Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Chapter 228

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Reven’s Pov

“Come in, kids, it’s time for dinner,” I called as I bent down to pack their scattered toys from the porch. The sun was dipping low, spilling a golden hue across the sky, the last strands of daylight clinging stubbornly to

the clouds.

My twins, Lucian and Lyra, were still running in circles, their laughter echoing around the yard like little bells of joy that I never got tired of hearing.

“Just five more minutes, Mama!” Lucian called, his curls bouncing as he tried to catch his sister. He always thought he could outrun her, though Lyra was just as fast.

I sighed, a soft smile curling on my lips. “No, Lucian. No more minutes. You’ve both had enough playtime. Come inside now. You need a shower before dinner, remember?”

They slowed, reluctant, dragging their feet toward the door. “But Mama…” Lyra pouted, her big eyes widening in a way that always tried to weaken my resolve.

I crouched and gathered them both with one arm, pressing a kiss to the top of their heads. “You’ve played enough today. Tomorrow is another day. Now let’s wash up and eat before your food gets cold.”

Their little shoulders slumped in surrender, and I chuckled at how dramatic they could be at such a young age. My babies were growing so fast. Too fast. Sometimes, when I looked at them, it was almost impossible to believe that five years had passed already.

Five years since the world fell apart. Five years since I thought I would never breathe again. And yet, here I was, whole in ways I never imagined possible because of them.

And because of Derrick Without him, I wasn’t sure I would have survived those endless nights when grief clawed at me, when I woke up drenched in sweat and tears, screaming into the silence. He had been my anchor, my shoulder, and my strength.

And the twins… oh, my perfect little angels. They were the only proof I needed that love, no matter how broken, could still create something beautiful.

I ushered them into the bathroom, helping them undress. Their giggles bounced off the tiled walls as I turned on the warm water.

“Mama,” Lyra asked suddenly as I rinsed the soap from her hair, “when is Daddy coming back?”

The question caught me off guard, though it shouldn’t have. My heart skipped. For a moment, I froze, staring at her round face, water trickling down her cheeks.

She looked so much like me, yet there was something in her eyes that reminded me of a past I had buried deep.

I cleared my throat, forcing a smile. “He’ll be back today,” I answered softly.

Her smile widened, innocent and trusting. “Yay! I can’t wait.”

18:54 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 228

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Lucian perked up, splashing water. “Daddy’s coming home?”

“Yes, baby. He is.” I said, my voice catching slightly.

It always warmed me to hear them call Derick “Daddy.” They had no idea about another man, another father, someone who had given them life but never gave them love. I had never told them about him, and I didn’t regret it. To them, Derick was their father. Their protector. Their everything. And that was enough.

As I scrubbed their little arms, my wolf stirred within me, her voice soft but questioning. Will you ever tell them the truth, Raven?

I pushed the thought aside, tightening my grip on the towel. Not now. Maybe never. They’re happy. Isn’t that all that matters?

When I finished bathing them, I dressed them in fresh pajamas and sent them off to the dining table. “Go on, sit and wait. Dinner’s ready. And remember, tomorrow is school. I don’t want anyone waking up late.”

“Yes, Mama,” they chorused, racing toward their chairs.

I smiled, shaking my head as I cleared the bathroom. Just as I was folding the towels, a sharp knock echoed from the front door.

My heart skipped again, but this time for a different reason. Who could that be?

Wiping my damp hands on my dress, I walked quickly to the door. When I opened it, the breath left my lungs in a rush.

“Derick…”

He stood there, suitcase in hand, his tall frame filling the doorway. A grin stretched across his face as he took in my stunned expression.

“You didn’t tell me you were close,” I whispered, my voice trembling with relief and joy as I threw myself into his arms.

His arms wrapped around me instantly, firm and warm, grounding me in ways only he could. “I wanted to surprise you,” he murmured against my hair. “Surprise you and the kids.”

Tears prickled my eyes as I pulled back just enough to search his face. My Derrick. My constant.

I reached for his suitcase, helping him inside. Before we even made it past the hallway, the twins spotted him.

“Daddy!” they both screamed in unison, racing toward him.

Derick dropped the suitcase, crouching just in time to scoop them into his arms. Lyra clung to his neck while Lucian buried his face into his chest. I couldn’t hold back the small tears that slid down my cheeks as I watched them.

The man I once thought I didn’t deserve, the man who wasn’t their blood yet loved them as if they were his own–he was home.

18:54 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 228

“Daddy, we missed you so much!” Lyra said, her voice muffled against his shirt.

“I missed you both too,” he replied, kissing the tops of their heads. “More than you know.”

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We gathered at the table for dinner, the four of us. The room buzzed with laughter, the clinking of cutlery, and silly jokes only children could make. Derick teased Lucian about cating too fast, and Lyra told her father about how she had won the spelling contest at school last week.

For a brief moment, everything felt perfect. Whole.

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