Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Alpha Ethan’s POV

I walked through the hallway to my balcony. As I got there, I saw Raven–naked–collapsed on the floor. My breath caught in my throat.

What the hell..

A sharp growl escaped my chest before I even realized it. I stormed over to the closet, yanked open the door, and snatched out a towel. My steps were quick and harsh, but my hands betrayed me–gentle, as I knelt beside her limp form. She was pale. Too pale. Her skin cold against my fingers.

I wrapped the towel around her trembling body, jaw clenched. I hated this. Hated that I had to touch her. Hated that seeing her like this made my chest

twist in an unfamiliar ache.

“Clean her up,” I barked to a maid I summoned. My voice was rougher than I intended, yet I didn’t look back as I exited the room. I couldn’t afford to.

It was already dark when I left the pack house. The gates loomed tall behind me, the cool night air rushing against my face as I stripped out of my clothes. I needed to run. Needed to get out of my own head before I did something foolish.

Why did I feel guilty?

“No,” I muttered, shaking my head violently as I tossed my shirt to the ground. “No. She deserves to be punished for stealing. Twice.”

The council made their decision. I only enforced it. That was my job as Alpha. To uphold justice. Order. To not let emotions cloud the law.

But still… her face. That face.

The moment I shifted, the world sharpened. Sounds, scents, movements–they all hit me at once. My large black paws struck the dirt, claws slicing into the forest floor as I tore through the trees like a shadow. The wind whistled past my ears, my muscles stretching with every powerful stride.

The wolf inside me was wild tonight. Restless.

We ran.

Over hills, through the dense woods, across the edge of the northern riverbank. We didn’t stop until the moon was at its peak in the sky, silver and haunting above the forest. My breath came in heavy puffs as I slowed, padding over to the familiar set of large rocks near the western ridge–my usual

thinking spot.

There, I shifted back, collapsing onto the stone, the cool surface pressing into my skin. I tilted my head back, letting the silence of the forest consume me.

What was wrong with me?

I was the Alpha. I didn’t hesitate. I didn’t second–guess.

But ever since she came here…

Raven. That damn girl.

Ever since she came into this pack, she had messed with every cell in my body–from my wolf to my mind–and now, thanks to her, I no longer had time for my mate.

That was the real problem.

Because Olivia was getting suspicious of us.

I raked a hand through my damp hair and exhaled slowly, watching the moonlight stretch across the trees like fingers.

I growled again, furious with myself.

1/3

21:14 Fri, 18 Jut

Chapter 60

She’s not my problem.

She’s just a maid. A thief. A liar. And a tool for me to use and discard anytime I please.

And yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

How did this happen?

I stayed on the rocks for what felt like hours, letting the chill seep into my bones until I felt numb. Only when the crickets fell silent and the breeze shifted did I rise, pulling my mind away from the chaos.

It was time to go back.

I hadn’t had a proper meal for a while, and I was damn starving–if not for the fruit Elisa had served me earlier.

I walked naked through the woods until I reached the hidden compartment near the outer trail. I kept spare clothes there–always prepared. I dressed quickly, not caring about the dampness of my skin. My body was exhausted, but my mind… still a storm.

By the time I reached the pack house, the halls were quiet. I passed guards who bowed silently, and I nodded stiffly, not stopping.

I entered my room, locking the door behind me. The silence was suffocating. Too much space. Too many thoughts.

Then came the knock.

I turned my head, irritation sparking instantly. “What?”

The door creaked open, and one of the younger maids stepped in timidly, hands folded before her. “Alpha Ethan… I–I just came to inform you… Miss Raven is awake.”

I froze.

Awake.

Just one word. But it hit me harder than expected.

I turned away from her, pretending to be indifferent, though my stomach flipped.

“Dismissed,” I said coldly.

“Yes, Alpha,” she whispered, turning quickly.

But then, just as she stepped out, I heard myself say, “Wait.”

The maid paused, slowly facing me again.

“Tell her…” I swallowed, glaring at the wall instead of her face. “Tell her to bring me water. In ten minutes. Not sooner.”

Her eyes widened for a second before she nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”

She left, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stood in the center of the room, unmoving.

What the hell was I doing?

Why did I want to see her?

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