Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Raven’s POV

I walked back to my room, my back sore from the numerous chores I had done earlier.

The pack house was quiet, shadows lengthening through the windows as dusk settled like a heavy blanket. I let the door fall shut behind me and exhaled deeply, dragging my aching body to the bed. As I sank onto the mattress, my thoughts churned with unease.

How was I going to tell Beta Matthew everything?

My stomach twisted. The lies, the half–truths, the secrets I had locked away for too long it all felt like a mountain pressing against my chest. He deserved the truth. But telling him would break something between us. I knew it.

And worse, once he knew, would he still see me the same? Would he hate me? Would he feel betrayed?

My mind screamed with a dozen possibilities when a knock broke the silence. I flinched, my heart jerking in my chest.

I didn’t want to see anyone, not now. But the knock came again, gentle but persistent.

“The door is open,” I called out, barely above a whisper.

The knob turned slowly. The door slipped open.

And there he was.

Beta Matthew.

His presence made the room feel smaller. My breath hitched as our eyes met. He didn’t say anything at first; he just closed the door behind him and walked in with a calm but unreadable expression.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low, warm. “How are you feeling?”

I managed a small smile, though it felt strained. “Tired. My back’s sore… from earlier.”

He frowned slightly and walked closer until he was beside the bed. “You’ve been overworking yourself again, haven’t you?”

“I had no choice. I couldn’t refuse the duties.”

“You’re not a damn machine, Raven,” he muttered, concern threading his voice.

I looked away, not wanting to see the pity in his eyes.

“Here,” he said after a moment, “let me help.”

My gaze snapped to his. “Help how?”

“A massage. Your back’s sore, right? Let me ease the pain.”

I quickly shook my head. “No, no, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. Really.”

But he was already pulling the chair away from the des

and motioning for me to turn around. “Don’t argue. Just relax, okay?”

I hesitated, my nerves buzzing. But his gaze was firm, yet gentle.

I slowly nodded and laid forward, stretching across the bed with my arms tucked under my chin.

The bed dipped as he climbed on, straddling me lightly. His hands pressed down on my back, and the pressure made me suck in a breath.

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Chapter 126

His fingers were warm and sure, moving in slow circles, kneading out the knots with expert precision.

I let out a soft sigh, tension melting from my shoulders.

“You’re way too tense,” he murmured, fingers gliding down my spine. “How long have you been carrying this much weight?”

Too long, I thought. So long that I forgot what ease even felt like.

He continued in silence, letting his hands speak for him. And for a few minutes, I let myself forget everything Alpha Ethan, Olivia, the bond that ruined my life, the past that haunted me.

But then I remembered why I needed to tell him the truth. I couldn’t lead him on any longer. He deserved honesty.

I shifted slightly. “Matthew,” I said quietly, “I need to tell you something.”

He paused. “Yeah?”

I sat up, gently removing his hands from my waist. My body was stillhumming from his touch, but my heart was racing faster.

I turned to face him fully, sitting cross–legged on the bed. He mirrored me, concern growing in his eyes.

“This might be hard to hear,” I began, “but I have to say it. I can’t keep hiding it from you.”

He tilted his head. “You’re scaring me a little. What is it?”

“I’m sorry,” I said, voice shaking. “Not because I don’t care about you. I do. But… I belong to someone else.”

His brows furrowed. “What do you mean? Like… you’re in love with someone else?”

I shook my head. “It’s not that simple. I’m not who you think I am.”

He looked at me, confused. “Raven, what are you talking about?”

“I’m not a rogue,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I’m the daughter of an Alpha. And… I’m Luna Olivia’s half–sister.”

His expression froze. “What?”

“I know it sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. My father… he had me with his mistress, which wasn’t his actual mate, but she died while giving birth to me he. And Olivia, she hated me for existing.”

Matthew stood abruptly and took a few steps back, staring at me like I had just shifted into something else.

“And there’s more,” I whispered, bracing myself. “Alpha Ethan, he’s my fated mate.”

Matthew’s jaw clenched. “No. No, that’s not possible.”

I nodded slowly. “It is. On our coming of age ceremony, I found out. My wolf felt it. But Olivia and my father… they used witchcraft to make his wolf believe she was his mate instead of me. That’s why he doesn’t know. Not until the spell fades.”

Matthew began pacing, his hands pulling at his hair “This is insane. Are you serious?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” I said softly. “I was scared. Scared of what everyone would think. Scared of losing you. But you deserve to know.”

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