The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 348

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 348: Nan’s Spiral**

**Judy’s POV**

Time seemed to freeze for Tabby as her gaze landed on Gavin, who was seated beside me, leaning casually against the sturdy trunk of the tree. Her eyes widened in shock, and I could see the flush creeping up her cheeks, painting them a deep crimson. In an instant, she averted her gaze, her focus shifting to the ground as if it held all the answers to her unspoken questions. Gavin, quick to react, shifted away from me just in time—thankfully, Tabby remained unaware of the moment we had shared, yet the tension in the air hinted that she had stumbled upon something significant, even if she couldn’t quite grasp what it was.

“Alpha…” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, the embarrassment evident in her tone. “I didn’t know you were over here…”

As Gavin rose to his full height, an aura of authority enveloped him, radiating power that was palpable. There was no mistaking his status; he commanded respect without uttering a word. Tabby’s eyes widened further, and I noticed her body tremble slightly, a clear indication of how overwhelming it was to be in the presence of such raw power—especially for someone unaccustomed to it.

“I came to check on one of the recruits,” he stated, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her. The intensity of his gaze felt like daggers, and I could sense the unspoken threat lurking beneath the surface. I felt a pang of concern for Tabby; she had always been nothing but kind to me, and I admired her resilience. But now, under Gavin’s watchful eye, she appeared like a frightened pup, and my heart ached for her. I understood that Gavin’s presence could be intimidating, even if it wasn’t his intention.

“We should head to the medic,” I interjected quickly, wanting to diffuse the tension. “Before the line gets too long. It’s first come, first serve, right?”

Tabby nodded, her gaze still fixed on the ground, as if it were the only safe place to look.

“There are plenty of medics available,” she replied softly, her voice barely audible. “But they’re filling up fast with competitors. Everyone wants to get in and out as quickly as possible.”

I nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of urgency.

“Alright, then let’s move,” I urged, turning to walk towards the treeline, my heart still racing from the encounter.

But I froze for a brief moment, acutely aware of Gavin’s penetrating gaze on the back of my head. I turned to him, forcing a polite smile as I performed a mock bow. “Thank you for your assistance, Alpha Landry,” I said, allowing a sly grin to slip onto my lips as I bowed my head again in a playful manner.

He held my gaze for a moment, and I could see the wheels turning in his mind as he chose his words with care.

“I’ll be seeing you,” he finally said, and with that, I nodded once, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation as I followed Tabby out of the dense forest.

As we emerged from the trees, the first familiar face I spotted was Nan’s. She rushed toward me, her arms flinging around me in an exuberant embrace.

“You were absolutely badass!” Nan squealed, her excitement palpable. “I honestly thought you were going to crash and burn!”

“Honestly, I thought so too,” I admitted, a nervous laugh escaping my lips.

“Nice job,” a voice chimed in, and I turned to see Tyler standing there, a smirk on his face. I hadn’t noticed him until he spoke, and now he stood beside Nan, his hand resting possessively on her shoulder. He was taller than her, with broad shoulders that hinted at strength, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his physique suggested he was likely quite fit. A flicker of uncertainty danced in my mind as I glanced at Nan; her demeanor seemed tense, and I could sense that his touch made her uneasy.

It should make her uneasy; after all, she had a mate. Sure, things were rocky between her and Chester at the moment, but still…

Then again, who knew what Chester was doing right now?

“Thank you,” I said, forcing a smile despite the knot of concern tightening in my chest.

“The moment I saw you soaring through the sky, I knew I had no chance against you,” Tabby laughed, her voice lightening the mood. “Honestly! Anyone who can do that and live to tell the tale is definitely not someone to mess with.”

“Yeah, and now everyone else will see that too,” Nan added proudly, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “You’ve marked your territory. Own it, girl!”

“Might not be a good thing,” Tyler interjected with a casual shrug, his tone shifting the atmosphere.

“What do you mean?” Nan asked, her brow furrowing as she looked up at him, curiosity tinged with concern.

“Now there’s a target on her back,” he replied, his expression darkening. “They’ll only try harder to eliminate her from the competition… or worse.”

“They can’t kill me without being disqualified,” I reminded him, trying to keep the mood light.

He shook his head slowly, a frown creasing his features.

“Only for the first week. This week is to prove that you have what it takes. Next week, things will get real. You can win in two ways… the first is if they surrender.”

“And the second?” Nan asked, her brows drawing together in concern.

“And the second, they die,” he finished bluntly. “It’s going to get more dangerous. You just need to stay vigilant.”

I felt a surge of frustration bubbling within me; who did he think he was? He didn’t know me or the challenges I had faced. I wanted to tell him to back off, to leave us be, and to urge Nan to send him back to wherever he came from. But before I could voice any of those thoughts, a new voice broke through the tension.

Disappointment settled in my chest like a heavy weight, and I struggled to mask my feelings.

“Oh, that’s okay,” I told her, forcing a smile that felt strained.

“But hey, how about you go with us?” Nan blurted out, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. I could tell she genuinely wanted me to join, and this was her way of inviting me. I was about to agree, not wanting my friend to experience something she clearly wouldn’t enjoy alone, but Tyler chimed in once again.

“I only had one extra ticket,” he said nonchalantly. “And the seats around us were taken. Her going would be pointless.”

I watched as Nan’s shoulders slumped, disappointment washing over her features. I tried to maintain a positive expression, smiling at her in encouragement.

“It’s alright. Have fun tonight,” I reassured her, even though my heart ached for her.

She nibbled on her lower lip, nodding as if trying to convince herself it was okay.

When we finally reached the clinic, I hugged Nan goodbye, leaving her with Tyler as I stepped into the waiting room. It was crowded with shifters who had just completed their rounds, many of them displaying blood spots, bruises, and gashes that told tales of their battles. It was a grim sight, yet there were a few individuals who bore no marks at all.

To my surprise, the wait wasn’t nearly as long as I had anticipated. The clinic was staffed with numerous medics, allowing them to move swiftly through the crowd of anxious competitors. My session lasted only about twenty minutes. They conducted thorough checks—a full body scan, bloodwork, assessments of bruises and scratches, breathing tests, and even eyesight tests. Once they finished, they jotted down notes on a clipboard and handed me some antibiotics and vitamins for good measure.

Once I was done, I stepped out of the clinic alone. I wasn’t sure where Tabby or Sammy had gone, but I welcomed the solitude, if only for a moment. I needed time to clear my head; my thoughts were swirling around Nan and the situation she was entangled in. I was genuinely worried about her; she seemed to be spiraling, and I didn’t like the influence Tyler had on her.

I wanted to give them both the benefit of the doubt, but there was something about him that set off alarm bells in my mind. I considered confiding in Chester about my concerns, but the thought of hurting him made my heart ache. He would be devastated if he knew.

As I walked into the forest, the scent of fresh pine filled my lungs, and a gentle breeze caressed my cheek. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to absorb the tranquility of my surroundings without the need to see. I ran my fingers along the rough bark of a nearby oak tree, seeking strength and energy from its ancient presence.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my hip, pulling me into the embrace of someone incredibly strong, a scent that made my mouth water enveloping me. His front pressed against my back, and even with my eyes closed, I knew exactly who it was.

Then, he whispered, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins.

“Don’t move.”