The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 390

390 /400

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 390: Celebration Ceremony**

**Judy’s POV**

The air in the room felt electric, charged with anticipation and a hint of anxiety as Irene’s question sliced through my thoughts like a hot knife through butter. “So, what’s going on between you and my father?” she inquired, her eyes narrowing, causing my entire being to freeze in place.

It was the day after my monumental victory in the competition, and we were all gathered in my suite, preparing for the celebration that lay ahead. I could feel the flutter of nerves in my stomach as I contemplated the event; the idea of being the center of attention was not something I relished. Paparazzi were expected to swarm the venue, and I found myself dreading the onslaught of questions that would inevitably come my way. Would I be able to articulate my thoughts? Would my fellow competitors offer me words of kindness, or would they turn their backs in disdain?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the anxious thoughts swirling in my mind, and turned my focus back to Irene, her question echoing in my ears. “What do you mean?” I replied, my brow furrowing in confusion. “There’s nothing going on between your father and me.”

“Oh, please,” Irene scoffed, rolling her eyes with an exaggerated flair. “I saw the way you two interacted earlier. There was palpable tension. Seriously, is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine,” I insisted, attempting to sound nonchalant, although I could feel the tension in my voice betraying my facade.

“Are you sure about that?” Irene pressed, her eyebrows arching in skepticism. “It seemed pretty hostile between you two.”

I frowned, shaking my head defiantly, just as Nan emerged from the bathroom, her presence a welcome distraction.

“I’m positive,” I affirmed, my voice steadying as I tried to convince both myself and Irene.

“Are we almost ready to go?” Nan interjected, glancing between us with a knowing look. “The celebration is about to start, and Judy is the star of the show.”

A blush crept up my cheeks at her words, and I turned to the mirror one last time, smoothing the fabric of my dress down with my palms, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Okay, yes, I’m ready,” I breathed, finally facing them with a determined smile.

“Chester said he’ll arrive later with Matt,” Nan mentioned, linking her arm through mine as we made our way out of the room.

“How are you and Chester doing?” I inquired, my curiosity piqued as we stepped into the hallway. “You seem to be getting along better.”

She let out a soft sigh, her expression turning contemplative. “It’s still complicated, but I agreed to go out with him once we return to our territory. Baby steps,” she explained gently, her voice laced with hope.

“I’ve known Chester for quite some time; he’s worked for the family at the North mansion for ages. He’s a good guy, despite his reputation as a player. I think he had a rough breakup once, which is why he’s been hesitant to open up,” Irene added, her frown deepening as she caught both of our attention.

This was new information to me, and judging by Nan’s expression, it was news to her as well.

“A breakup?” I ventured, my curiosity ignited as I realized Nan was too absorbed in her thoughts to ask.

Irene nodded, a hint of sadness in her smile. “Yeah, I forget her name; it didn’t matter to me at the time, but Chester was utterly smitten with her,” she recalled, shaking her head as if trying to shake off the memory. “She broke his heart and shattered whatever trust he had left in women. Ever since then, he’s been sleeping around, refusing to let himself commit.”

A lump formed in my throat as I imagined Chester, once so full of life, reduced to a shell of himself after such betrayal. I couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t confided in me. We had been friends since I moved into the mansion, long before he discovered my best friend was his fated mate. Why would he keep such a significant part of his life hidden from me?

The journey to the ceremony was steeped in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. I could see the worry lines etching deeper into Nan’s forehead, her mind clearly preoccupied with the implications of what Irene had shared.

As we stepped into the celebration, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. I was immediately engulfed by a flurry of paparazzi, their cameras flashing like lightning as they clamored for my attention. It seemed I would never escape their relentless pursuit until I satisfied their curiosity with answers.

Fortunately, Alpha Levi and Alpha Jeremy were there to shield me from the crowd, assuring the reporters that I would address their questions later. They guided me toward the other competitors, who were mingling in their elegant attire, champagne flutes in hand, laughter and conversation swirling around us like a vibrant tapestry. Most of them appeared to have fully healed; some were even participants from the very first round, like Chrissy, Alpha Levi’s daughter, who had been eliminated early on.

Before the competition commenced, I had encountered Chrissy and her entourage in the bathroom, where they had attempted to intimidate me, but their efforts had fallen flat. She was surrounded by the same friends, laughter bubbling up among them, with Chrissy clearly basking in the spotlight.

“Judy!” A familiar voice called out, and my heart swelled with joy as I spotted Tabby rushing toward me.

She looked stunning in her maroon dress, which hugged her curves perfectly, and her pixie-cut hair framed her face beautifully. A radiant smile lit up her features, a stark contrast to the last time I had seen her on the arena floor, where she had been injured and whisked away by medics. I had been so concerned for her well-being, but now she appeared to be thriving.

“Tabby!” I exclaimed, closing the distance between us and enveloping her in a warm embrace. “I’m so relieved to see you’re okay.”

“I can’t believe you won!” she squealed, her excitement infectious. “I’m so thrilled for you! Of course, I’m bummed about how and when I lost, but I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to fight alongside you. You truly deserved this victory.”

“Your words mean the world to me,” I replied, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “This whole experience feels surreal, like a dream I might wake up from at any moment.”