The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 257

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 257: Fighting The Rogues**

In the stillness of the night, Ethan found himself transformed into a powerful wolf, yet the journey to the rogue’s hideout felt interminable. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. The hideout itself was little more than a decrepit house, isolated in the heart of nowhere. Nearby, a few rogue villages could be spotted, but the most dangerous of them always kept their distance, preferring the embrace of solitude to indulge in their twisted desires. The mere thought of those filthy rogues laying their hands on what belonged to him ignited a fire of rage within Ethan.

His mind was a whirlpool of vengeance as he envisioned tearing out their throats, ensuring they would regret ever laying a finger on Judy Montague. In that moment, all rational thoughts vanished, eclipsed by the primal instincts of his wolf. The bond between his wolf and Judy was undeniable; she was still his mate, and he could feel her presence guiding him closer. Although he had a vague idea of where to find the rogues, the surroundings began to blur as he neared their lair. But his wolf, attuned to Judy’s scent, had no trouble honing in on her location with pinpoint accuracy.

As he approached the house, it loomed before him like a grotesque specter, nestled in the darkest recesses of the forest, shrouded in a fog that seemed to cling to the air. A foul swamp lay in the distance, and the stench of rogue filth permeated the atmosphere, making Ethan’s stomach churn. Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the bile threatening to rise and strode toward the entrance.

To his surprise, there were no rogues stationed outside, a lapse in judgment that he found infuriating yet fortuitous. With a surge of adrenaline, he crashed through the door, racing through the dimly lit interior in search of Judy’s scent. It was intoxicatingly strong, guiding him swiftly to the basement door, which he flung open before sprinting down the stairs.

Once in the basement, the overwhelming essence of Judy enveloped him, nearly bringing his wolf to its knees. But there was something more, an undercurrent of desire and lust that sent a jolt of confusion through him.

Holy shit.

Judy was in heat!

What in the world was happening? How could his mate be in such a vulnerable state, surrounded by unmated male rogues? The anger bubbling within him erupted when he heard their mocking laughter echoing through the basement. They sounded like a group of rowdy frat boys, reveling in their twisted fantasies.

“That aphrodisiac worked fast,” one of them cackled. “I call dibs first.”

“Relax, we’ll all get a turn with her…” another rogue chimed in.

Judy’s breathy gasps and her whispered pleas for release struck Ethan like a physical blow, igniting a primal urge to protect her at all costs. He could not allow these men to touch her; they would pay dearly for even contemplating it.

Suddenly, one of the rogues spotted him. “Holy shit! There’s a wolf!” he shouted, panic lacing his voice.

“Fuck, and he’s an Alpha,” another rogue hissed, fear creeping into his tone.

Without hesitation, one of the rogues shifted into his wolf form and lunged at Ethan, but Ethan was faster. He dodged the attack with ease, countering with ferocity as he clamped his jaws around the rogue’s throat, tearing through flesh and sinew. The taste of blood filled his mouth, a grim reminder of the violence he was willing to unleash.

“Fuck,” muttered the rogue closest to Judy, panic flashing in his eyes as he took a protective stance in front of her. This only fueled Ethan’s fury further, and he lunged at him, but another rogue intercepted, knocking him off course.

The two wolves clashed, growling and snapping, each vying for dominance.

“I mindlinked the others. They’ll be here soon!” the rogue near Judy warned, still in wolf form. Ethan longed to make him submit, to crush him beneath his weight, but the rogue he was battling was quick and strong, refusing to relent.

With sheer determination, Ethan finally gained the upper hand, breaking the rogue’s neck with a swift motion, leaving him lifeless on the ground. Without pausing, he turned his attention to the last rogue, who had shifted back to human form, seemingly preparing to fight. But to Ethan’s astonishment, the rogue leaped over him, racing up the stairs and out of the house.

Ethan pursued, adrenaline surging through him, but as he reached the top floor, the scent of approaching rogues hit him like a freight train.

Damn it!

They were coming, and he had no idea how many. He needed to get Judy out of there, and fast! He pivoted and dashed back down into the basement, where he found Judy writhing on the ground, her body flushed and her scent intoxicatingly alluring.

In a moment of clarity, he shifted back to his human form, acutely aware of his nakedness, but among shifters, nudity was hardly a concern. Just as he bent down to scoop Judy into his arms, a moan of pain caught his attention.

His heart sank as he turned to see Irene lying in a cage nearby. “Irene?” he gasped, rushing to her side.

He gently touched the side of her neck, feeling a rapid pulse beneath his fingers. She was unconscious, clearly drugged with wolfsbane. Panic surged through him, twisting his gut into knots.

“Shit, shit, shit!” he cursed, glancing between Irene and Judy.

He was faced with an impossible choice; he could only save one of them before the rogues arrived. Irene represented his future, while Judy was the one he yearned for in his heart. After a moment of agonizing deliberation, he made his decision, lifting Irene into his arms and cradling her against his chest as he bolted from the cage.

“Ethan…” Judy’s breathy whisper called out to him, making him pause. He turned, and his heart ached at the sight of her half-open eyes, filled with longing. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her and claim her as his once again, but the urgency of the moment pressed upon him.

“I’ll come back for you,” he promised, forcing the words out as he turned and raced up the stairs. He had to get Irene to safety; he couldn’t risk her life. Judy’s heat would draw the rogues like moths to a flame, and he couldn’t afford to let them find her.

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