Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Alpha Ethan’s POV

i sat at my office desk, my mind to occupied to get any work done. I stared blankly at the papers in front of me, the words blending into a meaningless blur. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

What if she was innocent?

The question had been gnawing at me for hours now, refusing to leave me in peace. But she couldn’t be, could she? Wolves don’t just develop deep, magnetic attractions to others–especially not Alphas–without reason, Thad heard of cases where a wolf was unnaturally drawn to another, even when the bond shouldn’t exist, ha most of those cases, the explanation had been one thing: witchcraft.

The word itself made my blood run cold. It was a serious accusation, one that could shatter lives, tear apart packs, and lead to punishments no wolf would want to imagine. Still, the possibility lingered in my mind, whispering doubts i didn’t want to acknowledge.

Just then, a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called out, sitting up straighter and clearing my throat to sound composed

Within moments, the door creaked open and Mathew, my Beta and most trusted confidant, stepped inside. His arms were loaded with files and scrolls- most likely the documents it had asked him to prepare for today.

He walked in with his usual calm demeanor, placing the stack of papers on my desk with a soft thud. “Here are the reports from the border patrol, last month’s financials, and the records you requested on the rogue activity near the southem territory.”

I gave a small nod, barely glancing at the files. “Thanks, Mathew.”

He tilted his head, studying me with a hint of concern. Tou alright? You look…distracted.”

I waved a hand dismissively frm fine. Just didn’t get much sleep”

He didn’t push further–at least not yet. Instead, he picked up one of the scrolls and began explaining. “This one contains the historical punishments for rogue attacks that resulted in civilian injuries. I added a few annotations on the council’s usual response and precedents from nearby packs.”

I nodded again, though my attention dried almost immediately.

My eyes flickered toward the thicker parchment he held in his other hand. “What’s that one?”

“This?” he said, litting it. “That’s the revised pack law ledger, the one you wanted to be updated with the older Alpha’s decrees. It includes everything from Land disputes to “he paused briefly, “-to the sections on forbidden practices. Including witchcraft.”

At the mention of the word, something in me tensed. It was as if he’d spoken the name of an ancient enemy that still haunted us from the shadows.

“What does it say…about punishment?” I asked slowly, keeping my voice as neutral as I could manage,

ous now. “For witchcraft?”

Mathew narrowed his eyes, curious now.

I gave a short nod.

He flipped open the parchment, skimming through the dense writing. “If a wolf is found guilty of using witchcraft, especially to manipulate another’s will

or emotions….the punishment is exile at best. Death in severe cases. It depends on the Alpha’s judgment and the severity of the manipulation”

leaned back in my chair, my jaw tightening

Mathew set the scroll down and crossed hy arms. “Why are you asking?”

My eyes flickered up to meet his. For a second, I thought about telling him. About how I felt this impossible pull, this confusing connection that made no

1/3

Chapter 23

“mymething” I said, bronching i sitt with a drop

Mathew didn’t leek endivinend. He choilled

We both fell inte allance. He bound

beamants, butt could beat the questione ctill lingering in the air between us, Fénové

Mathew well enough to understand he’d keep watch, even if he didn’t presenter.

I turned my gare to the window, caring out at th

but persistent.

distant treetops swaying gently in the

If she was using something against me if this connection wasn’t real…

I’d have no choice but to net.

And yet….every instinct in ime screamed to protect her.

I didn’t know what scared me more—the idea that she might be guilty….

the possibility that she wasn’t

I stood up from my chair, unable to work, walked out of the office building and instructed my driver to take me home

, temple. Within minutes. Farrived at the pack house. I got out of the car and immediately called, “Raven! The maid, for me

I stood outside the pack house, the weight of doubt still pressing heavily on my shoulders. The guard at the door nodded briskly

“Tell Raven to come to my study, Immediately.”

I didn’t wait for confirmation. I strode into the pack house, the echo of my boots sharp against the polished floors. My mind was spinning with thoughts each one more confusing than the last. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

When reached my study, I closed the door behind me with a soft but firm click. The silence inside was almost suffocating. My hand lingered an handle for a moment before I walked over to the desk and sat down, staring at the dark wood as if it held the answers, I couldn’t find.

door

Minutes passed.

broke the quiet.

Then, aso knock broke the

“Enter,” I said, my voice low and commanding

The door creaked open, and Raven stepped inside. She looked calm, composed even, but I didn’t miss the slight hesitation in her behind her, then slowly made her way toward me.

“You asked for me, Alpha?” she said, her voice pleady but quit

She shut the door

I studied her for a moment, Raven–praceful, confident, mysterious. Ever since she arrived, something about her had unsettled my wolf. Or was it something in her? The pullet–interse, suffocating wasn’t natural, it couldn’t ba,

I stood up slowly, walking around the desk was just a few feet in front of her. She tilted her head slightly see the flicker of emotion in her eyes–cautiyn, mannins… maybe even fear.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify