The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 351

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 351: Distrust**

**Judy’s POV**

“Whoa!” The sound echoed in the gym as I pounded my fist into the punching bag, feeling the impact reverberate through my arm. My forehead glistened with sweat, and a few droplets trickled down the back of my neck, a reminder of the intensity of my workout. I lifted my boxing gloves once more, delivering another blow to the bag, and heard a muffled “Oof” from the other side.

“Sorry,” I called out, trying to regain my focus and will my body to calm down.

Tabby peeked around the bag, her expression a mix of concern and scrutiny. “Everything okay? You seem a bit off today,” she remarked, her eyes narrowing as she assessed my demeanor.

Today was the day after the first round of the competition, and my mind was anything but clear. While Group A was busy with their second round, my group, Group B, was anxiously awaiting our turn tomorrow. This Wednesday felt heavier than usual, and I desperately needed to release some pent-up frustration, especially after my conversation with Nan.

It had only been a couple of hours since I last saw her, and I was still grappling with the words I wanted to say. I felt a pang of guilt for how I had reacted to her choices regarding Tyler. It wasn’t fair of me to judge her; I understood she was navigating her own pain and confusion over Chester. I knew she was using Tyler as a distraction, but despite my understanding, my emotions had spiraled out of control.

“Hello?” Tabby waved her hand in front of my face, breaking through my thoughts. I blinked a few times, squinting at her as I tried to shake off my foggy mind.

“Did you say something?” I asked, my voice slightly distant.

She rolled her eyes, exasperated. “You need to get your head back in the game,” she said, crossing her arms defiantly. “This is serious, and you can’t afford to be distracted.”

“Since when did you become my coach?” I shot back, a playful smirk on my lips. “Aren’t we supposed to be competing against each other?”

“True, but I like you, and I don’t want to see you get hurt,” she replied, her expression softening slightly. “These last two weeks are going to be brutal. We need to stay laser-focused if we want to make it through.”

She was right, and I knew it. Leaning against the wall, I took a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow down.

Tabby studied me for a moment longer, her lips pursing in contemplation before she took a step closer. “Do you want to talk about it?” The sincerity in her voice and the kindness in her eyes were hard to ignore.

“No,” I admitted, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

She nodded, accepting my response, but then a thought seemed to strike her. “How about we go watch Group A’s second match together?”

I felt a spark of eagerness at the suggestion. “Yes,” I answered, a hint of excitement in my voice. I was eager to witness the next match; my group wouldn’t be fighting until tomorrow, and I was itching to see who would advance to the next round.

When we arrived at the arena, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. I scanned the crowd, searching for the one familiar face I knew would be there. My heart fluttered slightly when I spotted Gavin, seated with the other Lycan Chairmen, the judges positioned in front of them, ready to assess the competitors.

His expression was stoic, his gaze fixed on the participants as they prepared for battle in the center of the arena. Unlike the previous match, this time they were armed with weapons.

“Oooh, we get to use weapons this round!” Tabby exclaimed, her excitement palpable. “I wonder if we get to choose them ourselves.”

“I’m going to grab a drink. Do you want anything?” I asked, my eyes lingering on Gavin. When he caught my gaze, his expression darkened, sending a shiver down my spine.

“No, I’m good,” Tabby replied, moving closer to the battlefield, eager to get a better look at the action.

“Okay,” I said, reluctantly tearing my eyes away from Gavin as I made my way toward the drink stand.

Thoughts of Nan crept back into my mind. I had no idea where she was, and anxiety began to bubble within me. Most likely, she was with Tyler, and that thought twisted my stomach in knots. I didn’t trust him; something about him felt off, like a shadow lurking just out of sight. I considered calling Chester, hoping he could talk some sense into Nan or at least keep her safe. But I knew Nan would be furious if I intervened, and I didn’t want to overstep my bounds. I had to respect her choices, even if I didn’t agree with them.

Lost in my thoughts, I wandered through the crowd, barely noticing my surroundings or the people moving around me. Suddenly, a warm hand grasped my wrist, pulling me into a solid chest. Before I knew it, I was pressed against a wall in a secluded corner, my heart racing as I looked up into Gavin’s intense gaze.

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