Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 230

Chapter 230

Reven’s Pov

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I went to my room, my heart thudding so hard it felt like it might burst through my chest.

I could still feel the weight of Derick’s gaze burning into my back, the echo of our argument clinging to me like smoke.

I wanted to slam the door, to shut him out completely shut out the lies, the confusion, the ache but before I could, his hand caught the edge of the door, stopping it midway.

“Raven,” he said, his voice low and strained, almost pleading.

I didn’t turn around immediately. I just stood there, gripping the door handle so tightly my knuckles turned white. “What are you doing?” I asked finally, my voice sharper than I meant. “Haven’t you done enough already?”

“I just want a chance to speak,” he said quickly, stepping closer but not crossing the threshold. “Please, just hear me out before you lock me out again.”

I turned then, slowly, my eyes meeting his. He looked tired not just the kind of tired that comes from lack of sleep, but the kind that seeps into your bones. The kind that comes from guilt. But I wasn’t going to let that soften me, not this time.

“Why?” I asked bitterly. “You want to tell me more lies to add to the ones you’ve already told?”

He winced like the words were a knife. “No,” he said quietly. “No more lies. I’m done lying to you, Raven. I swear it. I was wrong about everything. I just… didn’t know how to tell you the truth.”

“Then say it,” I snapped. “Say whatever it is you’ve been hiding.”

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’m sorry for lying to you. I just didn’t know how to tell my parents about you not when you were carrying another man’s child.”

My stomach twisted painfully, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. So that was it. That was the reason behind all his secrecy, the sudden decision to take me away from California right before I gave birth, and the endless excuses.

“So that’s why you took me away from California?” I asked, my voice trembling even though I tried to keep it steady. “Because you couldn’t face them? Because you didn’t want them to know?”

He nodded slowly, shame written all over his face. “Yes. I was scared, Raven. I didn’t know how they’d react. They’re… strict. Traditional. I didn’t want them to see you the way they see everyone who doesn’t fit their expectations.”

I scoffed and folded my arms. “So, you thought hiding me was better? You thought running away and building a life in secret was the solution?”

“I thought I was protecting you,” he said quickly, desperation lacing every word. “I didn’t want them to hurt

14:59 Mon, Oct 6

Chapter 230

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you or judge you before even knowing who you are. But now…” He paused, taking another step closer. “Now, I’m ready. I told them about you.”

My heart stuttered. “You… told them about me?”

“Yes,” he said softly, nodding. “I told them everything

about how we met, about how much you mean to

1. me. And they want to meet you, Raven. They’re insisting on it.”

I frowned, my eyes narrowing slightly. Something about the way he said it didn’t sit right. “You told them about me,” I repeated slowly, “but not about the kids… did you?”

He froze.

The silence that followed was louder than any answer he could’ve given.

“You didn’t, did you?” I whispered, my voice breaking as anger and disbelief swelled inside me. “You told them about me, but not about our children?”

“Raven, listen-”

“Don’t you dare,” I snapped, taking a step back. “Don’t you dare tell me to listen when you’ve been keeping half the truth to yourself again. You said no more lies, Derick. No more lies!”

He swallowed hard, guilt clouding his eyes. “I was going to tell them,” he said softly. “I just needed time. I didn’t want to overwhelm them right away. I thought if they accepted you first-”

I laughed bitterly, though it came out more like a choked sob. “If they accepted me first, then maybe they’d tolerate my kids later, right? That’s your plan?”

“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “It’s not like that, Raven. I just… I didn’t want to risk them rejecting all of you before they even met you. I need them to see you to see how incredible you are – before they find

out.”

—

“And what happens when they do find out?” I asked. “What happens when they realize the woman their son brought home already has two five–year–olds? What then, Derick? You think they’ll just smile and say, ‘Welcome to the family‘?”

He sighed, rubbing his temples like he was fighting off a headache. “When we get there, I’ll handle it. I promise. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“I don’t have to worry?” I echoed, laughing humorlessly. “Derick, everything I’ve ever done since I gave birth has been about worrying – worrying about my kids, worrying about their safety, their future, their happiness. You don’t get to tell me not to worry when you’ve just dropped a bomb like this on me!”

He looked at me, his eyes softening. “I know. And I want what’s best for them too, Raven. I swear I do. My parents aren’t bad people. Once they meet you, once they see us together, they’ll come around. I just need you to trust me.”

I shook my head, feeling exhaustion settle deep in my bones. “Trust you?” I whispered. “You’ve been lying since the day we left California, Derick. You call it protection; I call it fear. And fear doesn’t build trust – it destroys it.”

14:59 Mon, Oct 6

Chapter 230

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us felt heavy, charged with everything unsaid.

Finally, I took a shaky breath. “I’m still mad at you,” I said quietly. “So mad I can barely look at you without feeling like I might scream. But I’ll ask the kids. If they want to go, we’ll go. But if they don’t

– then that’s final. We stay.”

if they say no

He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t let him. I slammed the door shut before he could utter another word.

The sound echoed through the room, loud and final.

I stood there for a long time, my forehead resting against the wooden surface, my breathing uneven. My hands were shaking, my heart pounding so fast it hurt.

Then, slowly, I turned and walked to the bed, collapsing onto it as tears burned my eyes.

Everything was spinning my thoughts, my emotions, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring. I pressed a hand to my forehead, trying to think, but my mind wouldn’t stop racing.

That was when I heard her voice my wolf’s voice, calm and haunting inside my head.

You should go, she whispered softly. If his parents don’t accept you, then you move on with your kids. You’ve always survived, Raven. You’ll survive this too.

I clenched my jaw. “Don’t start with me,” I muttered out loud. “I can’t deal with your logic right now.”

You can’t keep hiding either, she said gently. You can’t run from every storm that comes your way.

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