The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 364

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 364: Leave**

In the dimly lit viewing room, the atmosphere was thick with tension as the Lycans and the judges fixated on the screen, where the competitors battled fiercely for their very survival. Gavin’s gaze was locked onto Judy, his heart racing as he watched her engage with the other wolves, each moment a perilous dance that brought her close to death’s door. The urge to leap onto that island and rescue her clawed at him, a visceral instinct that he fought to suppress. He understood the stakes; any rash move would arouse suspicion, turning the world’s eyes toward him and jeopardizing everything he had worked for.

Every time Judy found herself in a precarious situation, his fists tightened into hard balls, then relaxed, only to clench again in a futile rhythm of anxiety. Now, as she ventured into a shadowy cave, the drones lost their signal, and with it, his connection to her. Panic surged through him, a maddening spiral of helplessness. He was losing her, and the thought sent a chill down his spine.

Across the room, Alpha Levi’s keen eyes flickered between the screen and Gavin, taking note of the tension radiating from him. A smirk played on his lips, for he found amusement in Gavin’s visible discomfort. It was clear that the man was not enjoying the unfolding drama, and Levi relished the power that came with that knowledge.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, breaking his concentration. He snatched it up and swiped through the notifications, his interest piqued by an email from Ethan. It contained juicy details about the Landry corporation, including Gavin’s investments and deals with shareholders. But what truly caught Levi’s attention was a line that hinted at something more clandestine.

Money is being transferred to a secure and unknown account.

Levi’s brow furrowed as he lifted his gaze, scrutinizing the back of Gavin’s head. What could possibly warrant such secrecy? What was he up to?

Closing the email, Levi swiftly sent a text to one of his subordinates, attaching a screenshot of the suspicious transfer.

Levi: Find out where this is going and report back to me ASAP.

Without waiting for a response, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and opened a mindlink, the connection buzzing with energy.

“How’s it going there?” he inquired, his tone steady yet demanding.

“So far, so good. I already saved her once,” came the familiar voice in his mind. “But she’s going into a cave now. Should I follow her?”

“Just ensure she stays alive. I need her for my future plans, and losing her would derail everything,” he instructed firmly.

“Will do. As long as I’m here, she’ll remain unharmed.”

With that, the mindlink faded, leaving Levi to resume his watch, eyes glued to the screen, anticipation coiling in his gut as he awaited the next turn of events.

Meanwhile, at the Silver Crescent pack, Irene found herself meeting Stella for the second time in just a week. The weight of unspoken truths hung heavily in the air, for she had yet to confront Ethan about the revelations that had shattered her perception of him. The man she thought she knew was nothing more than a facade, twisted in his desires, urging Stella to dispose of a baby while throwing money at her like she was trash. It was a betrayal that left her feeling sick, gnawing at her insides as she contemplated the countless women who might have faced the same fate.

Her heart ached at the thought of how many lives Ethan had toyed with. She had stood by him, defended him, only to have him betray her in the most despicable way. He wasn’t her fated mate, yet her wolf still felt the sting of heartbreak, retreating into the shadows of her mind, consumed by the weight of her despair.

Ethan had shattered her heart, and now, vengeance simmered beneath her skin. She needed to uncover his true intentions, for it was clear he had a motive beyond mere affection. Perhaps it was her lineage—being the daughter of Gavin Landry—that had drawn him in, his ambition to become the Alpha of the Redmoon pack driving his every action.

Irene longed for Judy’s presence; she needed to confide in someone who understood. Judy had always seemed to know more than she let on, and Irene craved that insight. But guilt gnawed at her for wanting to unleash her frustrations on Judy, who had her own battles to fight.

The things she had done… her father would be horrified if he ever found out.

Stella was already at the coffee shop when Irene arrived, and the first thing that struck her was the pallor of Stella’s face, the dark circles under her eyes betraying a lack of sleep. It was evident that both women were in the throes of their own turmoil. Irene, too, had been restless, her nights plagued by Ethan’s presence and the weight of their fractured relationship. He had attempted intimacy just once that week, but she had shut him down, claiming she wasn’t in the mood. The very thought of him in her bed made her skin crawl, and he had retreated to his own home, their conversations dwindling to nothingness.

Typically, she would have immersed herself in wedding planning, but the mere idea felt impossible. Her gaze fell to the ring on her finger, a symbol of a love that had turned sour. She knew she would have to remove it soon, yet a stubborn part of her clung to the hope that the man she loved still existed beneath the layers of deceit.

It was a bitter realization to accept: there would be no wedding.

“Thank you for meeting me again,” Irene said as she settled into the booth across from Stella, their previous spot. This time, neither of them felt like ordering anything; the weight of their conversation stifled any appetite.

Stella nodded, her eyes vacant as they stared down at the table.

“Something told me I didn’t have a choice,” she replied quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You found my apartment. It scared me.”

Irene felt a pang of guilt. She had tracked Stella down, her men locating the rundown apartment where Stella lived within the Redmoon pack. The images they sent her had made her stomach churn; it was no place for a child to grow up.

She had left a note for Stella, requesting another meeting at the coffee shop, unsure if Stella would even show. But here they were, and part of her felt relieved.

“I’m sorry I had to track you down like that,” Irene said, her voice softening.

Stella shrugged, her demeanor a mix of fear and resignation.

“I thought it was Ethan who sent them to find me. After I told you everything, I figured you went to him, and now he was after me,” she murmured, tears pooling in her eyes.

Irene’s heart twisted at the sight of Stella’s trembling lip, the fear evident in her posture. Ethan’s threats had clearly left their mark, and it made her stomach turn to think of the hold he had over her.

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