Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Reven’s Perspective

The moment I stepped into the room, Derick’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. “Where the hell have you been?” His tone was sharp, laced with an anger I hadn’t seen from him in a very long time.

He rose from the bed, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that felt like it was piercing straight through my chest. It wasn’t a loud outburst, but the weight of his gaze was heavy and suffocating.

I blinked, caught off guard by the unfamiliar look in his eyes—like he was staring at a stranger rather than the woman who had stood by his side for years.

“I—I just went out for some fresh air,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unease curling in my stomach.

Derick arched a brow, his gaze slowly drifting from my face down to my clothes—the same simple jeans and fitted top I had worn earlier.

“Fresh air?” he repeated with a scoff. “Dressed like that?”

I frowned, crossing my arms defensively. “And what’s wrong with what I’m wearing, Derick? Since when did getting fresh air become a crime?”

He shook his head, a dry, bitter laugh escaping him. “You know what the real problem is? You’re getting too good at lying. It’s like you do it without even thinking now.”

My heart sank at his words.

“Derick, what are you talking about?” I asked, voice trembling.

Instead of answering, he brushed past me, picked something up from the bed, and then pressed it into my hands.

A photograph.

I froze instantly.

My breath caught in my throat.

It was a picture of me and Alpha Ethan at the restaurant.

There I was, sitting across from him.

Uncomfortable, tense.

Unaware that I was being watched.

So I hadn’t imagined it after all.

Someone really had been following me.

“Derick, please listen,” I pleaded. “It’s not what you think.”

“Oh, please,” he snapped, waving his hand dismissively, his eyes burning with fury. “Don’t insult my intelligence.”

“I’m not!” I insisted, stepping closer. “Alpha Ethan called me. He said it was important. He wanted to see me.”

“And you just ran to him?” Derick’s voice was sharp, accusing. “Not once did you stop to think?”

“I didn’t run to him,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I only wanted to talk. He begged me, Derick. I thought… I thought if I ended things properly, if I talked it out, maybe he’d stop interfering.”

Derick moved nearer, his jaw clenched so tightly I could see the muscles twitch beneath his skin.

“So you went there for closure?” he asked quietly, almost too quietly.

“Yes,” I replied.

“You expect me to believe that?” His voice dropped dangerously low.

My hands started trembling. “Because it’s the truth.”

His eyes flashed with something I couldn’t quite place.

“You still have feelings for him, Raven. Don’t deny it.”

I could see the accusation in his eyes, waiting for me to confirm it. “What?!” I snapped, unable to hold back. “Derick, shut the fuck up!”

His eyes widened slightly at my outburst, but I didn’t stop.

“You think I went there because I love him? Derick, be serious!” I cried.

“Think about what we’re going to do about him instead! Alpha Ethan isn’t just showing feelings. He wants the kids. And he wants me too. What are we going to do?”

Derick exhaled shakily, running his hands through his hair in frustration. “We’re not going to do anything,” he said firmly. “Because no one is taking those kids from me. I raised them. I sacrificed everything. I won’t let all that be for nothing.”

“I know, Derick. I know,” I whispered, reaching out to him.

But he stepped back, creating distance between us.

Then his voice shifted.

Lower.

Colder.

Darker.

He closed the gap again, eyes icy as he grabbed me by the neck, his grip tight and unyielding. I instinctively stepped back, fear prickling at my skin.

“Stop it, Derick. You’re hurting me,” I pleaded, but he didn’t seem to care.

“And you,” he said slowly, his gaze hard and unfeeling, “you are my property.”

“Until I’m done using you, Raven, you’re not going anywhere.”

I froze, the words hanging in the air like a cruel sentence.

“What did you just say?” I whispered, barely able to breathe.

He didn’t repeat himself.

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