The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 58

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 58: Investigation**

In the quiet shadows of the room, Alexander found himself ensnared in a web of anxiety and frustration. It had been two long days since the shocking attack, and with each passing hour, he felt as though he were stumbling deeper into a fog of uncertainty, the answers he sought eluding him like wisps of smoke.

He was acutely aware of the turmoil brewing within him. The weight of his worry pressed heavily on his chest; he could hardly bear the thought of leaving Evelyn’s side—not even for a fleeting moment—while she battled the vicious aftereffects of the poison that had invaded her body. Yet, the demands of his responsibilities loomed over him like a dark cloud.

In a normal world, Evelyn would be in the greenhouse, nurturing her beloved plants, while he would be ensconced in his office, buried in his work. But these were not normal times. The chaos of their circumstances had turned their usual routines upside down. Thankfully, Oliver had proposed a sensible solution: why not move some of his work into the bedroom? At least there, he could keep an eye on Evelyn while attempting to juggle his tasks.

A small round table had been hastily arranged for him, its placement allowing him to steal glances at Evelyn whenever he needed. The sight of her, even in her current state, brought him a flicker of comfort amidst the turmoil. In the rare moments he could spare, he frequented the library, desperately searching for any scrap of information on Belladonna, the poisonous plant that had wreaked havoc on Evelyn’s health.

He learned that while Belladonna had potential medicinal uses, its unpredictability rendered it a dangerous choice. The symptoms Evelyn was exhibiting matched many of the side effects he had unearthed in his research, and they were alarming. Some of the reactions could linger long after the poison had been introduced into her system.

With a heavy heart, he fought to maintain his composure, though despair gnawed at him. He noticed the slight tremors in her body had lessened, yet the spasms still gripped her muscles unpredictably, a cruel reminder of her suffering.

Nights were the hardest. He would lie beside her, wrapping his arms around her, trying to offer solace. It was bittersweet; he had longed for her return, but this was not the reunion he had envisioned. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was often lost to the world around her, her consciousness flickering in and out like a candle in the wind. Since that first moment she had awakened in the bathtub, she had yet to fully return to him.

“Maybe this is for the best,” he thought, trying to convince himself. If she could fight this battle in her dreams, perhaps it would spare her the anguish of awareness.

Still, the Alpha within him could not quell the tide of worry that surged within. His work, once a structured routine, had devolved into a chaotic mess. Yet, there were pressing matters that demanded his attention.

“Any updates on the tea mixture?” he inquired, his voice low as he turned to Oliver, who stood nearby, careful not to disturb Evelyn’s fragile state.

Oliver nodded, his expression serious. “We’ve managed to isolate some components of the mixture, but without Evelyn’s expertise, it’s difficult to identify them with certainty.”

A sigh escaped Alexander’s lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. It was understandable; not everyone possessed the depth of knowledge in agriculture and herbology that Evelyn had cultivated over the years.

In the wake of this nightmare, a thought struck him. Perhaps it would be wise for his pack to undergo training in plant identification to prevent such disasters in the future. But then again, this had not been a mere accident, had it?

No. He recalled snippets from his conversation with Evelyn—there was a chance this was no accident at all, but a sinister scheme devised by someone with malicious intent.

Fiona…

He understood, to some extent, Evelyn’s reluctance to speak her name. Their history was fraught with tension, making Fiona a plausible suspect. Yet, they both knew that without solid evidence, their suspicions were little more than whispers in the wind.

But there was a troubling truth: Fiona was the only one legally permitted to possess Belladonna, as a registered medical physician.

“Oliver, did any of the dried herbs we sorted resemble this?” he asked, gesturing towards an illustration in one of his reference books.

Oliver scrutinized the image closely, his brow furrowing in concentration. “Yes, actually. We couldn’t fully identify one of the herbs, but it looked similar to this.”

An uneasy silence enveloped them as Oliver’s eyes widened. “Belladonna?”

Alexander met his gaze with a grim acknowledgment. “I believe Evelyn realized it was the poison as its effects began to manifest.”

Oliver’s face reflected a mix of astonishment and concern. “You have an inkling of who might be behind this, don’t you?”

“Possibly,” Alexander replied, his voice steady yet laced with uncertainty. “But proving it will be a different challenge altogether.” He paused, contemplating. “How has Fiona been adjusting to her return here?”

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