Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 18

Raven’s POV

I sighed in frustration as the alarm clock began its relentless buzzing.

“Ohh,” I muttered to myself, dragging the blanket off my body and forcing my feet to touch the cold wooden floor. Today was another dayanther chapter in this never–ending nightmare. But what could I do? I had to accept it. This was my reality now.

I shuffled over to the tiny sink in the corner of my room. My reflection in the mirror was a cruel reminder of what I had become. My hair, once shiny and full of life, now hung in tangled waves past my shoulders. My eyes, once bright, now looked dim, dulled by endless days of servitude and humiliation.

I picked up my toothbrush and squeezed out a bit of toothpaste onto it. As I brushed, I tried to block out the memories of the life I once had–the warmth, the laughter, the love. It felt like a distant dream now, one I could never return to. Each circular motion of the toothbrush seemed mechanical, like every part of my day: wake up, clean up, serve, repeat.

Rinsing out my mouth, I moved toward the bathroom next to the hallway. I had to be quick–if I wasn’t done before the others started waking up, I’d lose my only chance to shower in peace. The water was lukewarm at best, sometimes ice–cold, but I had grown used to it. I stepped into the shower, letting the stream of water wash over my skin.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to close my eyes and imagine I was somewhere else–somewhere warm, somewhere free. Maybe on an island where no one knew my name, where I didn’t have to bow my head to anyone. But the illusion faded as quickly as it came, melting away with the steam.

I scrubbed myself clean, quickly washing my hair with the cheap soap provided to the maids. There was no luxury here, no scented bath bombs or sweet- smelling shampoos. Just practicality. Efficiency. Survival.

Stepping out, I grabbed the rough towel hanging on the wall and dried myself off, goosebumps rising on my arms from the chill in the air. I wrapped the towel tightly around me and padded back to my small room, careful not to make too much noise.

My maid’s uniform hung neatly on the hook by the door. A black dress that fell just below the knees, paired with a plain white apron. I slipped it on, adjusting the sleeves and tying the apron around my waist.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to look in the mirror again. I gave myself a small nod, one of the few affirmations I had left.

“You’ve got this,” I whispered, even though I wasn’t sure I believed it.

By the time I made it to the kitchen, the sun was only just beginning to rise, casting golden streaks of light through the windows. The kitchen was quiet, which I was thankful for. I preferred to do my chores in silence before the Luna and everyone else woke up.

I grabbed an apron from the hook and tied it tightly around my waist, then began gathering the ingredients I’d need. The Luna–or should I say, my stepsister–liked a specific type of breakfast: poached eggs with avocado on toast, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a bowl of fruit with honey drizzled on top. She was picky, and I hated that, right from when we were little, and our father saw nothing wrong with it.

I cracked the eggs into a small bowl, adding a dash of salt before placing them into the simmering water. I reached for the ripe avocados, cutting them open and mashing the contents with a sprinkle of pepper and lemon. The smell was actually pleasant, but this was far from my problems.

As I waited for the eggs to cook, I started the orange juice. I turned the handle of the manual juicer, watching the bright liquid trickle into the glass container. The repetition of it calmed me in a strange way. At least here, in the quiet of the kitchen, I had some semblance of control.

With the toast crisping in the oven and the eggs nearly done, I began assembling the fruit bowl. I picked out the freshest berries, slices of melon, grapes, and added a generous drizzle of honey across the top. And a cup of coffee.

When everything was plated and arranged just right, I stepped back and looked over my work. It looked beautiful, even if no one would ever compliment me for it. My job wasn’t to be seen or appreciated. My job was to exist quietly and serve flawlessly.

I walked through the hallway and the way leading to the Luna’s room. When I got there, I took in a deep breath as I knocked on the door, but there was no response. I waited a little longer before turning the doorknob and went inside, but she wasn’t there. Just then, I heard the water running from the bathroom. I sighed in frustration as I carried the tray of food and stood there. Just then, a painting caught my eye–it was that of Alpha Ethan and Olivia, probably their wedding photo because they were dressed to match. I kept my eyes glued to the photo as tears filled my eyes, but I didn’t let them slip.

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1054 Thu, 17 Ju!

Chapter 18

This was supposed to be me, happy with

from me.

Just then, the bathroom door slipped open, and Olivia stapped out with a wet and cons

“Good morning,” I greeted her as I dropped the tray of food on the table the diverted but moved

brought.

“This is not what is on the menu for me today,” she spat at me with so much disgust in fron

“But… I wasn’t given any menu.”

“And should I take that as an excuse?” she asked, her tone sharp. “Im not eating any of this You wifes time according to the menu,” she said, moving over to her closet to get a dress

I stood there. There was no way I was going to get rid of this and prepare a new one

“You know what, Olivia?” I called out to her, this time not using her title. She turned immediately to face me

“I’m not taking this out, and you will have to deal with it,” I told her, though I almost regretted it. I knew Olivia She

drama.

“What did you just say?” she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I said, I’m not changing this. You mate-”

But I hadn’t completed my words when she took the cup of coffee from the tray and emptied the entire contents on me.

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