Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 265

Alpha Ethan’s Perspective

Sleep eluded me throughout the night.

My thoughts were consumed by Reven—her scent lingering in the air, the depth of her eyes, and the strange electric charge that surged through me the instant I saw her last night.

Even though my wolf remained silent, hidden deep within the shadows where he had withdrawn ever since she insisted we sever our bond, I sensed something stirring—a faint pull, a tiny ember beneath the ashes that should have long since faded away.

Perhaps it was because five years had passed since I last saw her.

Or maybe it was fate, playing its cruel joke on me.

Or maybe it was the sight of her standing beside Alpha Derick—serene, radiant, the Luna of another—that felt like a dagger twisting painfully in my chest.

I lay awake until the first light of dawn crept softly through the windows of the guest room assigned to me.

My legs refused to obey, and my entire body felt weighed down, burdened by the guilt that had haunted me all these years.

Painful memories played over and over in my mind.

The way I pushed her away.

The way I refused to listen.

The night she stood before me, her eyes swollen from tears, her voice trembling as she begged me to reject the bond between us.

I could still hear her exact words echoing in my mind: “Just do it, Ethan. I can’t live like this.”

My wolf had howled in torment the moment our bond finally shattered.

And then… silence.

Five years of silence.

Maybe I deserved every bit of it.

Dragging my hand across my face, I took a deep breath. Staying in bed was futile; my thoughts were far too loud, drowning out everything else. With a heavy sigh, I reached for my phone on the bedside table and dialed Matthew’s number.

The phone rang several times before he finally answered.

“Alpha?” His voice was calm but laced with curiosity. “How’s everything over there?”

I exhaled softly. “Fine. But I didn’t come back last night. Something… happened.”

Matthew’s tone shifted instantly, alert now. “What happened? You sound off.”

“I saw someone,” I said, swallowing hard. “You won’t believe who.”

“Who?” he asked.

I hesitated briefly, then said the name. “Reven.”

Silence stretched between us.

Long. Heavy.

I could almost feel the shock radiating from Matthew even miles away.

“She’s alive,” I continued softly. “And she’s here.”

“What?” Matthew breathed, disbelief coloring his voice. “Reven?”

“Yes.”

“Did she… recognize you?”

“She did.” My chest tightened painfully. “But she pretended not to. Honestly… I was okay with that. She has a new life now.” I paused, the words tasting bitter. “She’s Alpha Derick’s Luna. He announced her at the party.”

Another silence followed.

But this one wasn’t shock.

It was something else—something Matthew was trying hard to swallow.

“Did you see?” he started, then abruptly stopped.

“What?” I asked sharply. “See what?”

“Nothing,” he replied too quickly. “Forget it.”

No, Matthew. Say it.

“It’s nothing important. Leave it,” he muttered, his nervousness clear.

I wanted to press him further, but exhaustion held me back. Instead, we shifted to safer topics—pack affairs, border patrol, and the elders’ usual headaches. Finally, I asked, “How’s Zara?”

“She missed you yesterday,” he said. “But she’s fine. She’s with the nanny.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Good. I’ll be back this evening.”

“All right, Alpha.”

The call ended, plunging the room back into its aching silence.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

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