The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 362

**TITLE: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 362: The Black Wolf**

**Judy’s POV**

It had been far too long since I had embraced the wild freedom of my wolf form and ventured into the hunt. The thrill of the chase, the primal instinct coursing through my veins—it was a sensation I had missed dearly.

Though my wolf was smaller than most, her senses were sharper, more attuned to the subtle whispers of the forest. As I prowled through the underbrush, her nose pressed close to the damp earth, she caught the tantalizing scent of prey wafting through the air, a promise of a meal that was still miles away. Each careful step was a dance of stealth, my small paws barely making a sound against the forest floor, ensuring that our approach remained undetected.

Suddenly, a twig snapped nearby, and instinctively, her head snapped around, ears perked, alert to the world around her. The soft mewing of a deer reached her ears, a sound that sent a thrill of anticipation through my wolf.

Without hesitation, she sank her white fur into the shadows of a nearby shrub, crouching low, her body trembling with barely contained energy as she awaited the perfect moment to strike. Her breathing slowed, becoming almost imperceptible, a testament to her focus and determination.

Just as the deer stepped into view, poised and unaware, my wolf was ready to pounce. But in a cruel twist of fate, another wolf—one who clearly wasn’t part of our team—burst forth from the thicket. He lunged with ferocity, his teeth sinking into the deer’s neck with deadly precision, ending its life in an instant.

The piercing screech of the deer shattered the serene silence of the island, a sound that sent a surge of fury coursing through my veins. My wolf mirrored that anger, her spirit ignited.

That was our prey!

I growled, a low, warning sound that reverberated through the trees, letting the intruder know I was there. I would not allow him to drag that deer back to his camp. I had spotted it first; it was rightfully mine.

The other wolf turned, his eyes narrowing, canines stained with the deer’s blood, a menacing sight that only fueled my resolve. He was larger, older—an imposing figure that could easily intimidate most, but I had never been one to back down from a challenge.

“But he will kill me if I’m not cautious,” I reminded myself, a flicker of doubt creeping in.

With Ethan’s absence weighing heavily on my mind, I noticed my wolf had become more vocal, her strength surging within me. She was a tightly coiled spring, ready to unleash her fury, and I struggled to maintain control over my temper.

We circled each other, each waiting for the other to make a move, a tense standoff that seemed to stretch on indefinitely. I was uncertain which team he belonged to, but his scent was unmistakably foreign to me.

His eyes flared with a menacing red hue, a clear sign that he was ready to attack. The thought of him taking the deer ignited a fire within me.

As he lunged, I instinctively dodged, my instincts kicking in as I whipped around and nipped at his hind legs, my teeth grazing his fur.

He retaliated, pulling away from my bite and snapping at my shoulder, his canines catching some of my fur in the process. Pain shot through me, but it only fueled my determination.

With a burst of adrenaline, I leaped onto his back, my teeth sinking into the soft flesh of his neck, eliciting a hiss of pain from him. My hind claws dug into his sides, raking against his flesh as he yelped in surprise, struggling to shake me off.

I tightened my grip, refusing to let go as he howled in frustration, swiping at me with his paws in a desperate attempt to dislodge me.

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting this wolf to be my first kill, but the taste of his blood filled my mouth, a metallic reminder of the battle we were engaged in.

As he finally collapsed to the ground, I released my hold, staggering backward, panting heavily. My fur was stained crimson, a stark contrast against the greenery of the forest.

I looked down at the fallen wolf, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He lifted his head to meet my gaze, and I saw fear reflected in his eyes, mingled with the turmoil of our clash.

He struggled to regain his footing, his stance shaky, and for a fleeting moment, I thought he might challenge me again. Part of me hoped he would; it would send a clear message to anyone who dared to cross me.

But instead, he turned and fled back into the depths of the forest, leaving me alone with the lifeless deer.

Though I had claimed victory in my first battle, it felt hollow. The deer lay dead, but not by my own doing.

I glanced up at the drone hovering above, a grin spreading across my face. I was in it to win it, and this was just the beginning.

With urgency, I shifted back into my human form, quickly retrieving my discarded clothes and hiding behind a tree to dress. Once I was fully clothed, I dragged the deer back toward the campsite where my teammates had set up.

“Nice job, Judy!” Sherry exclaimed, rushing over to assist me in hauling the deer toward the crackling fire.

“We heard some fighting. Was that you?” another teammate inquired, her eyes scanning my body for any signs of injury.

“Yeah, another team is nearby,” I replied, my voice low. “We fought for this deer.”

“And it looks like you emerged victorious,” Sherry said, giving me a reassuring pat on the back. “Our team is strong. I think we have a solid chance at winning this. We’ve already found one flag.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“Really?” I asked, intrigued.

“Absolutely! Tabby found it while fetching water at the freshwater pond. It was hidden in a cave behind the waterfall,” she explained, excitement bubbling in her voice.

Tabby blushed at the mention of her name, her hair dripping wet as she huddled close to the fire, shivering slightly.

“I thought I saw something unusual while I was there,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I followed my instincts.”

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