**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 383: Levi’s Offer**
**Judy’s POV**
Even though my parents had shared the uplifting news that they would soon return home, an unsettling tension coursed through me. My wolf was restless, a storm brewing beneath the surface, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. I tried to dismiss it as mere pre-competition jitters, but deep down, I sensed a more profound anxiety gnawing at me. Tomorrow marked the final round of the competition, a decisive moment that could alter our lives irrevocably. My wolf was fierce and unyielding; convincing her to yield would be a formidable challenge, if not an outright impossibility.
“Are you alright?” Nan asked, her keen eyes catching the turmoil etched across my face. I was grappling with the struggle to maintain control over my wolf, who seemed to be thrumming with unease. Something was definitely off, and it gnawed at me.
I offered a nod, determined not to burden my best friend with my internal chaos.
“Yeah, I think I just need some fresh air,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced like a wild stallion in my chest.
Nan nodded, a slight frown tugging at her lips as she watched me step out of the hotel suite. I appreciated her decision to remain behind; I craved solitude, a moment to gather my scattered thoughts and calm the tempest within me before it spiraled out of control.
However, I didn’t even make it outside before I was interrupted.
“Miss Montague,” Alpha Levi’s voice rang out, and I turned to find him striding towards me, his presence commanding. “Do you have a moment to talk?”
A frown creased my brow as I contemplated what he could possibly want. He was the orchestrator of this competition, so perhaps it was related to that.
“Of course, Alpha,” I managed to respond, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” His gaze bore into mine, searching for something I couldn’t quite grasp.
I nodded, although uncertainty lingered in my mind.
“Yes, Alpha,” I replied, though doubt crept in. “As ready as I can be.”
“Good to hear,” he said, surprising me with a warm smile. “I have high expectations for you tomorrow. I chose you for a reason, and that reason is my unwavering belief in your abilities. Your presence will undoubtedly strengthen the Elite team.”
“That’s only if I win, Alpha,” I reminded him, a hint of apprehension in my voice. “There are no guarantees.”
He nodded thoughtfully, his expression serious.
“Regardless, I’d like to extend an offer for you to join the Elite team in our pack,” he said, catching me completely off guard.
My jaw nearly dropped. Receiving an invitation to the Elite team before even winning the competition was monumental. Yet, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind—did I truly want to work under Alpha Levi instead of Gavin? Gavin hadn’t offered me any position yet, and uncertainty loomed over whether he ever would.
For now, I knew I needed to keep my options open and seize any opportunity that came my way.
“Wow, that’s a tremendous honor,” I said, my mind racing with implications. “But are you certain I’m the one you want? There are plenty of other remarkable candidates.”
“None possess what you do,” he replied, sincerity etched on his face. “You are an extraordinary individual, and it would be my privilege to have you on the Elite team. I still want you to give it your all tomorrow, but remember, in my eyes, you’ve already won.”
A smile tugged at my lips, warmth spreading through me.
“Thank you, Alpha,” I said, bowing my head slightly in respect. “That truly means a lot coming from a Lycan.”
He nodded, his eyes sparkling with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. I chose not to dwell on it; the longer we conversed, the more my wolf writhed with impatience. She was eager to break free and shift, but I knew that was a risk I couldn’t take. I was her anchor, and the thought of her unleashing herself was daunting.
“Think over my offer and let me know soon,” he said, extending his hand for me to shake.
I reached out, and he took my hand gently, raising it to his lips. The kiss was delicate, and his gaze held mine, something flickering in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. As he released my hand, his fingers lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
“Until next time,” he said, turning away and leaving me in a daze.
I was still processing the weight of our conversation when I stepped outside. The resort was quiet; most guests were either dining or enjoying other activities. The cool night air brushed against my warm skin, and the moon hung lazily in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the beautiful resort grounds.
“I want my mate back,” he declared, his wolf flashing in his eyes, a hint of desperation in his voice. “And I won’t back down without a fight.”
“Give it up,” I countered, shaking my head in disbelief. “First, you cheat on me, then you ask me to be your mistress… now you want me back? You’re delusional if you think for a second that I would ever consider taking you back.”
I turned away from him, finally understanding why my wolf had been so restless. With clarity in my mind, I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I headed back inside.
“Do you really think Gavin Landry cares about you?” he called after me, causing me to freeze momentarily. “He doesn’t care about you at all, Judy. Not like I do.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I shot back, my voice low but fierce.
“I know you’re sleeping with him,” Ethan continued, stepping closer. I refused to turn around, but I could feel his presence looming. “I can sense it just as you can feel when I’m with others. I know you care for him… maybe even falling for him. But he doesn’t feel the same way, Judy. To him, you’re just a quick fling. No strings attached.”
In a flash of anger, I spun around and slapped him hard across the face. His head jerked to the side, and I saw the flash of red in his eyes.
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” I hissed, my voice trembling with rage. “You know nothing about anything. Leave me alone, Ethan.”
With that, I stormed back inside, leaving him standing there, watching me retreat.
I didn’t stop until I was in the elevator, ascending to the top floor. Once I stepped out, I made my way toward my room but hesitated outside of Gavin’s door. I stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath before knocking softly. I wasn’t sure what I was doing; it was late, and it felt reckless, but the urge to talk to him was overwhelming. So much had transpired that day, and he was the only one I truly wanted to confide in.
I knocked again, my heart racing.
I waited with bated breath, hearing shuffling noises, and then the doorknob turned. When the door finally opened, my heart sank.
A woman stood before me, clad in nothing but a robe, her tousled blonde curls framing her face as she offered me a small, knowing smile, a glimmer of something in her eyes.
“Can we help you?” she asked, her tone casual, but the implications hung heavily in the air.

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