Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Reven’s POV

My blood ran cold at the sight of her.

I wasn’t ready—not yet. I hadn’t prepared myself for the confrontation, not like this, not in front of everyone.

“Is that how you show respect to your Luna?” she said sharply, her voice slicing through my frozen thoughts like a blade. Her tone carried authority, but caught the underlying current of bitterness.

My eyes snapped back to hers. “You haven’t changed one bit since the last time I saw you,” I muttered, voice low but steady, though I felt anything but.

She didn’t answer–just smirked, a cruel twist of her lips that made my heart tighten.

“Are you supposed to be standing there gawking or helping the other maids prepare dinner?” she added, her voice laced with mockery.

I flinched. The words stung, not because they were harsh, but because they were hers.

I stared at her, frozen in place. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, threatening to fall, but I refused to let them. I had trained myself for this. For years, had built armor around my heart, carved strength into my bones, and buried every soft part of myself deep beneath the surface.

I wouldn’t break now. Not in front of her.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and ran.

The hallways blurred as I moved quickly through them, each step echoing with the hollow ache in my chest. I didn’t even know where I was going–all i knew was I had to get away.

“Damn that head maid,” I muttered under my breath as I slowed my pace. “Couldn’t even bother to show me where the kitchen was…”

I turned another corner and stopped abruptly.

A young maid walked towards me, balancing a woven basket full of fresh vegetables. She was petite, with soft brown curls tucked under a scarf, her face

open

and kind. She looked surprised to see me, but not intimidated. That was a relief.

“Excuse me,” I said quickly, trying to keep my voice even. “Do you know where the kitchen is?”

She smiled, adjusting the basket on her hip. “I was just heading there now. You can come with me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you.”

We walked in silence for a moment. The corridor was quieter here, the thick stone walls absorbing most sounds. After a while, she glanced at me sideways.

“I’m Lira, by the way. I haven’t seen you around before.”

I hesitated. “I’m Revan. I just arrived today.”

Her eyes lit with curiosity, but she didn’t ask questions. Instead, she smiled again. “First days are always the worst. But ti

maid might bark orders, but she has a soft spot for anyone who can peel carrots faster than her.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. It felt strange–foreign–but warm.

“She’ll love me then,” I said. “I used to cook a lot… before.”

Lira nodded, as if she understood. Maybe she did.

chen’s not so bad. The head

Chapter 14

We entered the kitchen through a large wooden door that creaked slightly on its hinges. The scent of herbs and sizzling oil filled the air instantly, wrapping around me like a long–lost memory. Several maids moved around the space, chopping, mixing, and stirring. The room was alive with warmth and purpose.

The head maid stood near the hearth, overseeing a bubbling pot of stew. She was round and stern–looking, her silver–streaked hair tied back tightly, and her hands flour–dusted.

“Lira, finally,” she called. “Those greens better be fresh.”

“They are,” Lira said brightly, setting the basket down. “And this is Revan. She’s new and wants to help.”

“I know her,” she replied almost immediately. “She is the new Luna’s personal maid,” she replied to Lira. “You know how to cook?” she asked me.

“Yes,” I said firmly.

She nodded, gesturing toward a table. “Start with the potatoes. We need them peeled, chopped, and in that pot in ten minutes.”

I slipped into the rhythm easily. My hands moved with remembered grace as I reached for a knife, the soft scrape of blade against skin almost soothing. My mind quieted as I worked, the ache in my chest easing just a little.

Lira joined me a few minutes later, slicing onions and humming a soft tune.

“You weren’t lying,” she said, watching me. “You’re fast.”

I shrugged. “It’s easier than dealing with-” I stopped myself.

She tilted her head but didn’t press. Instead, she nudged me playfully with her elbow. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Most new maids cry on their first day.”

“I nearly did,” I admitted.

She grinned. “That just means you’re honest. You’ll do just fine.”

For the first time in what felt like hours, I felt like I could breathe. The fire crackled, the stew simmered, and my fingers moved with purpose. I could do this. I had done worse and survived.

The head maid approached again, tasting from a wooden spoon. “Hmm. Good. Revan, you’ve got hands meant for the kitchen. Lira, get her a proper apron and knife–she’s earned her place.”

I blinked. Just like that?

Lira beamed. “Told you. You’ll do just fine.”

I smiled back.

The sun dipped lower outside the kitchen windows, casting golden light across the counters and hearth. The aroma of baked bread mingled with herbs and broth, and the buzz of camaraderie filled the air.

For the first time since arriving at the pack house, I didn’t feel so alone.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally finished preparing the meal.

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