Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Alpha Ethan POV

I walked out of the council room and went straight to my study. My hands were clenched into tight fists by my sides, and my jaw hurt from how hard I’d been grinding my teeth. The echo of the council’s verdict still rang in my ears like a bitter curse-“She will be stoned to death.” That image alone had turned my stomach.

But I had overruled it. I had stepped in, taken control, and cast aside their sentence. Why?

Because I couldn’t bear to see her die.

I dropped heavily into the leather chair behind my desk, resting my elbows on the wood as I stared down at nothing in particular. The fire crackled in the hearth across the room, but its warmth didn’t reach the storm raging inside me.

Raven.

Accused again of theft–this time a bracelet, and once again, no proof, no solid witness. Just assumptions and a convenient setup.

Yet, it didn’t stop the whispers, didn’t stop Olivia’s icy stare or the council’s swift decision.

I should be furious at her. I should feel nothing but betrayal and anger. But instead… I felt something far more dangerous. Conflicted. Possessive. Torn.

A knock broke the silence.

“Come in,” I barked.

The door opened, and Beta Matthew stepped inside. He closed the door behind him, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a storm of restrained fury in his eyes.

“What is it, Matthew?” I asked, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw tense. “I came to see how she is.”

“She‘? You mean the thief?” I scoffed, leaning back in my chair.

Matthew’s eyes darkened. “Do you believe she did it?”

My fingers tapped against the polished wood. “Does it matter what I believe? She was judged. Twice now. Same pattern.”

“That’s not what I asked,” he said, stepping forward. “Do you believe she did it?”

I paused. For a heartbeat, I saw Raven’s face–pale and shaken, her eyes full of betrayal and confusion.

“I don’t care,” I muttered, waving a dismissive hand. “She’s nothing but a worthless maid. A burden.”

Matthew’s fists clenched. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

I stood up, slowly, my eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

“She might be a maid, yes,” Matthew continued, yoice low but firm, “but she isn’t worthless. And she didn’t steal that bracelet. You know it. Deep down, you do.”

I walked around my desk, standing toe to toe with him. “Why do you care, Beta?”

Matthew’s lips parted, but he didn’t speak. That pause, that silence, was enough to set the fire blazing in my chest.

I took a threatening step forward. “You’ve got nothing going on with her… right?”

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Chapter 57

already said I don’t,” he replied, but his tone wasn’t as firm as before.

Igrowled, turning my back on him before I did something I’d regret. “Leave.”

“She doesn’t deserve this, Ethan,” he said behind me. “Whatever you’re planning-”

“leave!” I roared, and the door slammed shut behind him a moment later..

The silence that followed was deafening.

My wolf howled inside me, clawing at the walls of my mind. Confused. Restless. Angry.

Why?

Why did I care so much? Why couldn’t I just punish her and be done with it? Why did I keep sparing her?

I slammed my fist down on the desk hard enough to crack the wood.

No. No more weakness. If I didn’t act, Olivia would suspect something. The council already questioned my decision. Raven needed to be punished- deserved to be punished.

I stormed out of my study, barking orders at the nearest maids, I didn’t want the guards to do it, I couldn’t bare another man seeing her naked form

“Bring her to my private balcony. Now.”

The guards stiffened. “Alpha-”

“And strip her,” I added coldly. “Every piece of clothing. Cover her in pepper from head to toe.”

They didn’t question me again.

As I climbed the stairs, rage bubbling beneath my skin, I tried to justify it to myself.

She had to learn.

She had to be broken.

Olivia couldn’t suspect how weak I’d been.

I stood behind the double doors leading to the balcony, the wind howling beyond. I heard movement. Shuffling. Whimpers. The sound of fabric being torn away.

Then I stepped outside.

There she was.

Raven. Shackled. Her hands tied behind her back. Her body bare to the cold night air, her skin already reddening as the coarse pepper was dumped and rubbed over her skin by the other maids. She gasped and cried out, but the sound only seemed to make the fire inside me swell,

I should’ve felt vindicated.

I should’ve felt satisfied.

But I didn’t.

Instead, a strange sickness twisted in my stomach.

My wolf howled again–a long, mournful, agonized sound–deep inside my soul.

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Chapter 57

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