Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 233

Chapter 233

Reven’s Pov

“This will be your room for now, and the kids will have the one after yours,” Derick told me as the guard dropped my suitcase beside the bed.

The guard bowed respectfully before stepping out, leaving just the two of us.

I turned to look around the room again, still a little overwhelmed.

The space was elegant yet warm, a blend of soft colors and modern touches that felt surprisingly comforting. Cream walls, a large window with light curtains that swayed slightly with the breeze, and a wide bed dressed in white linens that looked too inviting for someone as restless as me.

I took a deep breath, brushing my palm across the wooden frame of the bedpost. “You didn’t have to go through all this trouble, Derick,” I murmured.

He gave me a small smile, that calm one he always wore when he wanted to reassure me. “I wanted to. You deserve peace, Raven. You and the kids both.”

His words made my chest tighten with something that felt dangerously close to tears. It had been so long since anyone said something that kind to me and meant it. I wanted to tell him how grateful I was, how much it meant, but the words tangled in my throat.

Instead, I looked away, brushing invisible dust off my jeans. “I’ll… I’ll just get the kids settled and maybe rest a bit.”

He nodded. “That’s a good idea.” Then, as if remembering something, he added, “Freshen up and get some rest. You’ve had a long flight; you must be exhausted. You’ll meet my parents over dinner tonight.”

At his words, my stomach twisted. Dinner with his parents. The very thing I’d been dreading since he first mentioned coming back here. I bit my lower lip unconsciously, trying to hide the anxiety bubbling inside. “Will the kids be there too?” I asked, keeping my voice calm even though my heart wasn’t.

“Yes,” he said simply. “They’ll be there. I’ll introduce them to their grandparents.”

I froze, halfway through sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Derick…” I began softly, but he turned to look at me, and I could see the flicker of confusion in his eyes.

“What is it?”

“Don’t you think that’s a bit…” I hesitated, searching for the right word. “rude? I mean, they’ll know. Werewolves recognize their descendants instantly. They’ll know the twins aren’t yours.”

There. I’d said it. The truth that had been burning in my chest.

For a heartbeat, the air between us went still. Derick didn’t speak immediately, just stared at me with that deep, unreadable expression that always made it hard to tell what he was thinking. Then, slowly, he nodded.

“I know,” he said quietly. “But that doesn’t matter, Raven.”

18:09 Fri, Oct 10

Chapter 233

“It doesn’t?” I repeated, frowning slightly.

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“No,” he said firmly this time, taking a step closer until the warmth of his body brushed against mine. “It doesn’t. Because I’ve already accepted them. They’re mine as much as they are yours. My parents‘ opinion won’t change that.”

My breath caught at his words. There was such conviction in his tone, such fierce protectiveness, that for a moment, I forgot how to respond. I stared up at him, trying to read the sincerity in his eyes, and found nothing but truth staring back at me.

“Derick…” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly.

He smiled faintly, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my car. “Stop overthinking, Raven. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

Before I could say another word, he leaned forward and pressed a warm, gentle kiss against my lips, so sudden and so soft that it sent shivers down my spine. It wasn’t demanding or rushed; it was comforting, reassuring, and a promise.

When he pulled back, his voice was low. “Get some rest. I’ll come get you when it’s time.”

And with that, he turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

For a moment, I stood there frozen, my fingers touching my lips where his kiss still lingered. My heart was beating faster than it should, my thoughts tangled between fear, confusion, and the faint flicker of something warmer that I dared not name.

With a shaky breath, I turned toward the suitcase the guard had left and decided to unpack later. I was too drained to do anything that required thinking.

Instead, I grabbed a towel and made my way into the bathroom.

The bathroom was just as beautiful as the rest of the room, with marble tiles, golden fixtures, and a large mirror that reflected every flaw I wanted to forget. I stared at myself for a while, at the tired eyes and the faint dark circles that had settled beneath them, the small lines at the corners that hadn’t been there five years ago.

The trip had taken a toll on me, not just physically but emotionally. Coming back here had opened old wounds, memories I thought I’d buried for good. But maybe my wolf was right; maybe this was a chance to

heal.

As the warm water cascaded down my body, I felt some of the tension fade away. My wolf stirred inside me, her voice calm and soft. Change is the constant thing in life, she said, her tone soothing. You can’t hide from it forever, Raven. Maybe it’s time you change how you see yourself too.

I closed my eyes, letting her words sink in. She was right. I’d spent years carrying guilt, fear, and shame. Maybe it was time to let some of that go. Maybe it was time to believe I deserved happiness again.

After my shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped back into the room. The air felt cooler now, brushing against my damp skin. I walked over to the bed and sat down, feeling the exhaustion of the day finally catch up to me.

I didn’t want to oversleep, so I reached for my phone in my bag, setting an alarm for an hour before dinner

Chapter 233

just in case. Then, with a small sigh, I lay down, letting the soft sheets pull me into their warmth.

Before long, my eyelids grew heavy, and the world faded into a peaceful blur.

When the alarm finally went off hours later, the shrill sound startled me awake. I groaned softly, stretching my limbs as sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the room.

For a moment, I didn’t move. My body felt rested for the first time in what felt like forever. The air smelled faintly of pine and something sweet, maybe the scent of the forest carried in by the wind.

Then my phone rang.

I blinked, reaching for it on the nightstand. The caller ID flashed Derick.

I cleared my throat before answering. “Hello?”

“Hey,” his voice came through, smooth and calm as always. “Dinner’s in twenty minutes. You should get dressed.”

“Alright,” I said, rubbing my eyes. “I’ll be ready soon.”

“Good,” he replied, and I could almost hear the smile in his tone. “I’ll come get you when it’s time.”

“Okay,” I murmured before hanging up.

I sat up, exhaling slowly. Twenty minutes.

I stood and walked over to my suitcase, which I still hadn’t unpacked. Kneeling beside it, I unzipped it and began searching for something appropriate to wear. My fingers brushed against soft fabric, the red dress.

I pulled it out, and a small smile touched my lips. It had been a gift from Derick, one I hadn’t dared to wear before. The moment I unfolded it, I knew why he’d chosen it: it it was elegant and bold at the same time, the kind of dress that drew attention without trying too hard.

When I slipped it on, it hugged my curves perfectly, the fabric smooth against my skin. The deep red color contrasted beautifully with my complexion, and the neckline added a subtle touch of sophistication. I walked over to the mirror and stared at my reflection.

For the first time in a long time, I saw someone different. Someone confident. Someone who looked… beautiful.

I let my hair down, the waves falling freely to my waist, then reached for my small makeup bag. I didn’t want to overdo it just a little concealer, a hint of blush, and lip gloss that gave my lips a soft shimmer.

When I was done, I took one last look in the mirror. My wolf purred in satisfaction. You look stunning, she whispered.

A soft knock came at the door.

I walked over and opened it to find Derick standing there, his eyes sweeping over me slowly, from my hair down to my dress. For a moment, he didn’t speak, and he didn’t have to. The way his gaze softened said it all.

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Chapter 233

“You look beautiful,” he said finally, his voice low.

“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a blush creep to my cheeks.

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