Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Alpha Ethan’s POV

I walked into the office and sat behind my desk, pulling out my laptop to go over some documents before the meeting started. I stared at the screen, but the words might as well have been in another language.

Her face wouldn’t leave my mind.

Pale. Peaceful. Still.

That image haunted me more than anything. I should’ve been focused–hell, I had deals on the line that could shift the pack’s future—but all I could think about was the girl lying unconscious in a hospital bed because of me.

I clenched my jaw and pushed the laptop away, dragging a hand down my face in frustration. I hated feeling helpless. But this… this was a pain I couldn’t fight off with strength or strategy. I had to wait–for her to wake up. For a chance to thank her. To apologize.

A knock on the door broke through my spiraling thoughts.

“Alpha,” Melissa, my secretary, stepped in, holding her sleek tablet. “Your meeting with the investors starts in five minutes. They’re already in the conference room.”

I nodded, straightening my jacket as I stood. “Thanks, Melissa. Let’s not keep them waiting.”

She stepped aside as I passed, and together we walked down the hall to the main conference room. The floor–to–ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the surrounding city–my territory. Once I’d built from scratch alongside the pack, brick by brick, deal by deal.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was already charged with anticipation. Representatives from three major tech companies sat at the long table, sleek suits and expensive watches on full display. Their eyes followed me as I entered, some nodding in polite acknowledgment, others measuring

1. me.

I took my seat at the head.

“Gentlemen,” I said with calm authority, “let’s get started.”

Melissa handed out updated reports as the presentation began. One of the investors, a tall man named Greaves, started off with a dry voice and a tighter

smile than I liked.

“We’ve reviewed the proposal,” he began, “and while the numbers look promising, there are concerns about long–term scalability. The infrastructure-”

“-is already underway,” I cut in, tapping a document in front of me. “You’ll see in section three that we’ve secured permits for expansion through the eastern sector. The tech park will have access to our transportation lines within two months. We’ve accounted for projected growth through and beyond.“‘

He glanced at his colleagues, clearly caught off guard by the direct response.

Another investor, Ms. Langford, adjusted her glasses. “What about the security measures? You’ve built a reputation for discretion, Alpha Ethan, but we’re putting serious data in your hands.”

“That discretion is why you’re here,” I replied evenly. “I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Our internal team includes formyber–unit specialists, and our servers are privately maintained. No leaks. No risks.”

The room was quiet for a moment. Then came a subtle nod

agreement.

Melissa moved to the wall panel and brought up the architectural visuals on the screen, walking them through the layout of the new tech development zone. I used the moment to breathe, steadying myself.

Normally, I thrived in these rooms. Power plays, numbers, strategy–I could read people faster than they could blink. But today, my mind kept drifting,

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Chapter 9

She’d put herself in danger. For me.

And now I sat here in a business meeting, trying to pretend everything was normal while she clung to life.

I didn’t realize someone had asked me a question until Melissa leaned down and whispered it in my ear.

“Ms. Langford wants to know if you’re open to an exclusive deal for data routing.”

I looked up and met Langford’s sharp gaze. “That depends. What are you offering in exchange for exclusivity?”

She smiled. “A five–year upfront contract. And a twenty–percent increase in funding if you can fast–track the infrastructure by the end of Q3.”

I leaned back in my chair. That kind of investment would accelerate the whole project, allow more pack–owned businesses to operate in the city, and give us a major edge against the competition.

“I’ll have my legal team draw up the preliminary terms by the end of the day,” I said. “We can finalize by next week.”

She nodded. “Excellent.”

The meeting continued for another half hour as we went over final numbers, timelines, and next steps. By the end of it, the tone had shifted from cautious interest to enthusiastic approval.

As the investors stood to leave, I shook their hands, offering the firm grip expected of someone in my position. Melissa escorted them out. I returned to my office

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