The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 396

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed
**Chapter 396: Harper’s Scene**

**Judy’s POV**

“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Harper’s voice rang out, loud enough to slice through the ambient noise of the restaurant, drawing every gaze in her direction—including mine. My heart raced as I followed the collective focus to the table where Nan sat, her posture rigid, with Chester across from her.

The sight of Nan’s tense expression sent a jolt through me. I had been aware of the plans for their date, and I even played a part in encouraging Nan to take this step with Chester. But I had never anticipated that they would choose this restaurant, nor did I foresee Harper crashing their moment like a storm.

“Harper, what are you doing here?” Chester’s voice was low, laced with a dangerous edge. It was a tone I had never heard from him before—he was usually so lighthearted, but now he sounded like a volcano about to erupt.

“What am I doing here? What the hell are you doing here?” Harper’s arms were crossed defiantly, her anger palpable. “I haven’t seen you in two weeks, and now I find out you’re on a date with another woman??”

Her words hung in the air, and I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. Did she really think she had any claim over Chester? He had found his mate, and he had made it abundantly clear to her that their relationship was over. I glanced at Nan, whose face mirrored a mixture of horror and disbelief, and my heart sank for her.

“I ended things with you weeks ago,” Chester reminded Harper, his voice steely. “Who I choose to go out with is none of your business. It never was… you were just a warm body to fuck, nothing more.”

His words were sharp, intended to cut through Harper’s delusions and reassure Nan about the nature of his past with Harper. Yet, the intended comfort had the opposite effect; I could see Nan’s cheeks flush with embarrassment and hurt, her struggle to hold back tears evident. Chester, however, was too engrossed in his confrontation to notice her distress.

“We’ve broken up before and always find our way back to each other. Chester, I love you! I chose you as my mate. When will you finally open your eyes and choose me too?” Harper’s desperation was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her misguided affections.

My gaze remained fixed on Nan, whose face was reddening with each word that fell from Harper’s lips. She flinched, and gasps rippled through the surrounding diners, each one feeling the weight of the uncomfortable scene.

“I will never choose you as my mate, Harper,” Chester growled, his voice rising in frustration. “When will you get that through your thick skull??”

“It isn’t fair!” Harper cried, her voice rising in pitch. “Why her? I know she’s your mate, but I’ve been here for you through everything. I stood by you when your mother passed… I cheered you on at culinary school. I helped you land your job at the Landry Mansion. I was there for every woman you brought home, every affair you had, and I barely flinched because I knew you’d always come back to me. Even after you met your mate and went out with someone else, you still slept with me that night!”

With each word, Nan flinched as if struck, but Chester was too consumed by the argument to notice the turmoil written across her face. She looked like she wanted to disappear, to escape the suffocating reality unfolding around her.

“Is that Nan?” My mother’s voice broke through my thoughts as she finally recognized the girl at Chester’s table.

“Yes,” I whispered, my heart aching for her. “She found her mate.”

“Oh, that poor girl,” my mother murmured, her voice filled with compassion. “To find her mate only to have this happen…”

I nodded, my heart heavy, as I turned my focus back to the escalating drama.

“I was the one who was always there for you, Chester. You told me I was the only one who truly understood you!” Harper’s voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks, while Nan fought valiantly to keep her composure. I could feel the weight of Nan’s heartbreak, and it made me want to scream at the injustice of it all. “You told me you could see a future with me!”

“I was drunk when I said that—” Chester began, but Harper cut him off, her voice rising in indignation.

“It doesn’t matter!” she snapped. “Drunk words are sober thoughts spoken aloud. You meant what you said; I could see it in your eyes. You love me, Chester!”

“I don’t!” Chester retorted, his wolf threatening to emerge as the tension escalated. “You have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“The hell I don’t!” Harper shouted back, her fury igniting. “I know you better than anyone—especially better than this hussy!”

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close to shield her from Chester’s view.

“Bathroom,” I whispered urgently. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Chester’s gaze met mine, and I could see the internal struggle raging within him. He was fighting his wolf, which was eager to lash out at Harper, while he desperately tried to maintain control. I felt a flicker of relief at his internal battle, but I knew Nan didn’t share that understanding. She interpreted his silence as a concession to Harper’s claims.

“Deal with this,” I urged Chester quietly, hoping to reach the man beneath the wolf. “Or you’ll lose her forever.”

Chester’s true eyes flickered with realization as he finally noticed Nan’s trembling form, her silent sobs begging for his attention. Panic washed over him, and I could see the anger and hatred he now directed toward Harper.

As we passed her, I leaned in and whispered, “If I were you… I’d start running.”

With that ominous warning hanging in the air, I guided Nan toward the bathroom. I slammed the door shut behind us and locked it, shutting out the chaos of the restaurant. In that moment, Nan crumpled, her body shaking as she sank to the floor, sobbing freely as all her pent-up emotions erupted.

I settled beside her, my heart aching for my best friend. I hated that this was happening to her; I loathed the fact that Harper was the catalyst for her pain. I had once hoped to maintain a friendship with Harper, but now, resentment and anger twisted in my chest every time I thought of her.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers trembling as I opened a text thread with Gavin.

I sent a simple message, hoping it didn’t come across as a demand, but I needed this situation to end.

Me: I need a favor.