Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 235

Chapter 235

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Chapter 235

Reven’s Pov

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I arrived at the kids‘ room, opened the door quietly, and led them inside.

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They were both yawning, their tiny faces soft with exhaustion after the long day. I tucked the blankets around them gently and brushed my fingers through Lyra’s hair.

“Mom, are you okay?” she asked sleepily, her eyes half–open.

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “I’m fine, baby. Mommy’s just tired.”

She gave a soft hum and curled up beside her brother. Within moments, they were both asleep, peaceful, unaware of the storm swirling around me.

I leaned down, pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads, and whispered, “Goodnight, my loves.”

When I straightened up, I lingered for a moment, watching their even breathing, trying to draw strength from it.

They were my world. Everything I endured, I did for them. And yet, tonight, my chest felt heavy, too heavy for one heart to bear.

I left their room quietly and closed the door behind me.

My mind was still a mess as I walked down the hall. The house was silent, too silent. The laughter that had echoed earlier during our arrival felt like a memory already fading into dust. I wanted to believe everything would be fine, that Derick’s parents would come around, that love would be enough, but deep down, I wasn’t

so sure anymore.

When I reached my room and opened the door, I froze.

Derick was there.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped together, his expression unreadable. The room’s dim light fell across his face, revealing eyes filled with conflict, guilt, pain, maybe even love.

I blinked, surprised. “Derick? What are you doing here? I thought you were still with your parents.”

He stood up slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. “I was,” he said, his voice low. “But I couldn’t stay there after what happened.

Reven, I’m… I’m so sorry for my parents‘ words. They shouldn’t have.“I lifted my hand sharply, cutting him off before he could finish. I didn’t need his apology not now. Not when I was already breaking inside.

“Don’t,” I said softly, though my tone carried the weight of a storm. “Don’t say sorry, Derick. You knew this would happen. You brought me here knowing your parents would never accept me… or the kids.”

He shook his head quickly, stepping closer. “No, Raven. I didn’t know they’d react like that. I swear, I thought“.

11:17 Sun, Oct 12

Chapter 235

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“Thought what?” I snapped, taking a step back. “That they’d welcome us with open arms? That they’d smile and pretend everything’s perfect? Derick, they didn’t even try to hide their disgust. Not from me. Not from our children.”

He winced, and for a moment, I saw pain flicker across his features. “They just need time. This is all new to them.“Time?” I interrupted again, my voice trembling. “You think time will fix the look your mother gave me? Or the way your father spoke as if my children weren’t good enough to bear your name?”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I was tired tired of crying, tired of pretending, tired of fighting battles I didn’t start.

“The kids are my number one priority,” I said quietly but firmly. “If your parents can’t accept them, then I’m done, Derick. I won’t let anyone, not even you, make them feel unwanted.”

Derick’s expression hardened as he reached for my hand, but I pulled away before he could touch me. “Raven, please. Don’t say that. We’ve come a long way. We’ve been through too much to just back off now.”

I looked up at him, feeling my heart twist painfully. “I can back off, Derick. I will back off if it means protecting my children.

I won’t let them grow up in a house where they’re treated like outsiders. I’ve had enough of being looked down on, of being whispered about, of being mistreated.”

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “You’re overreacting.

My laugh was short and bitter. “Overreacting? You didn’t see the way your mother’s eyes turned cold the moment she realized the twins weren’t yours by blood. You didn’t hear your father whisper to her that he’d never accept bastards under his roof.”

His jaw clenched. “Raven“”No!” I shouted, the sound echoing off the walls. “Don’t ‘Reven‘ me! You might not have heard it, but I did. I stood there, holding Lyra’s hand, pretending not to notice, pretending it didn’t hurt. But it did, Derick. It broke something in me.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy.

Finally, he spoke, his voice trembling slightly. “I’ll talk to them. I’ll make them understand. They’ll accept you, Reven. I promise.”

I shook my head, a hollow laugh escaping my lips. “You can’t force them to love what they’ve already judged.”

“I’ll find a way,” he insisted. “They must accept you. I’ll talk to them tomorrow.”

I studied him, the desperation in his eyes, the guilt in his tone, and for a moment, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that love could fix everything. But deep down, I knew that some wounds ran too deep to be healed with promises.

“You have two weeks,” I said finally, my voice steady. “If things don’t change by then… if your parents still think I’m not fit for you, then I’m leaving. I’ll take my kids and walk out of this house, and I won’t look back.”

He looked startled. “Raven, don’t do this.““I’m not threatening you, Derick,” I cut in, my tone soft but firm. “I’m setting a boundary. For me. For my children. I won’t let history repeat itself.”

11:17 Sun, Oct 12

Chapter 235

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He sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. “Two weeks,” he murmured. “That’s all you’re giving me?”

“Yes.”

His shoulders slumped, but then he nodded. “Then I’ll make it happen before then. I promise you, Reven, they’ll come around. They have to.”

He moved toward me again, as if wanting to hold me, but I stepped aside. I couldn’t handle the warmth of his touch right now, not when everything inside me was cold and fragile.

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone in the silence.

For a long moment, I just stood there, staring at the closed door. The ache in my chest spread like wildfire.

Slowly, I walked over to the bed and sat down, my hands trembling slightly. The quietness of the room was suffocating. I ran my fingers through my hair and let out a long, shaky breath.

“If after two weeks… they still think I’m not good enough,” I whispered to myself, “then I’ll leave. I’ll move out, and I’ll spend the rest of my days with my kids. That’s all that matters.”

The words felt like a vow painful, but necessary.

I stood and walked to the window, pushing the curtain aside. The moon hung low at night sky, its pale light spilling into the room. It looked so calm, so peaceful, as if it didn’t care about the chaos in my heart.

My reflection in the glass looked tired eyes swollen, lips pressed into a thin line, face shadowed by exhaustion and heartbreak.

“Why does love have to hurt this much?” I whispered to my reflection.

I thought about the moments Derick had made me feel safe, the nights we spent laughing, and the promises he made under the stars.

I wanted to hold onto those memories, but now they felt like sand slipping through my fingers.

I pressed my forehead against the cold glass, my breath fogging it slightly. “Please, let this be worth it,” I murmured. “Let him mean what he says.”

But deep down, a small voice whispered that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be enough.

Tears finally fell silent, warm streaks that rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t bother wiping them away.

Because for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel strong. I didn’t feel like the woman who had fought through pain, betrayal, and shame to stand where she was. Tonight, I just felt… tired.

I turned back to the bed, the soft sheets looking too big, too empty. Sitting down, I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared blankly at the wall.