Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Raven’s POV

I stood there, unsure of what to say or ask him. Everything about Beta Matthew always seemed so calm, so composed, and yet something about his presence tonight carried an intensity I couldn’t explain.

“Can Frome in?” he asked gently, taking me off guard.

I hesitated for a moment, my heart stuttering in my chest. Thoughts raced through my mind, most of them wild and unreasonable. Could I really trust him? After everything I had been through–alter everything Alpha Ethan had done to me–trusting any man felt like trying to walk across shattered glass.

“I’m not going to take advantage of you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” he added, his voice low but firm.

“No, not that,” I replied quickly, stepping aside for him to come in. I shut the door behind him quietly and turned to face him. He stood in the center of the room, hands folded behind his back, eyes scanning the dimly lit space like he was searching for the right words to say.

For a moment, we just stood there, the silence heavy between us. I felt my fingers tighten around the edge of my thin shirt. My wounds were still healing. both inside and out. Even though the physical bruises had begun to fade, the emotional scars remained–fresh and painful

He finally spoke, “Why were you crying?”

I looked away, biting my lower lip. “I wasn’t.”

“Raven…” he said softly, moving a little closer. “You don’t have to lie to me.”

I turned in

I my face away, blinking rapidly. I hadn’t even realized the tears were still clinging to my lashes. “It’s nothing” I whispered.

He sighed, and then something unexpected happened–he sat down on the edge of my bed, elbows on his knees, hands clasped. “I’m sorry,” he said.

That surprised me more than anything else tonight. “For what?”

“For not visiting you while you were at the healer’s place. I should’ve checked on you. I should’ve….

“You don’t have to apologize,” I said quickly. “It wasn’t your fault.”

done something.”

He looked up at me, his expression unreadable. “But I knew what was happening. I heard what Alpha Ethan ordered those guards to do to you. I just didn’t know until it was too late. And it is my fault that I didn’t stop it.”

I blinked again, hard. My throat felt tight, “You’re not responsible for his cruelty, Matthew. You’ve always been kind to me.”

He offered a faint smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Still, I want you to know I would never stand by and watch it happen again.

I nodded, appreciating his words more than I could say. A pause followed–one thick with unspoken things.

He straightened, brushing his hand through his short brown hair. “Actually, I came here tonight to ask you for a favor.”

I tilted my head slightly, curious now. A favor? My mind immediately went to the worst possibilities. Was he going to ask me to do something for Ethan? Or worse, did he want me for himself?

My chest tightened with panic. Was this it? Was he about to ask me to become his secret sex slave too? My thoughts began to spiral wildly, fly fists clenched at my sides as I tried to mask the fear twisting my stomach.

“I want you to accompany me to a ball,” he said suddenly, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.

Iblinked. “A… what?”

“A ball,” he repeated, a small smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “You looked like you were bracing for something much worse.”

10

Chapter 75

Trelased the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my shoulders slumping slightly, “Yeah.. I was“

He gave a soft chuckle. “Sorry to scare you,”

Ishook my head. “No, it’s fine. T’im just……. surprised.”

*So, will you come?”

I hesitated, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “What if Alpha Ethan finds out?”

His face hardened slightly at the mention of his Alpha’s name. “He won’t. I already made arrangements. You’ll be with me, and I know how to handia

Ethan.”

“Are you sure?” Lasked, voice low. “He could hurt you, too.”

“I’m not afraid of him,” he said confidently. “Besides, Elisa will be there. He won’t try anything when his sister is watching”

I gave a small nod, still unsure. I don’t have anything to wear. I mean, I’m just a maid.”

ly taken care of.”

His eyes lit up a little. “Already

He reached for the small bag slung over his shoulder and handed it to me. I took it slowly, glancing at him before opening it inside was a beautiful gown a deep royal blue color with delicate silver embroidery dancing along the edges. It shimmered even in the soft light of my room. Matching shoes and a glittering purse were tucked carefully inside

I stared at it all, stunned. “Matthew, this is…”

“You deserve to feel beautiful, Raven,” he said gently. “Notj

1. th. “Not just like a ma

like a maid or a broken girl”

I looked up at him, feeling my eyes sting again. Why was he being so kind to me? No one ever gave me things without expecting something in return.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whispered

“Just say you’ll come with me,” he replied, standing

gup. “Go freshen up. I’ll wait outside

He walked to the door and stepped out without another word, leaving me alone with the gown still in my hands.

I stared at it for a long time.

No one had ever done something like this for me–not without strings. Not without demands or threats. Could I really trust him?

But part of me wanted to believe he was different. Maybe this ball would help me feel like I was more than what Ethan had turned me into. Maybe for one night, I could feel like I was free.

+set the bag down on the bed and walked to the small sink in the comer, I washed my face, the cold water shocking my skin back to life. Then I pulled off my clothes and changed into the gown.

It fit perfectly. Like it had been made just for me.

I stood in front of the cracked mirror, brushing my hair out slowly. My fingers trembled as I worked. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. For once, she didn’t look like a beaten–down servant. She didn’t look like the girl who had almost died. She looked… alive.

When I w

was finally ready. I stepped out of the room

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