The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 34

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**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**

**Chapter 34: Scheming Behind The Scenes**

In the quiet aftermath of the gathering, one could say the evening had unfolded in a manner that was neither the best nor the worst, yet it was undoubtedly etched into memory.

The atmosphere shifted palpably the moment Alexander made his entrance, ready to escort both Evelyn and Wendy home. By that time, the sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across the venue, and many of the other guests were beginning to filter out, their laughter and chatter fading into the distance.

Caroline, however, remained consumed by an inner tempest, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. The humiliation she had experienced earlier that day, brought on by Evelyn’s unexpected boldness, still stung. When Evelyn had dared to address her directly, Caroline had brushed off the younger woman’s audacity, convinced that she was merely a fleeting annoyance—a girl with no depth, no real understanding of the stakes at play.

Yet, as she reflected on the encounter, Caroline couldn’t shake the feeling that Evelyn was far more formidable than she had initially assessed. There was a fire within her new daughter-in-law that Caroline hadn’t anticipated. No one had ever spoken to her with such daring, and Caroline had been prepared to put Evelyn in her place, had it not been for Fiona’s timely intervention.

Caroline had always held a grudging admiration for Fiona, who wielded her sharp tongue with precision when the occasion demanded it. It was a skill that proved invaluable in social settings like these, where the delicate balance of power could shift with a single word. Caroline understood the importance of reminding others of their rightful place; she was determined to ascend the social ladder, and nothing would stand in her way.

What she hadn’t foreseen was Wendy stepping forward to defend Evelyn. Wendy, blissfully unaware of how her age had begun to catch up with her, was still quick-witted and sharp as a tack. She had a remarkable ability to command attention, drawing people in with her charisma, a skill honed over years of earning both respect and fear from those around her.

When Caroline caught wind of the shocking news that Evelyn was poised to take over the accounts and fully embrace her role as Luna, a wave of fury surged through her. No, she thought vehemently. There was no way she would accept such a ludicrous idea. While she begrudgingly admired Fiona’s ability to dismantle Evelyn’s confidence, it was clear they needed to devise a new strategy.

Caroline’s gaze swept through the crowd, searching for Fiona, who stood among the scattered guests, looking utterly defeated. Leaning against a grand marble pillar, Fiona’s arms were crossed tightly over her chest, her expression one of frustration.

“Now is not the time for sulking,” Caroline admonished, her tone firm. “We need to regroup and devise a plan to take that insufferable little brat down a peg.”

Fiona rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply. “Forget it,” she snapped. “None of your schemes have worked out as planned so far. I’m already treading on thin ice with Alexander’s pack. The last thing I need is to be excommunicated or worse.”

Pushing herself away from the pillar, Fiona made her way toward her car, leaving Caroline fuming in her wake. How could Fiona just abandon their mission at such a critical moment? Gaining control of the Moonstone Pack was a golden opportunity that could lead to limitless possibilities. The allure of power and status danced tantalizingly just out of reach, driving Caroline to the brink of madness.

She needed to find a new angle to approach Evelyn.

As her eyes scanned the crowd once more, they landed on two women who seemed to share her disdain for Evelyn—Isabella and Samantha, who were waiting for their ride.

“Isabella!” Caroline called out, her voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd.

The two women turned, their expressions revealing that they too were still simmering from the earlier events. Caroline approached them, her demeanor calm and collected, masking the turmoil within.

“Why don’t we exchange contact information?” she proposed casually. “It’s a shame that our encounters are limited to these gatherings. We could benefit greatly from being able to meet on our own terms.”

Isabella’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh, that’s a fantastic idea! This way, we can have our private discussions without any unwelcome interruptions.”

“Exactly. There are many matters to discuss, such as the proper way a Luna should conduct herself in public,” Caroline added, her tone dripping with feigned innocence.