The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 340

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 340: Meeting The Competition**

**Judy’s POV**

“Oh, Judy. There you are,” Alpha Levi greeted me as I drew closer, a hint of relief evident in his voice. I managed a smile, though it felt a bit forced, especially after my earlier conversation with Gavin. My cheeks burned with an intensity that made me self-conscious, and I lightly touched them, hoping they weren’t as crimson as they felt.

If Levi noticed my discomfort, he chose to remain silent, his gaze focused elsewhere.

“I heard you wanted to speak with me?” I inquired, my tone a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

He nodded, his eyes flickering momentarily to my foot.

“How is your ankle?” he asked, genuine concern lacing his words.

“It’s healing,” I reassured him, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “By tomorrow morning, it should be completely healed.”

“Good,” he replied thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly. “Make sure you ice it tonight and try to stay off it as much as you can,” he instructed, gesturing toward a table nearby. “Your table is right over there.”

He pointed to a neatly arranged table, and I noticed a small nameplate that read: Judy.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I said, starting to make my way toward the table, only to be halted by his voice.

“Actually, I wanted to introduce you to someone,” he said, and I felt a jolt of surprise as I turned back to face him, a polite smile plastered across my face. All I truly wanted was to sit down and let the evening unfold, but it seemed fate had other plans.

“Sure,” I replied, though my heart sank a little at the thought of more socializing.

He gestured for me to follow, and I did, deliberately avoiding Gavin’s penetrating gaze. I had noticed him during my brief exchange with Alpha Levi; his dark eyes were like storm clouds, and his lips were pressed into a thin, disapproving line. The thought of him trying to thwart my interaction with Levi’s pack made me smirk internally, but I quickly stifled it with a cough as I walked past him.

We arrived at a young man who stood conversing with a small group. His back was to us, but he was tall, with a cascade of sleek black hair that flowed down to his shoulders—hair that would tempt any woman to run her fingers through it or braid it into intricate designs.

I stood beside Alpha Levi, and to my surprise, he placed his hand on the small of my back, holding me there with a firm grip on my hip. A wave of discomfort washed over me, yet I remained still, unsure of how to react.

“Theo,” Alpha Levi called, drawing the man’s attention. When he turned, I was struck by his forest-green eyes and the dimpled smile that seemed to light up his face. He had the classic pretty-boy looks that would undoubtedly make him popular with women. However, something about him screamed “womanizer,” and I sensed that he would be a formidable distraction in the weeks to come.

His smile widened upon noticing me, and I braced myself for the inevitable complications that would arise from this introduction.

“Alpha Levi,” Theo acknowledged, his gaze flicking between us as he bowed his head slightly. “What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to introduce you to Judy Montague,” Levi said, gesturing toward me. “She’s from the Redmoon pack.” He then continued, “Judy, this is Theodore Humphry, from the Darkmoon pack… my pack.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Judy,” Theo said, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips. The sensation of his warm lips against my skin sent an unexpected shiver down my spine, and I offered him a polite smile in return, though I felt a tinge of discomfort.

“You as well,” I replied, trying to maintain my composure.

I was unsure why Levi was facilitating this introduction, but I figured the reason would soon reveal itself.

“Theo is one of my top students,” Levi elaborated, his tone proud. “He’s going to be a tough one to beat.”

Theo beamed at the praise, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was some sort of psychological game.

“Is that so?” I asked, feigning interest while keeping my expression neutral.

“I had a good teacher,” he replied, his confidence radiating off him. “Are you here alone?”

The sudden shift in conversation caught me off guard, and I blinked at him, momentarily taken aback. After a brief pause, I nodded.

“Uh, yeah. My friend went elsewhere for dinner,” I explained, trying to gauge his intentions.

“You are here with just a friend?” he probed, his expression curious.

“Yes,” I confirmed, studying him intently. The way he spoke, the subtle shifts in his demeanor—everything about him was easy to read. I wondered if he would be just as transparent on the battlefield. It was clear I would have to face him at some point, and I needed to gather information on his fighting style.

Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, the food began to be served, and I turned back to Theo. He was watching me intently, his expression inscrutable, which made me feel a bit unsettled.

“I’m not sure,” I replied, my heart racing. Gavin wasn’t looking at me; his gaze swept over the room, filled with simmering rage. He glanced down at his plate, muttering something under his breath that I couldn’t catch.

Then, without warning, he stormed out of the room, not sparing a single glance back. My chest tightened with concern. I felt an overwhelming urge to follow him, to ensure he was okay and not heading into trouble. He was clearly upset, and his outburst had disrupted the entire gathering.

Staff members hurried to clean up the mess, while whispers erupted among the other Lycans, their curiosity piqued by Gavin’s sudden display of anger. Soon after, the aroma of food wafted through the air as the rest of the dishes were served, making my stomach growl, but I knew I couldn’t eat—not until I checked on Gavin.

“Excuse me for a moment,” I said to the table, rising from my seat. “I need to use the restroom.”

They nodded, and I made my way toward the door. Once I reached it, I quickened my pace, pushing through and stepping into the hallway. I glanced around, frowning as I wondered where he might have gone.

As I walked down the corridor, an unsettling silence enveloped me, almost as if it were deliberate.

It made me freeze in place; was someone watching me?

Before I could voice my thoughts, I felt a firm grip on my wrist. I spun around, my heart racing as I was pulled into a nearby closet, pressed against the wall. I recognized the familiar scent and the body that was now so close to mine.

“G…Gavin?” I stammered, my breath hitching.

“Oh, you remembered my name,” he sneered, his lips brushing against my earlobe as he nipped at it. I squirmed beneath him, attempting to free myself, but his grip only tightened, pressing me further against the wall.

“Gavin, let me go,” I demanded, my voice firm despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

“Why should I? So you can run off with Mr. Boy?” he spat, the anger and bitterness in his tone sending a chill down my spine.

Was this why he was upset? Because Theo was talking to me? A flicker of realization dawned on me—was Gavin actually jealous?

“You’re lucky I didn’t kill him right then and there,” he growled, his voice low and menacing, sending shivers through me.

He brushed his lips against the nape of my neck, and I felt my heart race uncontrollably.

“If I ever see his hands on you again…” he started, his voice gravelly as he brushed his lips against mine. “I’ll make sure it’s the last thing he does.”