The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 359

**TITLE: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 359: You Better Not Die**

**Gavin’s POV**

I found myself pacing restlessly within the confines of my room, a storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. Fresh from the shower, I stood there clad only in my boxers, droplets of water cascading down my skin, each one a reminder of the turmoil that brewed within me. My fingers raked through my damp hair, and I watched as the water pooled on the floor beneath my feet. It was like my anger was a living thing, coiling tightly in my chest, while my wolf stirred uneasily, eager to break free and run wild. But I held him back, aware that his current state was precarious, and I feared what might happen if I unleashed him now.

Mica’s words echoed relentlessly in my mind: she was moving on to the next round. Logically, I should have felt a swell of pride for her; that was the purpose of her participation, after all. Yet, happiness eluded me. The reality was stark—she was heading into the death matches. If she was as stubborn as I knew her to be, she could very well end up dead before this competition reached its conclusion.

A soft knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I froze, my gaze hardening as I stared at the barrier between us. I recognized Judy’s presence even before I opened the door. With a firm grip, I yanked it open, nearly wrenching it off its hinges in my haste. There she stood, her eyes glued to the floor, cheeks flushed with a crimson hue that made my heart race.

Dressed in a delicate black lace nightgown, I couldn’t help but wonder if she had chosen it specifically for me. Her hair was swept back, but a few rebellious strands had escaped, framing her face in a way that gave her an endearing, disheveled look.

My body reacted instinctively at the sight of her, desire coursing through me like wildfire. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my room, to lose myself in her until dawn broke. But I fought against that urge, reminding myself that this moment was not about physical pleasure. I needed her to understand that I believed moving on to the next round was a terrible idea. I wanted her to go home, away from danger.

I stepped aside, allowing her to enter without uttering a word. Once she was safely inside, I closed the door behind her and locked it with a definitive click. I noticed her flinch at the sound, and a deeper frown creased my brow. Was she truly afraid of me now?

She turned her back to me, her gaze still fixed on the floor, and I couldn’t help but take in her figure. She walked with a sense of normalcy, indicating that her wolf had healed her significantly since earlier.

I moved around her until I stood directly in front of her, narrowing my eyes in a silent challenge. Yet, she continued to avoid my gaze. For a fleeting moment, I felt like a father preparing to chastise his daughter, and that thought made me cringe. I relaxed my posture, trying to dispel the tension.

“I think you should go home,” I finally said, my voice lacking its usual strength, sounding almost defeated—like I was pleading rather than commanding.

Her eyes shot up to meet mine, wide with surprise as she searched my face for any sign that I was joking. I rolled my eyes at her expression and crossed my arms over my chest, inadvertently adopting a more paternal stance. But I quickly uncrossed my arms, clenching my fists at my sides instead.

“What do you mean?” she challenged, narrowing her eyes at me, defiance radiating from her.

“Next week is a death match, Judy. You aren’t in any shape to compete,” I stated firmly, my frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

“The doctors cleared me; I’m fine,” she retorted, her brows knitting together in irritation. “Even Alpha Jeremy said I was good to go for next week. I’ll be fully healed by tomorrow.”

“It’s too dangerous,” I replied, my jaw tightening with every word. “You could have died today. Next week will be even worse because they will actually be trying to kill you.”

She scoffed, clearly unimpressed by my concern.

“Thanks for the boost of confidence,” she muttered under her breath. “Look, I’ve been cleared, and I’ve been chosen. That’s not an opportunity I’m going to pass up, Alpha.”

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