Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Alpha Ethan Pov

I walked out of the room and made my way outside the study. Just as I was about to turn to the other side of the hallway, I bumped into sontban

It was Olivia

What the hell was she doing out here at this time of night?

Her eyes widened slightly when she saw me, but she quickly masked her expression with a carefully composed smile.

“Ethan?” she said softly, brushing a few strands of her auburn hair behind her ear. “What are you doing awak

I didn’t like the way she asked that question–as if I was the one out of place. My jaw clenched, and I stepped back just enough to put some distance between us. Her scent hit me, sweet and familiar, but not comforting. Not anymore.

“I could ask you the same thing.” I replied, keeping my tone neutral. “It’s nearly two in the morning. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

She gave a small shrug, her eyes glinting in the dim light from the wall sconces “I woke up and couldn’t find you. Your side of the bed was cold. I got worked

That part, at least, might be true. But I still didn’t trust her completely.

“I had something to take care of,” I said simply. “Nothing to worry about.”

Olivia tilted her head slightly, scrutinizing me as though trying to read between the lines of my words. “Ethan… is something going on?”

There it was the question I had expected, the one I needed to avoid. I couldn’t tell her the truth, Not yet. Not until I knew exactly what we were dealing with at the border.

Loffered her a small smile and gently reached out, brushing her arm as wild past. “Go back to sleep, Olivia_171 be back soon.”

And without giving her a chance to ask more, I turned on my heel and walked away.

Fast.

I didn’t look back,

My heart pounded with unease as I strode through the halls and out into the cold night air. The scent of pine and earth hit me instantly. The moon was half–hidden behind a veil of clouds, casting an eerie glow over the pack grounds. The wind carried a sharp, metallic scent–faint, but unmistakable.

Blood.

By the time I shifted into my wolf and raced toward the southern border, I already knew something was wrong. The mind–link buzzed with tension. Warriors were alert and unsettled. Theard murmurs–words like attack, rogue, and casualties.

When I arrived, the scent of blood was stronger, thick in the air. The grass was stained dark in patches, and several warriors stood in a loose circle near two motionless bodies.

Ishifted back, and walked toward them, my steps heavy, my chest tight.

“Report” ordered, my voice like ace

Beta Matthew stepped forward, his face pale and his eyes haunted. “They were already gone when we got here. A rogue patrol passed through–fast and brutal. Two of our warriors were killed instantly. We think they were targeted. It doesn’t look random.”

I looked down at the fallen warriors–Cpleb and Jensen Loyal. Strong, Brave. Now lying in silence, blood still pooling beneath them.

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Chapter 38

They didit’liland a chance?“” Lasked, my voice tough with angor.

“No,” Matthew sold quietly. “They were ambushed. We think the rogues are testing our defenses maybe preparing

The implications sank in like a one in my put Ropes didn’t operate like this. Not unless they were organized. Not unless they had a leader. And were preparing for war,

“We’re not dealing with just regues,” I marmured, more to myself than to anyone else.”

toite’s pulling the strings.”.

Matthew nodded grimly. “We need to get ready, Alpha. This… this might be the beginning of something bad. Something big.”

My eyes scanned the trees, the shadows beyond the clearing, my instincts screaming.

“I want a full sweep of the border. No one gets in or out without my say. Put everyone on high alert. And call the council together—at first light-

I stood there for a long moment after Matthew left, staring at the bodies of my fallen pack members. My fists clenched at my sides.

They deserved justice. And I would make sure they got it.

Even if it meant war.

I went back to the pack house, anger bubbling over.

My hands were

balled into fists, and I barely registered the familiar corridors as I stormed through them. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to see Olivia’s watchful eyes or feel her fake concern.

el

I needed something to take the edge off. Something- or someone to remind me I was still in control.

When reached my office, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it for a moment, inhaling deeply. The scent of blood still clung to me. I needed to wash it off, but more than that, I needed to burn off this fury.

“Call Raven,” I told a guard through the mind link. Tell the maid to bring me a cup of coffee.Now.”

Within minutes, a soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” I said gruffly.

Raven stepped inside with her usual quiet grace, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. Her long black hair was tied back, and her eyes–those haunted gray eyes–flicked up to mine before quickly lowering again.

She placed the coffee on my desk and started to turn away.

“Stay,” I said.

She frone, then slowly looked back at me. “Is there something else you need, Alpha?”

I didn’t answer immediately, I just watched her, noting the way her hands twitched slightly at her sides. Her presence calmed something in me–but it also ignited something darker.

An idea formed. A twisted, cruel one.

“You look too tense, Raven,” I said, walking toward her. “Too stiff. I need to be entertained.”

Her brows furrowed. “Entertained?”

I stepped closer. “Yes. Like a stripper would. Take off your clothes. Slowly. Dance”

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20:41 Fri, 18 Jul 5 A

Chapter 38

Her eyes widened in horror, “Wpha, Fu the Luna’s personal maid, not yours.”

I smiled coldly. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have used witchcraft on my will

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