The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 38

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed

**Chapter 38: Withdrawals**

In the quiet confines of his office, Alexander wrestled with a tumult of emotions. What on earth was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he summon the focus necessary to tackle the mountain of paperwork that lay before him?

For over an hour, he had been staring, unblinking, at the same disheveled stack of papers. Not one had been read, nor had any been signed. The weight of his inadequacy pressed down on him, a familiar ache that had resurfaced since his painful breakup with Rena. It was maddening to think that his connection with Rena had been more profound than what he shared with Evelyn.

He sighed, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. Perhaps if he had gotten a decent night’s sleep over the last few days, he wouldn’t be drowning in this fog of distraction. But could he really blame Evelyn for his current state?

Yes!… No…

He expelled a harsh breath, slumping forward over his desk, burying his face in his hands. God, he needed to find a way out of this chaotic mess that had enveloped him.

No matter how hard he tried to sift through the turmoil, he found himself spiraling back to the very beginning of their issues. The words Evelyn had spoken the night she suggested they sleep in separate rooms echoed endlessly in his mind, each repetition like a cruel reminder of their fractured relationship.

“I know that our marriage was a match made by a third party, and that you and I have very little emotional connection to each other… I will do my utmost to care and provide what is necessary for my role as Luna… But when it comes to just you and me… Maybe we don’t need to pretend to be more than what we are…”

And just what were they, exactly?

Merely husband and wife on paper, nothing more.

Alexander was acutely aware that their situation didn’t have to remain this way. Evelyn was astute; he had recognized that from the outset. She likely knew all too well about the history he shared with Rena. Yet, she had never brought it up, displaying a kindness that left him feeling both grateful and guilty.

Every word she had uttered that night contained a grain of truth. Yes, their marriage was arranged, and their emotional connection was tenuous at best, but was that really the catalyst for her desire to distance herself even further?

Evelyn had certainly kept her promise. The very next morning, she had swiftly gathered her belongings and moved into one of the guest rooms without a hint of hesitation. He had deliberately chosen not to witness the transition, unable to face the reality of what was happening.

It didn’t take long for Oliver to track him down, his eyes wide with urgency as he relayed the news.

“S-Sir, are you aware that Evelyn… That she’s—”

“Yes, Oliver. I’m aware that she’s moving into another room. Can we please not dwell on this? It was a decision we made together.”

Well, not together, really. I had been too tongue-tied to counter her argument.

Days had slipped by since then, and Alexander felt as if he were trapped in a fog that refused to lift. Each night, he lay in the darkness, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions that refused to settle.

He found himself glancing over at the empty space where Evelyn should have been, a phantom presence that only deepened his sense of loss.

When his frustration peaked, he thought he could immerse himself in work, losing himself in the familiar rhythm of productivity.

After all, when he had lost Rena, he had become a relentless workaholic, pouring every ounce of his energy into expanding and strengthening his pack. But now, with Evelyn, he struggled to muster the motivation to tackle even the simplest tasks.

On the plus side, he wasn’t in the midst of expanding his territory, but rather managing what he already had.

He contemplated increasing security along the borders to prevent any rogue attacks, a simple task that required him to draft an order and have Oliver relay it to the guards. Yet, the mental block remained, and all he could hear were Evelyn’s words echoing in his mind.

“…When it comes to you and me… You and me… You and me…”

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