The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 44

**TITLE: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 44: Walk To Me**

**(Evelyn’s POV)**

The room, once thick with tension, now buzzed with laughter, a sound that seemed to lift the heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders. It was as if the joyous notes had swept away not just the palpable anxiety but also the sharp, painful strain that had settled deep within my legs and feet. Shifting my weight back onto my heels, I leaned against the wall, seeking the solid support it offered.

After what felt like an eternity, Alexander finally regained his composure. He cleared his throat, a calm gesture that somehow filled the space with a sense of authority. “Again, I think you’re putting too much thought into this,” he began, his voice steady and reassuring. “You’re so worried about the possibility of falling that you’re not allowing yourself the chance to find your balance.”

I inhaled shakily, my gaze drifting down to the precarious death traps strapped to my ankles—those heels that felt more like instruments of torture than footwear.

“Try again,” he instructed firmly. “This time, I want you to keep your head up and your eyes forward.”

The task seemed daunting, almost insurmountable. I was not the type of person who typically kept her head down while walking. Yet, here I was, struggling with shoes that felt more like weapons than fashion statements.

But determination surged within me, urging me to prove my doubts wrong, to confront my fears head-on. I turned back around, focusing on the opposite wall as he had advised. Taking a deep breath, I began to move forward, each step a small battle against my own insecurities.

Remember, Evelyn. You’re crafting a new version of yourself. Someone who walks into a room with confidence, who knows how to carry herself with poise. Someone who doesn’t stumble or trip over her own feet. Oh, God!

“Ah!”

In an instant, everything changed. One moment I was walking, feeling the rhythm of my steps, and the next my right heel caught on something—some unseen obstacle—throwing me off balance. My knees buckled, and before I could comprehend what was happening, I was plummeting toward the floor.

“Evelyn!”

Instinctively, I thrust my hands out in front of me, bracing for the impact as I hit the ground.

“Ow,” I muttered, the sting of the fall echoing through my body.

“Shit,” Alexander cursed under his breath, rushing to my side with a sense of urgency. He reached out, his hand hovering, ready to assist me. “Are you alright?”

I winced, hoping the rug burn on my arms wasn’t too glaring. “I don’t know what just happened,” I admitted, my voice tinged with confusion.

**(Third-Person’s POV)**

From his vantage point, Alexander understood precisely what had transpired. He had observed Evelyn with keen eyes as she navigated the opposite side of the room. She had been making such progress until he noticed her right heel snagging on the corner of the carpet.

His heart plummeted the moment he saw her knees buckle. Instinctively, he wanted to leap from his wheelchair and catch her before she hit the ground, but he was acutely aware of the limitations of his own body.

It would have been an incredibly complicated explanation if he were to stand up now. He longed to tell her the truth, to share the reality of his situation, but the moment never seemed right.

Clenching his jaw, he bit back a curse as he watched her attempt to catch herself on the way down. Instead of rising, Evelyn gracefully turned to sit, facing him with a defeated expression.

“I don’t think I’m able to do this,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

“A moment ago, you were doing it,” he replied, trying to inject some optimism into the situation. “Had it not been for that damn carpet, you would have made it to the other side of the room.”

“But you told me to keep my head up and my eyes forward. What would have happened if I had fallen in front of a room full of people?” she shot back briskly, frustration lacing her words.

She had a valid point. Even if he had been able to catch her, what would that have meant in front of others?

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” she continued, her voice rising with indignation. “I can walk in normal shoes, for crying out loud. Why on earth would I even attempt to wear heels like this in the first place?”

Alexander could see the hurt and anger swirling in her eyes. Her frustration was not just aimed at him; it was a reflection of her own struggle and disappointment with the situation. A swell of empathy filled his heart as he realized he felt deeply for her.

“Because if you can master walking in these, then you can walk in anything. Heels force you to maintain proper posture and align your back. You can’t hunch your shoulders too much, or else you risk toppling over.”

“How do you know all this?”

A sheepish grin crept across his face. “Growing up, my grandmother insisted on teaching etiquette to both boys and girls. She believed it was essential for me to understand the sacrifices and challenges that both sides faced.”

“Well, she did an incredible job,” Evelyn acknowledged, her tone lightening.

With newfound resolve, Evelyn rolled back onto her knees and carefully pushed herself back to her feet. Alexander seized the opportunity to roll himself to the farthest part of the room, creating a safe distance for her.

“What you did before was commendable, but you didn’t seem entirely focused,” he pointed out.

“You’re right. I got lost in my thoughts, and before I realized it, my feet were moving on autopilot.”

“Alright, this time I want you to focus solely on me. Don’t look anywhere else in the room—just at me. Ready?”

She inhaled deeply, determination flickering in her eyes. “I think so.”

“Good. Now, walk to me.”

Heat spread across her cheeks as she locked her gaze onto Alexander, and she couldn’t help but notice the intensity in his eyes, reminiscent of the moment she had stumbled out of her bathroom wrapped in that towel.

Before she knew it, Evelyn had crossed the room, each step confident and steady, without a single error or misstep. She had done it—all because of him.

With a proud smirk, Alexander congratulated her, his voice warm and encouraging. “Good girl.”