The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 334

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 334: Getting Drunk**

**Judy’s POV**

I really ought to have exercised a bit more restraint with the drinking, but the truth was, I simply couldn’t help myself. The nerves were crawling under my skin, and the intimidating presence of everyone at this dinner only fueled my anxiety. Most of the attendees were men, all of them towering and muscular, while I felt like a small, fragile bird among them. Although I knew I had my own strength, I couldn’t shake the question that haunted me: was I strong enough to prevail in this competition?

The dinner spread was nothing short of spectacular—an extravagant buffet that seemed to offer every conceivable dish. My mouth watered as I surveyed the assortment, and I eagerly piled a few items onto my plate, my stomach growling in anticipation. Among the crowd, one particularly imposing figure caught my eye. He was flexing his muscles, boasting loudly about his accomplishments. Beside him stood Sammy, her cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment. When she spotted me, her face brightened, and she waved at me, albeit discreetly, as if she were afraid her boyfriend might notice her friendliness toward a rival.

That must be her boyfriend, I mused, feeling a strange mix of happiness for her and envy for the connection they shared. I returned her wave, but the moment felt fleeting, as if we were both aware that her boyfriend wouldn’t approve of her mingling with the competition.

At the front of the event hall, a long table caught my attention. It had four seats, two of which were empty. The other two were occupied by the formidable Lycan Chairmen. My heart raced as I took in their powerful physiques, their stoic expressions, and the palpable aura of authority that surrounded them. It was almost overwhelming to gaze directly at them. I had heard whispers that Alpha Levi wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow, which explained one of the vacant seats, but the other puzzled me. I hadn’t realized that all the Lycan Chairmen would be present at this event; Gavin hadn’t mentioned anything about his participation in this competition.

Was he going to show up?

I scanned the room, my heart sinking as I failed to spot him. The mere thought of his absence twisted my stomach into knots.

As the evening wore on, a series of toasts and speeches were made by various Alphas and one of the Chairmen. Excitement buzzed in the air as everyone eagerly anticipated the competition, even though it wouldn’t commence for another couple of days. I overheard some discussions about training sessions scheduled for the courtyard in the morning, and I found myself contemplating whether I should join in.

For the most part, I preferred to keep to myself, finding solace at the bar. I continued to drink, allowing the alcohol to wash away my nerves until my cheeks felt pleasantly numb. It wasn’t until the entire room began to spin that I realized I had overindulged. I knew I couldn’t stay here any longer.

Determined to make a graceful exit, I attempted to navigate my way to the door. However, I stumbled more than once, and I silently hoped that no one had noticed my clumsiness. Once I reached the hallway and stepped into the elevator, I reached for my room key, only to realize that I had left it behind in my room.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. Nan was likely still out with her new friends, and I didn’t want to disturb her. Instead, I made my way to the front desk, feeling the embarrassment wash over me as I stumbled through the lobby. Luckily, there was no line at this late hour, and the night crew seemed unfamiliar to me. I wondered what time it was.

“I need a new room key. I locked mine in the room,” I explained to one of the workers, my voice slightly slurred.

He nodded and began typing on the computer. “What’s your room number?” he asked.

I squinted, trying to recall the number through the fog of my intoxication. “Uh… I think it’s 909?”

He nodded in response, continuing to type. After a moment, he retrieved a new key card and activated it with a swift motion. “Here you go,” he said, handing it to me.

I thanked him and made my way back to the elevator, my heart racing with anticipation of finally collapsing into bed.

The moment I stepped into my room, all I could think about was crashing into bed. I was far too lazy to bother changing into pajamas, so I simply stripped off my clothes, leaving a trail of fabric behind me as I made my way to the bed. Nan still hadn’t returned, which oddly relieved me; I didn’t want her to see me in this state.

The room had a different scent now—pleasant and inviting. It was as if someone had spruced it up while I was gone. Perhaps Nan had spritzed some perfume before leaving, or maybe the staff had tidied up a bit.

I crawled into bed, pulling the covers over my bare body and allowing sleep to envelop me like a warm blanket.

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