Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 260

hapter 260

Reven’s Pov

It’s been two weeks since the incident, and we still haven’t found out who did it.

Derick had ordered an investigation, and every single maid and guard in the pack house had been questioned.

But no one knewor no one dared to say. Lucian said he couldn’t remember, and we didn’t want to push him too hard. Every time I noticed that flicker of fear in his eyes, it broke me all over again.

Since that day, I’ve made sure my children were never left alone. Not for a minute. I couldn’t trade their safety for anything in the world.

The house might have been full of people loyal to the Alpha, but I knew too well that loyalty could be twisted by envy, by greed, by hate.

And now, with everything that was about to happen tonight, I couldn’t afford another mistake.

Today was the day.

Derick’s father’s birthday. The day of celebration, and also the night Derick would officially announce me as his Luna.

Even thinking about it sent a tremor through me part excitement, part fear. Being Luna wasn’t just a title; it was a responsibility, a promise, a mark that bound me to Derick and his pack in every way.

The idea of standing beside him in front of everyone alphas from different packs, elders, and visiting families filled me with a nervous energy that refused to let me stay still.

I picked up my phone and scrolled through my to–do list, mentally ticking off each task I needed to get done. The decorators, the kitchen, the guest lists… everything had to be perfect. Tonight wasn’t just about Derick’s father. It was about us.

And maybe just maybe it was also my chance to prove that I belonged here.

Setting my phone aside, I swung my legs off the bed and stood, stretching out the stiffness from the restless night. I needed to get ready. I needed to do something.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I walked to the bathroom.

The tiles were cool under my feet, and for a moment, I just stood there, breathing deeply. I had to stay calm. Tonight would be overwhelming enough I couldn’t start the day already on edge.

The shower hissed to life, warm water cascading over my skin, washing away the remnants of the anxiety that had kept me awake.

I closed my eyes and let my thoughts drift. For two weeks, Derick had been by my side every night, holding me until I fell asleep.

It felt strange to be apart from him this morning, knowing how much this day meant to him and to me.

When I was done, I wrapped myself in a towel and moved back into the room, opening the closet to choose something simple yet comfortable.

I finally settled on a soft cream blouse tucked into a pair of fitted jeans. It wasn’t glamorous, but it allowed me to move freely exactly what I needed for supervising preparations.

I packed my hair neatly into a bun, secured it with a clip, and studied my reflection in the mirror. My face

looked calmer than I felt.

There was a faint glow in my cheeks, probably from excitement–or nerves. I smiled faintly at the thought.

It was really happening.

Before leaving, I checked on the children. Pushing the door open quietly, I found Lucian and his sister still fast asleep, tangled in their blankets. For a moment, I just stood there watching them, my heart softening.

Lucian’s breathing was steady now, his little hand curled around his pillow. His sister’s hair covered half her face, and I gently brushed it aside before leaning down to kiss their foreheads.

“Sleep well, my loves,” I whispered. “Mommy will be back soon.”

Closing the door gently, I turned and made my way down the hall.

The pack house was already buzzing with activity. Maids hurried back and forth, carrying trays, decorations, and boxes of flowers.

The air was thick with the scent of fresh roses and the faint sweetness of vanilla candles.

As I stepped into the hall where the party would be held, I felt a swell of pride. It was already looking beautiful the tables were being arranged, chandeliers polished until they sparkled, and the floor gleamed under the golden light filtering through the tall windows.

But there was still work to do.

I rolled up my sleeves and moved toward one of the tables, reaching for a vase of flowers that needed arranging. “No, Luna,” one of the maids said quickly, almost panicked. “Please don’t! That’s not your job. You should rest.”

I laughed softly. “Rest? There’s no way I can just sit and watch you all work yourselves to exhaustion. Let me help, please. I promise no one will get in trouble.”

The maids hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. Then one of them sighed in surrender. “All right, Luna,” she said reluctantly. “But just a little, okay?”

I smiled. “Deal.”

Together we set the tables, aligning the cutlery and placing the flowers just right. I double–checked the colors of the drapes, the lights, and the layout. Everything needed to look perfect for tonight.

I wanted Derick’s father to be proud and for everyone to see that I was worthy of the title I was about to carry.

Halfway through arranging the final table, I suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist from behind.

I didn’t even need to turn around. My breath hitched, and a smile crept across my lips.

“Hey, baby,” Derick’s deep voice murmured against my car, his warmth instantly recognizable. “Why are you working here? Shouldn’t you still be in bed, sleeping like the future Luna you are?”

I tilted my head slightly, leaning back into his chest. “You know I can’t just sleep when there’s so much to do,” I said with a soft laugh. “If something isn’t perfect tonight, it’ll bother me all evening.”

He chuckled, his breath warm against my skin. “You don’t have to overwork yourself, love. The maids can handle the rest. You should get some rest before the party.”

I turned my head slightly to meet his eyes, smirking. “You know I won’t.”

“Then at least let me distract you,” he murmured, pressing his lips to the side of my neck. His kiss was firm, lingering long enough to make my heart skip.

“Derick,” I whispered, biting my lip. “Not here. Not in front of everyone.”

He chuckled, tightening his hold. “Why not? You’re mine. Soon the whole world will know.”

I could feel several pairs of eyes on us, and my cheeks flushed. “Please,” I said, laughing softly. “Just go. We’ll have time later.”

He sighed dramatically but obeyed, brushing one last kiss against my neck before letting go. “Fine,” he said, stepping back. “But you owe me later.”

“I’ll think about it,” I teased, turning back to the table.

He grinned, his eyes softening with affection as he walked away. Even after he left, I could still feel the echo of his touch warm and grounding.

I shook my head, smiling to myself as I got back to work. The maids pretended not to look, though I caught a few of them smiling behind their hands.

Derick had that effect on people he could turn tension into laughter in seconds.

P

When everything in the hall finally looked perfect, I made my way to the kitchen. The scent of roasting meat and freshly baked pastries hit me the moment I stepped in.

The cooks were moving in practiced harmony, shouting orders, stirring pots, and arranging trays of desserts.

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