Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 284

**TITLE: No More 284**
**Chapter 284**

**Reven’s POV**

The atmosphere during the remainder of dinner grew increasingly tense after Zara’s unexpected inquiry.

It was an unsettling silence.

Not a single soul uttered another word. Ethan’s furtive glances toward me were persistent, while Matthew kept his attention glued to the children, who were blissfully unaware of the tension around them. I feigned interest in the meal before me, which felt uncomfortably heavy in my stomach. All I could think about was how desperately I wanted the evening to conclude.

Once we cleared our plates, I stood abruptly, eager to escape the strained environment. I ushered the kids toward their room, relieved that they would finally be sharing a space again. They had been apart for far too long, and it was time for them to reconnect.

I tucked them into bed, the soft fabric of their blankets rustling as they settled in, clutching their pillows tightly. Zara grasped my hand with a reassuring grip, her tiny fingers wrapping around mine as I began to read from their favorite storybook.

Minutes passed, and one by one, their breathing grew softer, the gentle rise and fall of their chests indicating they were slipping into the comforting embrace of sleep.

A warm smile spread across my face as I lovingly covered them with the blanket, ensuring they were snug.

“Have a good night, my little ones,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

Gently, I pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads, feeling the warmth radiate from their small bodies. After turning off the light, I slipped out of the room, making sure the door was barely ajar.

Yet, even as the corridor behind me descended into silence, I was acutely aware that sleep eluded me.

My mind felt like a tangled web, heavy with thoughts and unspoken words. I craved fresh air, a moment of clarity.

I knew just the place to seek solace.

The garden.

It was my sanctuary, my favorite spot within the entire pack house.

In the past, when life became unbearable, I would escape to this very garden, finding refuge among the flora. I would sit for hours, allowing the gentle whispers of the wind to soothe my troubled mind, inhaling the fragrant blooms, convincing myself that somewhere in this chaotic world, peace existed—even if it was nowhere to be found within me.

I hoped against hope that the garden remained unchanged.

As I navigated the familiar path, my feet moved almost instinctively, guided by memories etched deep within me. When I finally approached the entrance, a wave of nostalgia washed over me like a warm embrace.

It was just as I remembered.

Not a single detail had shifted.

The moonlight bathed the plants in a soft glow, illuminating the delicate petals that danced in the cool night breeze. The fresh air caressed my skin, bringing with it a sense of comfort I had longed for.

Stepping further into the garden felt like stepping back in time.

Everything was just as I had left it.

The flowers I had secretly planted years ago still thrived, vibrant and alive.

My favorites.

I bent down and carefully plucked one, inhaling its sweet scent, and found it just as exquisite as I remembered.

“I’m glad you love them,” a deep voice resonated from behind me, startling me.

I jumped, the flower slipping from my grasp as I spun around in surprise.

Alpha Ethan stood there, his presence both familiar and unsettling.

“Can’t I have a moment of peace?” I retorted sharply, locking my gaze onto his.

A soft laugh escaped him, not mocking but tinged with a weariness that made my heart ache.

“You can,” he replied, his tone sincere. “But first, I need to share something with you.”

“I’m not interested,” I shot back, my impatience flaring as I turned to leave.

Yet, my feet stubbornly remained rooted to the ground, as if waiting for something I couldn’t quite understand.

He took a step closer, closing the distance between us.

“Reven,” he said softly, “just bear with me for a moment. Please.”

With a heavy sigh, I turned back to him, annoyance bubbling within me.

“You have less than two minutes to say whatever it is you need to say,” I warned him, crossing my arms defiantly.

He nodded, his expression earnest.

“I know you’re not happy,” he began, his voice slow and measured. “I understand you didn’t want to come with me.”

“Then why did you bring me here?” I snapped, frustration spilling over. “And now that I’m here, has anything really changed? No. Nothing has changed.”

“Look, Reven—”

“No, you look,” I interrupted, my anger rising. “You hurt me for years. You made choices that haunt me in my dreams. You pushed me to the brink of wanting to end it all.”

His jaw clenched, and I could see the pain etched across his face.

“I know,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “And I’m not proud of anything I did. I’m sorry. Truly sorry. I’m not asking you to forgive me right now. But I promise you this… even if it takes a thousand tears, even if I have to beg every single day… I will prove to you that I’ve changed.”

A bitter laugh escaped me, devoid of any humor.

“I don’t want you,” I said coldly. “I want to go back. I want to continue my life with Derrick. That’s all I’m asking for.”

I turned to leave, desperate to distance myself from this painful conversation.

But before I could take a full step away, Ethan grasped my hand, pulling me back toward him.

I lost my balance and fell into his lap, his arms instinctively wrapping around my waist.

“Let me go,” I whispered, though my voice lacked conviction.

I attempted to rise, but something held me there.

Perhaps it was his warmth.

Or maybe it was my own swirling confusion.

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