Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 282

**Chapter 282**

**Reven’s POV**

Two hundred fifty-five vouchers.

The driver maneuvered the car in silence, the asphalt stretching endlessly before us like a dark ribbon unfurling into the horizon. I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, feeling a strange juxtaposition as my breath fogged the surface, a fleeting warmth that felt utterly alien to me.

My thoughts had long since abandoned the vehicle, drifting back to shadows of a past I had fought so hard to bury. The pack house loomed in my memory, its hallways echoing with whispers of a life I never wanted to revisit. Each corner held fragments of me that I wished to forget.

The children in the back seat were a stark contrast to my turmoil; their excitement filled the air like bright, tinkling bells. Lucian was practically bouncing between the seats, his eager voice ringing out as he peppered Alpha Ethan with questions about where we would go first. Lyra, with her infectious giggles, pressed her small hands against the window, her wide eyes drinking in the blur of passing trees.

Their joy should have ignited a warmth within me.

But it didn’t.

Instead, my stomach twisted into knots.

I was on my way back to the very place that had once shattered me.

I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to maintain a semblance of composure, even as each breath felt like a struggle. With every mile that brought us closer, an invisible weight pressed down on my chest, making it increasingly difficult to draw in air.

I tried to redirect my attention to the gentle rhythm of the car—the soft hum of the engine, the children’s laughter, and the shifting scent of pine trees as we neared Ethan’s territory.

But my mind… my mind was ensnared in the past.

I sensed Ethan’s gaze upon me, his concern palpable.

Suddenly, he leaned forward slightly from the front seat, his voice a low murmur that cut through the tension. “Reven… why are you so quiet?”

At the sound of his voice, I closed my eyes, the gentleness of his tone striking a nerve. It was softer, almost timid, as if he feared that a louder word might shatter me. Yet, that very gentleness only tightened the knots within me.

Why now?

Why show kindness when the damage had already been done?

I opened my eyes slowly, focusing on the back of his head, my voice coming out harsher than I intended. “Don’t ask me such questions, Ethan,” I whispered, my tone laced with bitterness. “Do you expect me to be happy? To leap into your arms? When you’re dragging me back to the place that destroyed me?”

He didn’t turn to face me.

He didn’t raise his voice.

He didn’t snap at me as he once might have done.

Instead, he took a deep breath, his calmness almost infuriating. “And who said you won’t have peace… in my place?” he replied quietly.

His place.

I let out a shaky breath, fighting against the burn of tears threatening to spill. “Ethan, stop pretending. Stop trying to dress this up as something sweet. Don’t say things like that to someone who knows you well. Say it to someone who doesn’t understand the truth, not to me.”

I could see the muscle in his jaw clench.

He heard the pain woven into my words.

And that pain cut deeper than any insult ever could.

Just then, the driver’s voice broke through the thick tension that hung in the air like a heavy fog. “We have arrived, Alpha.”

The words hit me like a sudden gust of wind, stealing my breath away. I had been so consumed by my anger and memories that I hadn’t even noticed the change in the landscape, the familiar scent of the forest enveloping us as we crossed the border, or the distant sounds of warriors training.

As realization washed over me, I blinked in confusion.

We were here.

The pack house loomed before us, grander, brighter, and more breathtaking than I remembered. Its walls gleamed white and strong, the training grounds appeared immaculate, and the gardens to the left were bursting with flowers that hadn’t existed five years ago.

Everything had transformed, yet it felt like a punch to the gut.

Before the driver could bring the car to a complete stop, I flung open the door and stepped out, letting the fresh air wash over me like a wave.

It was as if I were straddling two timelines at once: the person I used to be and the person I had become after leaving.

I helped the kids down, and as soon as their little feet hit the ground, their eyes widened in awe.

“Wow…” Lucian gasped, his voice filled with wonder.

“Uncle Ethan’s pack is beautiful!” Lyra squealed, her delight infectious.

“More beautiful than Daddy’s own!” Lucian exclaimed loudly, his enthusiasm ringing in the air.

I shot them a warning glare. “Lucian, don’t speak like that.”

But Ethan merely chuckled softly behind me, a sound that felt both comforting and infuriating.

The children bounced with excitement, their gazes fixed on the towering building.

And I…

I stood there, staring in disbelief.

Five years.

Five years away.

Five years of healing.

Five years of avoiding this place.

And now, here I was, standing in front of it again… because of him.

Maids hurried out, bowing to Ethan before swiftly taking our bags. Their familiar scents washed over me, a mix of old faces and new ones. Their eyes widened in shock as they whispered amongst themselves, glancing in my direction.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a small voice broke through the moment.

“Daddy!!”

A tiny girl burst out of the pack house like a ray of sunshine, launching herself into Ethan’s arms. Her small hands gripped him tightly, and he bent down to lift her with a tenderness that struck me like a fresh wound.

She was beautiful.

Soft curls framed her face.

Warm brown eyes sparkled with innocence.

Chubby cheeks that begged to be pinched.

She looked to be around five years old.

My heart stopped.

That must be… his daughter.

A painful tightness gripped my throat.

The girl pulled back slightly, her curious gaze flitting between me and the kids. “Daddy, who are they?”

Ethan inhaled slowly, his eyes darting to mine for a brief moment before he replied, “That… is your mom.”

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