The War God Alpha’s Arranged Bride Novel

---- Chapter 285 [Evelyn's POV] | really tried not to let the whole matter bother me. | was fairly sure that | wasn't the only person to exist that wasn't trainable. Still, | felt horrible knowing that | had wasted Erik and Thomas' time. Every muscle and joint in my body was aching and for what? | couldn't even say that the pain was worth it. Spending all morning in front of that damn punching bag only resulted in me feeling exhausted and defeated. | trudged back to the house for a much-needed shower while gently rubbing the pads of my thumbs into my aching wrists.

| had no idea how I was going to be able to work in the greenhouse when my hands were so sore. What was worse was that | had no idea how | was going to ever face either Erik or Thomas after. But | just couldn't do it. | couldn't bring myself to willingly throw a punch at someone who had never done anything to hurt me or threaten me-even if it was just pretending. Yet, | had absolutely no problem pressing a broken shard of glass to Samantha's face not too long ago. ---- I let out a loud breath and shook my head. "There's something wrong with me," | grumbled.

| made my way up the patio steps and through the back main doors. | heard a few muffled voices further down in the hall as | moved along. | briefly squeezed my eyes closed and hoped that it was just a few of the staff and not Alexander. He'd been nothing but supportive through the whole idea of me beginning training. | wasn't sure it was in me to face him and tell him how poorly it went. As quietly as | could possibly be, | rounded the corner. | kept my head tucked down close to my chest, doing my best to go unnoticed. So close.

Just a few more feet and I'm- "Evelyn?" "Damnit," | mumbled under my breath. | lifted my head to find Alexander and Oliver glancing at me with curious looks. "Hello," | greeted, feeling terribly awkward. Alexander gave a curling look of amusement. "How was training? I'm surprised to see you back so soon." "It was...Enlightening." ---- "Oh?" "| don't think it's going to work out," | told him. Instantly his brows furrowed as he tried to close the space between us. He came to rest his hand on my hip. It was a reminder that | wasn't alone to face whatever bitter feelings were eating away at me.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" | shook my head and held up my hand, trying to wave off the discussion. "Quite the opposite, actually." | could tell from the puzzled look on his face that he wanted a better answer than that. "Look, | feel gross and sweaty. I'm going to go take a shower." | pulled out of his anchoring touch and finally made it to the bedroom. | snagged a fresh pair of clothes and headed straight for the shower. Turning on the water, | waited a few moments for the temperature to heat up before stepping under the stream.

| braced my hands on the wall in front of me and let the hot water work some of the aches out of my muscles. At least there was something to level out of the pain that | felt in my chest. | was disappointed in myself and | wasn't sure if there was any way | could work around this mental barrier. While | was deep in thought | hadn't heard either the bathroom ---- door or even the shower door open. Someone was clearly in there with me, yet | didn't feel an ounce of concem. My instincts knew who it was