The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 354

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 354: Alpha Landry’s Weakness**

**Judy’s POV**

Welcome to my punishment, I suppose?

Was he genuinely going to deny me an orgasm simply because I had hidden from him? The expression on his face was a mix of amusement and determination, but I could see the seriousness lurking beneath that playful exterior. He was resolute; he truly wasn’t going to reciprocate. I rose from my spot, still completely bare, and pouted up at him, feeling both vulnerable and defiant.

“This is cruel and unusual punishment,” I protested, crossing my arms tightly across my chest, successfully shielding my breasts from his gaze.

A grin spread across his lips as he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, which sent a flutter through me.

“I never claimed to be a fair man,” he replied, his voice low and teasing. “Come on.”

He tugged me gently, guiding me until I found myself lying on the bed, the pillow cradling my back while the blanket bunched up around my feet. He draped the blanket over my naked form, covering me with a warmth that felt both comforting and infuriating.

Without bothering to dress, he circled the bed and settled in beside me, his presence radiating warmth.

“Sleep now. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow with your second match, and you need to be up early,” he instructed, his tone firm yet caring.

I knew he was right, but the frustration simmered within me, intensified by the lingering desire that he had so cruelly left unfulfilled. With a sigh, I rested my head on the pillow and turned away from him, trying to suppress the mix of emotions swirling inside. But of course, he didn’t allow me to wallow in my disappointment; he wrapped his arms around me, assuming the role of the big spoon, his face nestled in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent deeply as if it brought him solace.

What was that about? I pondered, but for the moment, I decided to let it slide. I closed my eyes, and within minutes, the exhaustion of the day washed over me, lulling me into a deep slumber.

**Third Person POV**

Nan stood frozen, her mind racing as embarrassment washed over her like a tidal wave. She had never witnessed a fight so raw and personal before; at least not one that didn’t involve wolves in their natural forms. This was different. This was not training or a territorial dispute; this was a man revealing his true self, and she didn’t particularly like what she was witnessing.

Tyler had blown a minor comment completely out of proportion. He left her momentarily to use the bathroom, leaving Nan alone amidst the concert crowd. It was then that a man approached her, initiating a conversation that seemed harmless enough. He was an older gentleman, his kind smile reminiscent of Chester’s, with a charming dimple that deepened as he spoke. Though he was easy on the eyes, Nan felt no romantic spark; she had just met him, and she sensed that he wasn’t interested in her that way either.

Their conversation flowed mostly around the band playing that night, with him sharing that it was his favorite. Nan, having only just discovered their music, piqued his interest further when he began to inquire about her own musical tastes.

As their chat was about to conclude, he spotted a friend—an attractive girl with a short skirt and pixie-cut blonde hair—whom he seemed to be waiting for. Nan assumed this was his date. He gave her a quick side hug, complimenting her beauty and urging her to keep smiling, having noticed her earlier frown. He had approached her with the sole intention of brightening her mood.

Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Tyler reappeared, his demeanor shifting dramatically as he began to yell at the man. Nan attempted to explain the situation, but Tyler was deaf to her words, his anger spilling over as he hurled insults at her, calling her names that cut deep.

The scene escalated into a physical altercation, and tears streamed down Nan’s cheeks as the security team rushed to break it up. The girl accompanying the man stared in shock, her cheeks flushed and mouth agape at the unfolding drama.

Never had Nan felt so humiliated as when the security personnel asked her to step outside with them. They informed her that she and Tyler were no longer welcome at the event. She tried to plead her case, but her voice was drowned out by the whispers and stares of onlookers.

Silence enveloped her as she sat in the car, waiting for Tyler to finish his discussion with the security team. Once they cleared him to leave, he slid into the driver’s seat, the tension thick in the air as he sped away from the venue, heading back to the resort. They were about thirty minutes away, and Nan’s stomach churned with a mix of emotions.

She fought back the urge to cry again, her gaze fixed out the window. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a stunning half-full moon and a blanket of twinkling stars that seemed to shine just for her.

The silence felt suffocating, and Nan feared she might be sick.

“I’m sorry,” Tyler finally broke the stillness, about fifteen minutes into the drive, his voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to face him, uncertainty swirling within her. What was there to say? This was only their second date, and they had known each other for merely three or four days, yet everything felt so tangled and complicated. Was this worth the inevitable heartbreak that loomed ahead?

“I saw him flirting with you, and I guess I just lost it,” he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. “I heard what he said… and I got scared.”

Tyler parked the car, and Nan unbuckled her seatbelt, her mind racing with thoughts of escaping into the night alone. But Tyler insisted on walking with her, claiming he didn’t want her wandering around by herself.

Once they reached her hotel suite, he boldly brushed his lips against hers, delivering a quick kiss. He asked to come inside, but Nan hesitated, explaining that Judy was inside and she didn’t want to disturb her.

With a reluctant sigh, Tyler gave her another brief peck on the lips before stepping back.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Nan exhaled a shuddering breath, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Why was she feeling so conflicted? Her heart and body were at war, pulling her in opposite directions. One part of her yearned to distance herself from Tyler, while another craved his closeness. And then there was her wolf, who only wanted her mate.

Confusion enveloped her like a heavy fog.

Seeing that Judy was absent from the room brought a frown to her face. Disappointment settled in; she had hoped for a comforting chat, but it was clear Judy was still with Gavin, likely not returning for the night.

With her thoughts weighing heavily on her, Nan decided to retreat to bed, seeking the solace of sleep.

Meanwhile, Alpha Levi sat in one of the resort’s late-night cafés, nursing a cappuccino while his book rested on his lap. He ignored the new presence that settled into the empty chair across from him, his focus unwavering on the pages before him.

“What news have you brought me?” Levi asked, his voice calm and collected, as if he were inquiring about the weather.

“She wasn’t at dinner, and Alpha Gavin left early. I think they are together,” came the reply, laced with urgency. “This means your suspicions were correct. It wasn’t just a one-night stand… they are actively sleeping together.”

Alpha Levi nodded thoughtfully, his fingers drumming a steady rhythm on the table as he stared down at his half-finished cappuccino. He had invested a considerable amount of time trying to uncover Gavin’s vulnerabilities, yet the man had shown no signs of weakness.

If Gavin was indeed involved with Judy Montague, that could potentially make her a chink in his armor.

“Continue to get close to her,” Levi instructed, his gaze finally lifting to meet the eyes of the person across from him. “I want to understand what makes Judy so special and why she seems to be quickly becoming Alpha Landry’s weakness.”