Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Reven’s Pov

I was woken up by the constant knocking on my door. I groaned softly, my head sinking deeper into the pillow as the sound grew more insistent.

Whoever was knocking clearly had no idea how little sleep I’d gotten the night before. My eyes fluttered open reluctantly, and the first thing that greeted me was the harsh, blinding light streaming through the large window.

I winced, squeezing my eyes shut again and throwing an arm over my face. The light was too bright, too sudden, forcing my sleepy mind to adjust. For a few moments, I lay still, listening to the faint chirping of birds outside and the distant murmur of voices somewhere within the pack house.

After what felt like a full minute, my eyes finally adjusted. I blinked slowly, sitting up as the knocking came again, gentler this time.

“Come in,” I murmured, my voice still heavy with sleep.

The door creaked open, and a young maid stood at the entrance, her hands clasped neatly in front of her. She bowed slightly, her tone polite but firm. “Good morning, ma’am. Breakfast is ready. Everyone’s waiting, and you’re the only one absent.”

I blinked, then gasped softly as I turned toward the small clock on the nightstand. “Past nine?” I whispered, covering my mouth in shock. I had overslept.

The maid nodded, trying not to smile.

I ran a hand through my hair in disbelief. “Where are the kids?” I asked quickly.

“The Alpha” she paused for a heartbeat, lowering her gaze respectfully, “-Alpha Derick got them ready. They’re already at the dining room with the rest of the family.”

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Tell them I’ll be there in a jiffy,” I said, already throwing off the blanket.

“Should I help you, ma’am?” she asked, stepping forward.

I shook my head. “No, I can manage. Thank you.”

The maid bowed again before closing the door quietly behind her.

I hurried into the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to drive away the last traces of sleep.

My reflection stared back at me: pale skin, tired eyes, and a tangle of dark hair that needed taming. I brushed my teeth quickly, then took a fast shower, letting the warm water calm my nerves.

I had expected to wake up early, to prepare myself before facing Derick’s parents again, but clearly, the universe had other plans.

10:11 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 236

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By the time I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, I could already hear faint laughter echoing from downstairs.

I sighed, pulled on a simple but elegant dress, and tied my hair up in a neat bun. Nothing too fancy, but decent enough to look presentable in front of Derick’s aristocratic family.

As I fastened the last button, I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling twisting in my stomach. The memory of Derick’s mother’s harsh words from the previous day still lingered. I knew she didn’t like me.

I knew she saw me as an outsider, an unworthy mate who had somehow stolen her son’s heart. But I wasn’t here to please her. I was here because of my children and because Derick wanted me here.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the room.

Two guards stood at the end of the hall, their postures stiff and disciplined. “Excuse me,” I said, walking toward them. “Could you direct me to the dining room?”

One of them nodded respectfully. “Straight down the hall, ma’am. Take the second left. You’ll hear voices.”

“Thank you,” I replied, my heart beginning to pound harder as I walked in the direction he pointed.

The moment I reached the corner, I heard it her voice. That sharp, commanding tone that could only belong to Derick’s mother. Even without seeing her, I could recognize that voice anywhere.

“Why are we still waiting for her?” she was saying, irritation dripping from every word.

I froze near the doorway, my hand tightening around the edge of the wall.

Derick’s calm, steady voice answered her. “She’ll be here soon, Mother. Let’s not make this a big deal.”

“Oh, it already is,” came her cold reply.

Taking another breath, I pushed the door open and walked inside.

The room fell silent for a second. Derick’s father sat at the head of the long mahogany table, reading the newspaper, while his mother sat opposite, her expression unreadable but her eyes sharp as daggers. Derick was seated near the center, between our children, my beautiful twins, Lyra and Liam.

Their faces brightened when they saw me. “Mommy!” Lyra squealed, almost standing on her chair.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” I said softly, walking toward them.

I greeted Derick’s parents politely. “Good morning, Alpha, Luna.”

They didn’t reply. Not even a nod. The silence that followed was thick enough to suffocate me.

I forced a small smile, pretending not to notice their coldness, and took a seat beside Lyra. Derick’s eyes met mine briefly, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile. That helped a little.

Breakfast began. Plates clattered, forks scraped against china, and the scent of fresh bread, bacon, and fruit filled the air. I ate quietly, keeping my head down, trying to focus on the twins and not on the glares I could feel burning into my skin.

10:11 Mon, Oct 13

Chapter 236

887

E55 vouchers

Halfway through the meal, Derick’s mother spoke again. Her voice was calm, but there was venom underneath.

“So,” she began, setting down her fork, “how long do you plan on staying here, Raven?”

The question hung in the air like a challenge.

Before I could answer, Derick’s hand tightened around his fork. “She’s not visiting, Mother,” he said firmly. “She’s here to stay.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Oh, really?”

“Yes,” Derick replied. “She and the children belong here. With me.”

She let out a low, humorless laugh. “Well, we’ll see about that.” Her gaze turned to me, sharp and icy. “When I’m done dealing with her, she’ll leave on her own.”

The words stung, but I didn’t let them show. I forced myself to keep eating, to act unaffected.

Lyra shifted beside me, reaching her tiny hand toward the jug of water at the center of the table. “Mommy, can I have some water?” she asked softly.

“Of course, baby,” I said, reaching to help her.

But before I could, Derick’s mother’s hand darted forward, perhaps to do it herself, perhaps out of sheer impatience, and the movement startled Lyra. Her small fingers lost grip, and the jug tipped over.

The water spilled across the table, cold, clear, and unmerciful, as it splashed onto Derick’s mother’s expensive dress.

“Oh my goddess,” I gasped, quickly reaching for a napkin. “I’m so sorry.“But before I could finish, Derick’s mother shot up from her seat, fury blazing in her eyes.

“How dare this little brat!” she snapped, her voice echoing across the room. “Untrained, just like her mother!”

The insult sliced through me like a blade.

Derick’s father looked up sharply, but he said nothing. Derick’s jaw tightened, his knuckles white around his

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