The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 36

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 36: Setting New Boundaries**

**[Third-Person’s POV]**

Where on earth could she be?

As Alexander emerged from the bathroom, a sense of expectation washed over him. He had envisioned finding Evelyn nestled comfortably in her bed, a book resting gently on her lap as she lost herself in its pages. Yet, to his dismay, the room was empty, devoid of her familiar presence.

The Alpha felt a knot tighten in his stomach. It was incomprehensible to him that Evelyn would be wandering the halls at this hour, especially when he knew how much she cherished her nightly reading ritual. The flickering candlelight and the soft rustle of pages turning were her sanctuary, a world where she could escape and find solace.

Yet, he sensed a deeper disturbance within her. Initially, he had attributed her unease to the anxiety surrounding the Luna gathering. However, even after the event had concluded and they had returned home, her expression remained clouded with introspection.

Something significant had transpired during that gathering, and he was burning with curiosity to uncover the truth.

Casting a glance at the clock perched on the nightstand, Alexander grimaced. The hour was late, but it was not so late that Evelyn would have retreated to sleep elsewhere in the house. This realization meant he had to don his metaphorical mask and navigate his wheelchair through the corridors to search for her.

He replayed the conversation he had shared with his grandmother about revealing the truth to Evelyn—the truth about the accident and the extent of his injuries. He would tell her, he assured himself. When the moment was right, he would lay bare his secrets.

But for now, he would maintain his facade, determined to coax Evelyn into sharing her thoughts with him.

With purpose, he made his way toward the library, a place where Evelyn had spent countless hours in recent nights. Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, he surveyed the vast room filled with towering shelves of books, each one a potential escape for her. Yet, disappointment washed over him as he found it empty.

He tried to shake off the creeping worry that twisted in his gut.

Where on earth is she?

For the past week, the library had become Evelyn’s sanctuary, a second home where she immersed herself in volumes of knowledge. Apart from her attempts to refine her etiquette skills—something she had yet to divulge to him—there were numerous other topics that had captured her interest.

One thing he had gleaned from his discreet observations was her fascination with books about plants and their medicinal properties. While most women might be preoccupied with the latest fashion trends and celebrity gossip, Evelyn was different.

Her priorities lay far from the superficial. She focused on matters that truly mattered, and that was a trait he found profoundly admirable. Alexander considered himself fortunate, knowing that Evelyn was nothing like the other Lunas he had encountered, those who were often indifferent to their pack’s needs.

As he exited the library, he resolved to head toward his grandmother’s side of the house. Perhaps Evelyn was there, confiding in Wendy about her day. A part of him longed for her to share her thoughts with him, to open up about what weighed heavily on her mind.

Just then, he spotted Nina emerging from the kitchen, a look of concern etched across her features.

“Nina? What’s bothering you?” he inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

“Oh, sir. It’s nothing—well, I hope it’s nothing,” she replied, her tone lacking conviction.

Alexander’s irritation flared. That response did not sit well with him. Something was amiss, and he was determined to uncover the truth. When Nina realized he wasn’t going to let the matter drop, she finally relented.

“It’s Evelyn,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

His brow furrowed, and he struggled to keep the rising panic from seeping into his voice. “What about her?”

“I don’t think she’s in a good place right now,” Nina said, her eyes filled with concern. “The Luna gathering really affected her, and she’s trying to process a lot of things.”

“What sort of things?” he pressed, his heart racing.

Without another word, he hurried toward the back of the house, heading for the terrace. The lanterns cast a soft, ethereal glow over the garden, illuminating the path as he scanned the area.

Then, he spotted her—a slender figure emerging from behind a tall hedge. Evelyn.

His heart twisted painfully in his chest as he observed her. Good God. The poor girl looked utterly drained, as if the very essence of life had been siphoned from her. She shuffled along, her expression grave and contemplative.

It was hard to reconcile this weary woman with the vibrant, radiant figure who had glided down the staircase earlier, exuding grace and beauty. Now, she seemed like a shadow of her former self.

Though she had always been stunning, he found himself yearning for the lively spirit that had once illuminated her features.

Oh yes, something was undoubtedly troubling her. Nina had mentioned that Evelyn needed time to clear her mind, but it was evident that her solitude had done little to alleviate her burden.

A long moment passed before Evelyn finally lifted her gaze, her eyes locking onto his.

“It’s late. You should come to bed,” he said gently, hoping to coax her back to the warmth of their shared space.

“Is that a direct order?” she replied, her tone icy and distant.

Alexander’s heart skipped a beat, taken aback by the chill in her voice. Though her words lacked hostility, they were devoid of the warmth he had come to cherish.

“Not exactly. But I know you won’t feel your best tomorrow if you don’t get some rest,” he replied, trying to keep his tone light.

She regarded him with skepticism, her expression a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty, as if a thousand questions lingered just beneath the surface.