The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 35

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 35: Troubled Thoughts**

[Evelyn’s POV]

I really should have just gone to bed.

My body felt like it was weighed down by lead, and my feet throbbed with every step I took. Yet, the mere idea of retreating back to that infuriatingly empty bedroom, shared with a man who seemed to want nothing to do with me, filled me with a deep sense of displeasure.

Yes, I was exhausted—both in body and spirit. When I had finally returned to the bedroom, I had painstakingly unfastened the intricate laces of my dress, each tug a reminder of my frustration, before slipping out of it and heading to the bathroom for a much-needed shower.

As the hot water cascaded over me, soothing my aching muscles, I found myself wishing it could wash away the weight of the last several hours as well. If only it could cleanse my mind of the hurtful words flung at me like daggers.

Once I emerged, wrapped in my usual attire, I felt a flicker of relief. The dress, though undeniably beautiful, could not compare to the comfort of my leggings and soft cardigan. They felt like a warm embrace, a reminder of who I truly was beneath the layers of expectation.

For a long moment, I stood there, staring at my bed, contemplating whether I should just lay down and surrender to sleep. But the very essence of the room—the lingering scent of Alexander, the shadows of our unspoken tensions—made my feet drag me toward the door instead.

Space. That’s what I desperately needed. A chance to breathe and gather my thoughts. I didn’t know where I was headed, but I was certain it had to be as far away from Alexander as possible if I wanted to clear my mind.

Why should I even care about Fiona’s opinions on my marriage to Alexander? In the grand scheme of things, the only two people who truly mattered were him and me!

A part of me chastised myself for not going to find Alexander, for not confronting him so we could talk through our issues. I could have been the mature adult in this situation, the one to bridge the gap of worry and doubt that loomed between us.

However… I knew Alexander well enough to understand that he was not one to easily open up about his feelings, especially when it came to his past with Rena and the very foundation of our marriage. The likelihood of him being willing to share those intimate details was as slim as Fiona ever treating me with kindness.

As I stood there, my feet finally coming to a halt, I found myself in the kitchen. The corner of my lips turned up slightly, a small smile breaking through the haze of my thoughts. It seemed my subconscious was nudging me toward a warm cup of tea, a simple pleasure that might ease my frayed nerves.

I was somewhat grateful that the kitchen was mostly deserted at that hour. As I set the kettle on the stove, my hands braced against the cool countertop, I let my mind drift back into the whirlpool of my thoughts.

“…Everyone practically knows that you’re being completely cold-shouldered by your own pack…”

Fiona’s cruel words echoed in my mind, a relentless reminder of the insecurities that gnawed at me.

“…Yeah, and why do you think he chose to keep such a big piece of news from his own pack? Maybe it’s because even in his physical state, Alexander is embarrassed and ashamed of having to marry someone like you…”

Her venomous remarks were meant to wound, but instead, they sparked a fire of doubt within me. Our relationship was so fragile, so limited, that I had very little to bolster my own arguments.

…That gentle, perfect Luna Princess, Rena… Alexander’s first love and unforgettable ex. How could I ever compete with her?

The whispers of their past relationship had always seemed like mere gossip to me, a collection of idle chatter among the staff. But how much of it was true?

From what I could gather, Rena had left Alexander for the Alpha Prince when he was still just an emerging figure, not yet the renowned War God he had become. The thought of him being left heartbroken twisted painfully in my chest. Had he fought tooth and nail to keep her?

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