Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Alpha Ethan’s POV

I watched as her unconscious body fell to the floor.

For a moment, the noise from the people around faded. All I could hear was the thod as Raven’s body hit the ground, her head slumping to the side like a

broken del.

My wolf roared inside me, clawing and snailing, demanding I go to her. Help her. Protect her. Save her

I took a step forward. I didn’t care who was watching. I didn’t care about the rumors or the whispers. All I could think about was the pain in her eyes jart before she collapsed–the betrayal she must’ve felt as i stood silent when she was accused. I should have believed her. I should have stopped it

But then a hand groped my arm tightly.

I didn’t have to look to know it was Olivia

“What do you think you’re doing, Ethan?” she hissed, her nails digging into my skin. “Going to defend a thief?”

There was a smirk on her lips, triumphant and cold.

My body froze.

Olivia Mymate. My Luna.

My duty.

My curse.

“1–she fainted,” I muttered, my voice strained, trying to explain it even though no one had asked me to. Trying to justify what I wasn’t brave enough to

1. do.

She’s lucky that’s all she did,” Olivia sneered. “After what she did, she deserves worse. She humiliated me in front of the whole pack, and the guest by having stealing from one of them.

She hadn’t. Raven hadn’t done anything. She didn’t even defend herself when Olivia’s voice rose and accused her of theft. She stood there trembling. eyes wide with confusion, before she broke

Before I broke her.

My Beta, Matthew, brushed past me–shoulder stiff, gaze fixed on Raven

I didn’t stop him.

I couldn’t.

He knelt, scooping her up with a gentleness that made my chest ache. His jaw clenched, and when he looked at me, there was no mistaking the disappointment. He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to

His silence screamed louder than anything Olivia had said.

I should’ve been the one to carry her.

tcarried o

I out by another man–while my

y mate held my arm like a shackle.

Instead, I watched her get c

The guests resumed their chatter, pretending not to stare, but I saw their glances. Some were curious. Some amused. Some looked at me with judgment.

1/4

2U–D7

Chapter 29

I followed Olivia out of the punishment room, bir heels clicking furiously as

“She rained

as she canted beside me

trything,” the spat. “Of all nights. Why does she always have to exist in places she doesn’t belong? You should’ve stopped her long ago. She’s just a maid, Tihan. Just

“She’s not just anything,” Isnapped, turning on her,

Olivia’s eyes widened “Excuse me?”

Tinhaled deeply. “She’s a pack member. And she’s been punished already”

Punished.

The word burned my tongue like acid.

Because it happen

Thad ordered it.

Raven had been dragged to the courtyard–accused of stealing from the guest wing. A diamond necklace Something shiny and meaningless. No proof Just Olivia’s word.

The crowd wanted blood. Olivia demanded justice. And I gave it

A Hundred lashes..

A Hundred brutal strikes across her back, her screams echoing in the air while I stood still, jaw clenched, hands shaking My wolf howled and paced furious at me. But I told myself it was necessary. That justice had to be served.

But deep down, I knew it wasn’t justice.

it was cruelty.

And now, I couldn’t even look at my own reflection.

“She deserved it,” Olivia said, armis crossed.

Iturned away, jaw locked.

1. d. “Go to bed, Olivia

“What?” she barked

“said go to bed,” I repeated coldly. “I need to be alone”

She was about to get on the bed when I held her hands go to the other room I want to be left alone here are you serious Ethan she asked yes it’s fine the snapped at me

“You’re going soft over a servant. This is pathetic, Ethan.”

“Goodnight, Olivia.”

She slammed the door behind her as she left, the sound vibrating through the walls.

Alone now, I walked to the window and stared into the night, lists clenched.

Raven’s scream still echoed in my mind.

The way her body jerked with each lash

The way she cried until she couldn’t

2/4

Chapter 25

de Looked her in the rye

v defended him. Should on

old not

adn’t chosen Olivia

i kad tolerated her

But Raven

With Raven, everything felt real.

od that terrifies

Left the room, heading down the hallway toward the healer’s quarters Matthew had taken Raven there, la she’d even be awake. But thad to see her.

Even if the hated me.

Even if she never wanted to look at me again.

As reached the door, I paused, hand hovering over the handle.

Through the crack, I could hear Matthew’s voice. Low and steady

“You didn’t deserve this,” he said. “I’ll get you out of here. I promise.”

My heart stopped.

He was leaving with hert

I stepped back, shame crushing me from the inside.

Of course, he was.

Because Matthew had done what I couldn’t.

He protected her.

He carried her.

He saw her when I chose not to

I turned and walked away.

I couldn’t sleep

Every time I closed my eyes, her face haunted he–bloodied, broken, betrayed, But I told myself it didn’t matter. She was just a maid. Just another name In the pack registry. She wasn’t important

I told mysel

I threw the covers off and got up, belling myself I just needed air. A walk. Something to calm the storm in my chest. My steps took me through the dim

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify