irene. And I truly regret not telling you sooner,” I said, my apology sincere.

She remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground, lost in thought.

“Are you okay?” I asked after what felt like an eternity of silence.

She blinked a few times, as if trying to gather her thoughts.

“Um, I don’t know…” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I had no idea…”

I sighed, feeling a mix of sympathy and frustration. I hated seeing her in such distress, yet I couldn’t help but care. She had once been my friend, and she was Gavin’s daughter—there was an undeniable connection that lingered between us.

“I know I might be the last person you want to talk to right now, but if you need anything, I’m here,” I offered, attempting a reassuring smile.

As I turned to walk away, unsure of what else to say and eager to find Matt for our lessons, I sensed that Irene didn’t truly want to continue this conversation. She was still in shock, and once she regained her composure, I knew she would remember that she viewed me as an enemy.

But just as I was about to leave, she blurted out, “I think he’s cheating on me.” The words hung in the air, halting my steps entirely.