Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 287

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**Chapter 287**

**Reven’s POV**

I found myself rooted to the spot, watching as Amanda regarded Alpha Ethan with an intensity that was anything but ordinary. There was an undeniable peculiarity about her presence that sent a shiver down my spine.

Her scent enveloped the room—soft and warm, yet tinged with an essence that felt almost ancient, as if she carried the weight of forgotten stories within her.

Unlike everyone else who quailed before him, she exuded a calmness that was almost unsettling. It was as though she possessed knowledge that eluded the rest of us, a secret that hovered just beyond our grasp.

“Amanda, what brings you to my study without prior notice?” Alpha Ethan’s voice rumbled, low and gravelly, a storm brewing beneath the surface of his words. His expression twisted into a mask of fury, a sight that typically sent the bravest of souls scurrying away.

His jaw tightened, and his eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, the kind that made most people instinctively take a step back. Yet, Amanda remained unmoved, her gaze steady and unwavering.

With a slight bow of her head, she replied, “I apologize, Alpha. I have an urgent message for you, and I wished to ensure it reached you without delay.”

Her tone was gentle but resolute. Meanwhile, I stood there, a bundle of nerves, unsure of where to place my hands. I wished for the ground to swallow me whole, but I knew I couldn’t leave without his express permission.

Then, as if sensing my inner turmoil, Amanda turned her gaze toward me.

She truly looked at me.

Her eyes held a depth that I couldn’t quite articulate, a connection that sent an uncomfortable thrill through my veins. I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting her to penetrate the veil I had so carefully constructed around my heart. I feared that her penetrating stare might uncover the secrets I desperately wished to keep hidden.

“You can dismiss her, Alpha. This matter is confidential,” she said softly, still holding my gaze.

My breath hitched in my throat. I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words.

Alpha Ethan regarded her for a long moment, his eyes darting between her and me, a flicker of confusion crossing his features. His brows furrowed slightly, as if he were grappling with the very notion of confidentiality. Finally, he spoke.

“No. Continue with what you have to say.”

I blinked in disbelief. Why hadn’t he ordered me to leave? This was unprecedented. He never let me remain in the room when matters of such significance were being discussed.

A sense of alarm began to pulse through me, quickening my heartbeat. Something was amiss.

To my surprise, Amanda turned to leave, and for a fleeting moment, relief washed over me. Perhaps she was departing because I was still here. But just as she took her third step, Alpha Ethan’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife.

“Stop. Don’t go. I need you here.”

Amanda halted immediately, her body stiffening as she slowly pivoted back to face him. I could hear the rhythm of her breathing, slow and deliberate, as if she were preparing to deliver news that would alter everything.

Alpha Ethan crossed his arms over his chest, his expression hardening, yet I could detect a flicker of concern lurking in the depths of his eyes. I recognized that look; I had seen it before when he believed no one was watching.

With a deep inhale, Amanda steadied herself.

“Alpha, you must take the findings regarding your second chance mate with utmost seriousness.”

My heart plummeted.

Second chance mate?

A chill swept through me, and my hands turned icy. A rush of heat followed, only to dissipate as quickly as it had come.

What could this woman possibly mean?

Why was she uttering such words in this very room? Why with me standing right beside him?

I kept my gaze lowered, but inside, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. I understood what she was implying. I was painfully aware of the implications. But I fervently hoped she hadn’t noticed the turmoil within me. I prayed she didn’t sense the truth I was trying to conceal.

She must not discover it.

She must not.

I wrapped my arms tightly around my stomach, desperate to shield my discomfort from view.

Alpha Ethan’s eyes bore into her, sharp and unyielding. “I have searched for her for over five years. Five years and counting.”

His voice dropped to a gravelly whisper, laden with exhaustion. “I am weary, Amanda. I don’t even know how to find her when my wolf remains silent.”

Silent?

My chest constricted painfully. I was acutely aware that his wolf was not behaving as it should. I had felt it, through the bond I had tried so hard to deny. But hearing him voice that frustration made something twist agonizingly within me.