The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 338

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 338: Injured Ankle**

**Gavin’s POV**

What a fool she was being. The urge to scoop her up, toss her over my shoulder, and whisk her away from this chaotic scene was overwhelming. But I was acutely aware of the eyes around us; any hint of my intentions would undoubtedly reach Levi’s ears. I had to maintain a low profile, especially when it came to Judy. The thought of Levi knowing about her was unbearable. My focus on my own workout evaporated, replaced by the unsettling image of her out there, exacerbating her injury.

I ducked into the locker room, my heart racing as I grabbed my belongings and Judy’s backpack, which I had stashed in my locker earlier. The moment she decided to stop being so stubborn, I would take her straight to the resort’s urgent care.

Exiting the locker room, I scanned the gym for Judy.

There she was, near the weights, attempting to avoid putting pressure on her injured ankle. A flicker of hope ignited within me—perhaps she wasn’t as reckless as I had initially believed. But that thought quickly dissipated when a competitor approached her, their voices blending into the cacophony of the gym.

Then it happened. The dumbbell fell, and with her swift, catlike reflexes, Judy lunged forward, catching it just in time to prevent it from crashing down on the girl beside her. My heart sank as I heard the sickening crack of her ankle. Though I couldn’t decipher their conversation amidst the noise, the sharp sound of bone fracturing pierced through me. Judy’s face contorted with a mix of surprise and suppressed agony.

She was determined not to let that girl see her pain, putting on a brave face as if nothing was wrong.

But why?

Who was this girl to her?

As Judy hobbled away, the competitor moved on to find a new partner, and I rushed to her side before she could get too far. Not that she was moving quickly with her injured ankle. She almost collapsed, and I quickly draped my coat around her shoulders, hoping it would conceal her from prying eyes as I lifted her into my arms.

At first, she shot me a glare, her dark eyes sparking with defiance. But the pain etched across her features told a different story; her resolve was beginning to crumble. She was too stubborn to admit it, but she knew she needed help.

With a heavy sigh, she rested her head against my chest, and I noticed the deep crease forming between her brows as pain consumed her. I held her tightly, my heart racing as I maneuvered through the gym, relieved that we didn’t encounter too many people. However, a few paparazzi had their cameras trained on us, and I did my best to shield Judy’s face with my coat, barking at onlookers and photographers to give us some privacy.

I had no patience for them right now.

I was intimately familiar with this hotel, having spent countless hours here, thanks to a family friend who owned the place. I navigated the hallways with ease, knowing exactly where to go without needing a map. The resort’s urgent care was just a short distance from the gym.

“Alpha Landry?” The receptionist looked up as I burst into the urgent care office, her eyes widening at the urgency in my expression. When she spotted Judy, she quickly rose to her feet.

“She needs help. It’s her ankle,” I said, rushing to a gurney in the corner of the room and laying Judy down, the coat draped over her like a makeshift blanket. Her ankle was grotesquely swollen, a vivid red that screamed pain. I could barely wrap my fingers around it; it looked as though it could burst at any moment. She was sweating, her complexion pale, and I could see the dazed look in her eyes—perhaps the result of the pain or the shock of her injury.

“Don’t worry, Alpha. We’ve got this under control,” Dr. Kelsey assured me as he hurried into the room, clearly summoned by the receptionist’s alarm.

Dr. Kelsey was a skilled physician, and I felt a wave of relief knowing Judy was in capable hands. I watched as she was whisked away into the emergency room, surrounded by medical staff. She would be okay.

I could leave now…

I should leave…

**Judy’s POV**

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment. The sterile scent of antiseptic and the sight of neatly arranged beds suggested I was in some sort of infirmary. My gaze darted around the room until it landed on a familiar figure slumped in a chair beside my bed.

“Gavin?” I croaked, my voice rough and strained. I cleared my throat and tried again, raising my volume, which startled him awake.

“You’re awake,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine with a mix of relief and concern. “How are you feeling?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool.

“I guess better. What happened?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Well, as I feared, you aggravated your ankle even more. You passed out from the pain when I brought you here. They had to operate to reset your bone.”

My heart plummeted as I glanced down at my leg, now encased in a bulky cast. This was not good at all. Panic surged through me as I frantically searched for a clock, desperate to gauge how much time I had left. Maybe there was still a chance for it to heal before the competition.

“It’s almost morning. We’ve been here for several hours,” he explained, his tone heavy with the weight of the situation.

A choked sob threatened to escape me at his words. Morning meant I was running out of time. I was doomed… disqualification loomed over me, and I could already envision myself making a fool of myself in front of everyone. This was my one chance to make an impression, and I was on the verge of ruining it.

Before I could voice my fears, the doctor entered the room.

“Miss Judy, you’ll need to stay off that ankle for the next 24 to 48 hours. Your wolf will kick in and start the healing process now that we’ve reset it properly,” he said, offering me a reassuring smile. “I’ve also prescribed some medication to help speed up your recovery.”

“Thank you,” I managed to say, though my gratitude was overshadowed by my anxiety about the competition.

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