The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 331

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 331: Irene’s Suspicion**

In the bustling heart of a restaurant, Ethan found himself at a table surrounded by strangers, each absorbed in their own business discussions. The air was thick with the aroma of gourmet dishes and hushed conversations, creating an atmosphere that felt both foreign and familiar to him. He was dressed in a sharp suit that mirrored the professionalism of those around him, yet beneath the surface, his thoughts churned with apprehension.

Levi Churchill occupied the head of the table, his presence commanding and authoritative. Ethan’s gaze flickered around, taking in the serious expressions of the others present.

“What exactly am I looking for?” Ethan inquired, his brow furrowing as he attempted to grasp the weight of the task ahead.

“Anything and everything is vital,” Levi replied, his voice steady and unwavering. “If I intend to dismantle Alpha Gavin’s empire, I must understand its inner workings. You have a unique advantage, being engaged to his daughter. You have access to his home. I need personal details—anything you can uncover will be beneficial.”

Ethan nodded slowly, a sense of duty washing over him. “Yes, Alpha,” he responded, bowing his head slightly, feeling the weight of the Lycan’s power pressing upon him like a heavy cloak.

“And what about the girl?” A woman at the table, whose name eluded him, interjected. “You mentioned she was participating in the Gamma competition?”

He knew she referred to Judy, and the conversation had shifted to her as if she were a pawn in a game he had no desire to play. Levi had already made it clear that Judy’s connection to Gavin was a point of interest.

“I have someone monitoring her during the competition,” Levi assured, his gaze piercing. “I will also be attending tomorrow. Gavin will be present, which gives you a prime opportunity to gather information over the coming weeks. Can I rely on you to fulfill this?” His eyes narrowed, emphasizing the seriousness of the task.

“Yes, Alpha,” Ethan reiterated, the urgency of the moment settling heavily in his chest.

Levi nodded, his attention shifting to the others at the table. “You all know your roles,” he murmured, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.

As the meeting concluded, Ethan felt a surge of anxiety. He ran his fingers through his hair, preparing to leave when Levi’s voice called out to him, halting him in his tracks.

“Ethan,” Levi said, his tone low and threatening. “Do not disappoint me. The consequences of failure will be dire.”

A shaky breath escaped Ethan’s lips as he nodded in understanding, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him like a lead weight.

The drive to the Villa felt interminable, an hour stretched into an eternity filled with thoughts of Irene and the secrets he was harboring. She had called him en route, her voice a soothing balm, asking if he would be visiting today. He assured her he would, guilt gnawing at him for not having seen her in days, especially since learning about her recent hospital stay. Meetings with Alpha Levi had consumed his time, leaving little room for anything else.

Upon arriving at the Villa, relief washed over him when he discovered Gavin was not home. The thought of having to maintain his façade in front of Gavin was daunting; he couldn’t afford to slip up, not when Levi’s threat loomed large in his mind.

He expected Irene to greet him with open arms and a warm embrace, as was her custom. Instead, when he stepped into the parlor, he found her standing apart, her body language closed off. She wrapped her arms around herself, a clear indication that something was amiss. Her eyes were red-rimmed, suggesting she had been crying.

“What’s going on?” Ethan asked, concern lacing his voice as he stepped closer, his heart racing.

“I went by your house yesterday,” she said, catching him off guard. He hadn’t seen her at all the previous day, and he barely recalled her scent lingering in the air when he returned home that morning. The realization that she had visited while he was absent sent a chill down his spine.

“Okay?” he replied, confusion clouding his thoughts.

“There was a woman there,” she said, her gaze locking onto his. “She was standing at your door.”

“Do you know who it was?” he asked, his chest tightening with anxiety. He had been reckless with his past entanglements, and now it seemed his carelessness was catching up with him.

The last few weeks, he had been trying to behave, but he had never formally ended things with his casual flings. Some of those encounters were with women who understood the nature of their relationship, while others were not. One girl, in particular, had begun to develop feelings for him after their encounters—Scarlett. She resembled Judy, which only complicated matters further.

Ethan’s mind raced. He had made the mistake of seeing her more than once, and when he realized she was getting attached, he should have cut ties. Instead, he had invited her over, and they had spent an entire night together, lost in each other until dawn. But now, he hadn’t spoken to her in weeks, hoping she would take the hint and leave him alone. He couldn’t risk Irene discovering the truth about Scarlett.

“I can’t let her find out,” he thought, panic rising within him.

“Did she say anything to you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of his secrets pressing heavily on him.

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