The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 394

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
*By Sophia Reed*
**Chapter 394: Family Reunion**

**Judy’s POV**

The moment had arrived.

As I drove up to my parents’ house, a wave of anxiety washed over me. It had been months since I last laid eyes on my father. We had returned to the territory late last night, and after a brief stop at the mansion to catch some sleep, I felt an overwhelming urge to see my family. I headed straight to the house that Gavin had purchased for them, an act of kindness that had surprised me, given my father’s stubborn nature. He had been released from prison after Gavin cleared his debts, but I often wondered if my father had truly agreed to it or if he had simply felt he had no other option.

Prison had been a hellish experience for him. I could still picture the horror of what I had learned: how they tortured him, pushing him to the brink of death only to revive him and start the cycle all over again. All of this was orchestrated by Ethan, whose manipulative nature had turned the guards and inmates against my father. Just thinking about it made my blood boil; I loathed Ethan for the pain he inflicted upon my family, and I was resolute in my determination to make him pay for it. I felt a flicker of relief that Irene had finally recognized the monster she had once been engaged to and had the sense to sever ties with him.

Holding my breath, I raised my hand and knocked on the door, a nervous knot twisting in my stomach. It felt absurd to be knocking; this was my home too, after all. I had grown up here, and despite the fact that the Cash family had owned it for a brief period, I doubted they had ever truly stepped inside. They had only bought it to antagonize my family, a petty move that had only fueled my resentment towards them.

As the door swung open, I was greeted by the sight of my mother, her face etched with a deep frown.

“Why on earth are you knocking?” she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight embrace that felt like a warm cocoon. “Oh, sweetie, how we’ve missed you! We are so unbelievably proud of you! I always knew you could do it!”

“You were watching?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper, still taken aback by her enthusiasm.

“Of course!” she exclaimed, ushering me inside and shutting the door behind us. “The entire pack was glued to their screens. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole shifter world was watching you!”

Heat rushed to my cheeks at the thought of so many eyes on me, my face plastered across their televisions.

“There she is,” I heard my father’s deep voice resonate from the living room as he entered the space. A slight limp marked his gait, and his face bore the remnants of the brutal beatings he had endured. The swelling was a painful reminder of the tortures he had faced, and I could sense that his wolf was still in the process of healing him, struggling to mend the severe injuries before addressing the minor ones.

My heart sank as I took in his frail form; he looked so thin.

“Dad…” I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes.

In an instant, I rushed into his arms, and he enveloped me in a warm embrace that made me feel like a little girl again.

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m okay,” he murmured, his voice soothing as he tried to comfort me. “You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”

“Were they starving you?” I asked, pulling back to examine him more closely, the tears streaming down my cheeks betraying my concern.

“Among other things,” my father replied, his voice low and pained. “But it’s nothing you need to trouble yourself with. I promise, I’m okay…”

My mother stepped forward, her expression grim as she folded her arms across her chest.

“We’re not going to let them get away with this,” she declared, her voice steady and fierce. “What the Cash family did was unacceptable.”

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, my heart racing. She knew about the Cash family’s involvement in his arrest.

“How did you find out?” I asked, bewildered. “I mean… how did you piece it all together?”

She narrowed her eyes at me, a hint of frustration evident in her gaze.

“My question is, why didn’t you tell me?” my mother countered, her voice firm. “I would have never made a deal with them had I known their manipulations.”

“Because you idolized Ethan,” I reminded her gently. “I didn’t want to burst your bubble. I’m sorry I kept it to myself, but he’s a monster, Mom. They all are.”

Her expression softened as she nodded, anger flickering in her eyes.

“We know that now,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“How did you come to know?” I pressed, eager for answers.

“Beta Taylor called,” my father interjected, his voice steady. “He informed me that Gavin Landry wanted to pay off the debt I owed. Initially, I was inclined to refuse, even in my weakened state, but then Taylor laid everything out for me. He explained Ethan’s manipulations and how he had used you as a pawn to get what he wanted… how he blackmailed you… how this debt was unjust and that they had the power to waive it. I wasn’t foolish enough to deny his help.”

I nodded, my mind racing, my stomach still churning with unease.

“I see,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, Dad. I worried about you every single day.”

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