Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Raven’s POV

The ride back to the pack house was quiet. I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window as trees blurred past, trying to piece together the mess it my head. The silence in the car felt heavy, like it canied the weight of everything I couldn’t say.

“If you don’t want to, I can ask him to let you rest for a few more days before returning,” Beta Matthew said gently, his voice breaking the silence

I glanced at him, noticing the pity in his eyes. That was what I hated the most

sifelt

“I’m fine. I go back with you. Besides, it’s already been two days,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady even as I felt the tears threatening to spill. “It’s

time to po

He nodded stently, but I could still feel his concer

Thad gotten up from the healer’s bed earlier, ignoring the ache in my body, and picked up the herbs she had prepared for me. With a deep breath, followed Beta Matthew out of the healer’s house, my steps slow but determined

No matter

er how broken I felt inside, I refused to let anyone see it.

When we got to the pack house, I quickly got down and made my way inside. The hallway was quiet, every maid buried in their own duties. ignored the stares of some of the maids as I made my way to my quarters. I sighed in relief as I stepped inside. Even though it wasn’t spacious or smelled of luxury, it was my quiet place.

The small table near my bad still had the dried herbs from earlier that I’d placed there before leaving. I gently set the new ones down and began sorting through then, trying to distract myself from the pain coursing through my body. My ribs still ached with every breath, and my limbs felt weak, but i couldn’t afford to fall apart.

I couldn’t afford to show weakness–not here.

I quickly tied up the bundles, putting them away in the corner of my draum, and made my way to the small bathroom attached to my room. The water was lukewarm, and every movement sent sharp stings through my muscles. But I didn’t cry, I bit my bottom lip and powered through it, scrubbing my skin like I could wash away the memories of what had happened. The bruises were fading, but the scars beneath the surface ran deeper.

Once I was done, I wrapped myself in a towel and leaned against the wall for a moment, trying to catch my breath. The room spun slightly, but I pushed past it and changed quickly into the standard maid uniform

There was no time to rest

By the time I got to the kitchen, the other maids were already busy chopping vegetables, stirring Bots, and preparing trays for dinner. The moment they saw me, they paused–some with wide eyes, some with narrowed ones. I felt the shift in the room, but no one said anything

They never did.

I silently took up a chopping board and joined in, keeping my head down and movements steady, even if my fingers trembled. No one offered help. Na one asked if I was okay.

That was fine. I was used to that

As dinner was almost ready, Head Maid Carla entered the kitchen, her expression sharp and unreadable. “You’ll be serving in the Alpha’s wing tonight,” she said, handing me a covered tray. “Take this the with the others. Luna Olivia asked specifically for you.”

Of cour

course, she did.

My stomach twisted, but inadded and took the tray. I could feel the eyes of the other maids on me, some whispering as I left the kitchen, careful not to spill a single thing. My heart beat faster with every step I took toward the Alpha’s dining hall. Not because I feared anyone–no. I just hated being so close

to her.

Chapter 32

To Olivia.

My sister

The one no one knew about.

Our father had done a good job of hiding the truth–two daughters born of the same blood but different mothers. She grew up in lusury, while paw up in the servants” wing. She got the title. She got the gowns. She got the love

And now, she had my

mate.

As Lentered the private dining room, Luna Olivia was already seated, dressed in a flowing satin gown the color of emeralds. Her golden hair was pinned perfectly, her lips painted a deep red, and her eyes sparkled with amusement the moment she saw me.

“Well, well,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “The ghost returns.”

I kept my eyes low, placing the tray in front of her. “Dinner, Luna.”

She ignored the food completely, focusing only on me. “Still limping, I see. What a shame. A maid should be more careful.” She smiled sweetly, but her voice dripped with venom.

I didn’t respond. I was used to her games.

“Tell me,” she continued, swirling her wine lazily. “Did you enjoy your little nap? Heard you were unconscious for two days. Tik. And some say I’m the fragile one.”

I hit my inner check, struggling to keep my expression neutral.

“And Haven,” she added, her voice now playful, “you should be careful where you leave your hands. Accusing you of theft? That’s serious. Then again, maybe the rumors are true.”

That caught me off guard. My head snapped up before I could stop myself, my eyes meeting hers.

She smirked

I mean, you did grow up poor. Desperate. Who could blame you for taking something that doesn’t belong to you?”

I felt the heat rise in my chest, the words forming in my throat like file.

But before I could speak, I felt another presence in the room. My gaze shifted slightly–and there he was

Alpha Ethan.

Standing at the far end of the room, his tall frame leaning casually against the doorway. His expression unreadable. His eyes, however, were focused directly on me.

Like he was waiting

I swallowed hard, my voice dying in my throat.

“Nothing!

to say?” Olivia asked mockingly. “Or have you suddenly found your manners!”

I lowered my gaze once more and stepped back, “Is that all, Luna?”

She tilted her head. “You may go.”

Without waiting for further dismissal, I turned and walked out, careful not to let my hands shake as I gripped the empty tray.

The hallway was quiet as I walked back, but my heart thundered in my chest. I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something. I wanted to tip that snug

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