Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 253

Chapter 253

Reven’s Pov

“Just relax, I’m not fighting with you,” Derrick’s mom said softly, as if she’d noticed how stiff I’d suddenly

become.

Her voice was calm, almost soothing, but there was something in her tone a sharp edge hidden beneath the sweetness that made my stomach tighten.

I could feel Derrick’s eyes on me from across the table. His mother’s sudden interruption had caught everyone off guard, especially me. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“Mom,” Derrick spoke first, his brows furrowed slightly. “What did you want from her that you had to stop her from going?”

His mother’s eyes flicked briefly toward him, her expression unreadable. “Derrick, stay out of this,” she said firmly, her voice laced with quiet authority.

“Mother”

“Please.” Her tone left no room for argument. “This is between Raven and me. I just need a few minutes of her time.”

My throat went dry.

I glanced at Derrick, unsure whether I should stay or try to excuse myself. His eyes softened as they met mine, and he gave a small nod, a silent reassurance, go.

I swallowed hard and stood up slowly, forcing a faint smile toward the table.

Derrick’s mother rose gracefully, her movements elegant and deliberate, then turned and began walking toward the grand staircase that led to the second floor.

My heart thumped nervously as I followed her. I didn’t know what she wanted to talk about, but judging from her tone, it wasn’t something pleasant. Every step I took felt heavier than the last.

When we reached the second floor, she led me through a corridor lined with paintings and stopped at a wide balcony that overlooked the pack grounds. The morning breeze swept gently through, carrying the faint scent of pine and rain. There were two chairs and a small round table set near the railing.

Derrick’s mother walked toward one of the chairs and sat down with quiet composure. She gestured to the seat opposite her.

“Sit down, Raven,” she said.

I hesitated for a moment before obeying. My palms were slightly sweaty as I clasped them together on my lap. The silence that hung between us was almost unbearable.

After a moment, she reached for the glass jug on the table and poured two drinks, one for herself and one for me. The sound of the liquid filling the glass was the only noise that filled the space.

She slid the glass toward me. “Have some,” she offered.

I shook my head slightly. “No, thank you. I… I don’t really want to drink.”

Her lips curved into a faint smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Suit yourself.” She took a small sip from her own glass, setting it back down carefully. Then she leaned back in her chair, studying me in silence for several seconds.

The way she looked at me made me shift uncomfortably in my seat as though she were evaluating me, weighing my worth.

“Do you know why I brought you here?” she finally asked.

I swallowed, my voice barely steady. “You said you wanted to talk.”

“Yes,” she nodded slowly. “About you… and my son.”

I froze. “What about us?”

She folded her hands neatly on her lap, her face calm but her tone carrying the faint chill of authority. “I’ve tried, Reven,” she began. “I’ve tried to keep the both of you apart, but it seems it isn’t working. No matter what I say, Derrick refuses to listen. He’s stubborn just like his father.”

I lowered my gaze, unsure how to respond.

“So,” she continued smoothly, “I think it’s high time I send you off myself.”

My head snapped up, confusion flashing across my face. “Send me off?” I blinked. “What do you mean?”

Her lips curled into a faint, almost polite smile. “I’m offering you an opportunity, Raven. One that’s… quite generous.” She reached into the small clutch purse resting beside her and took out a folded document not a paper, but a check. She placed it on the table between us and slid it toward me.

I stared at it for a moment, my brain refusing to process what was happening.

“I’m offering you a million dollars,” she said calmly, “for you to leave my son and go wherever you want. You can take your children and start a new life far away from here.”

The words hit me like a slap. My mouth went dry as I stared at her in disbelief. For a moment, I thought I’d misheard her.

“I’m sorry… what?” I finally managed to say, my voice shaking.

“You heard me,” she replied, her tone unwavering. “One million dollars. That’s enough to start a new life, isn’t it? You could buy a house, open a business, and give your kids a comfortable life without all the judgment and scrutiny of living here. Think about what this money could do for you.”

I blinked again, my mind spinning. “Is this… is this why you asked me to come here?”

“Of course,” she said, lifting her glass and taking another calm sip. “I thought it best to speak privately, I don’t want a scene in front of my son.”

Anger and disbelief surged through me at once. I clenched my hands together on my lap, trying to control the tremor in my voice. “You want to buy me off,” I said slowly. “You think you can just throw money at me and I’ll disappear?”

She met my gaze, her expression steady and cold. “I’m trying to help both of you, Raven. Derrick doesn’t see reason when it comes to you. He’s blinded by whatever it is he feels. But this,” she gestured at the check, “this could solve everything. You could leave peacefully, with no one getting hurt. Think about what’s best for your children. Think about what this money can give them: stability, safety, and freedom from judgment.”

Her words cut like knives. I could feel heat building behind my eyes.

“I’ve tolerated enough,” I said, my voice low but firm.

She tilted her head slightly. “I beg your pardon?”

I stood up slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. “I know you don’t like me. You’ve never hidden it, and that’s fine. You don’t want your son marrying me; I get it. Maybe I’m not what you imagined for him. Maybe I don’t fit into your perfect picture of what an Alpha’s Luna should be.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing.

away

“But don’t you ever,” I continued, my voice trembling with anger, “think you can bribe me to walk from him. I’m not some cheap thing you can buy with money.”

She sighed, her expression unreadable. “Raven”

“No!” I snapped, cutting her off. “You think I’m here for his position? For his wealth? You think I endured everything the stares, the judgment, the whispers because I wanted money? I’m still here because I love him. That’s the only reason I haven’t walked away yet.”

Her gaze softened slightly, but I could see the tension in her jaw. “Love doesn’t always mean happiness, dear,” she said quietly. “Sometimes walking away is the kindest thing you can do.”

“Then let me decide when to walk away,” I said sharply. “Because it won’t be because you offered me a million dollars.”

The wind picked up slightly, blowing strands of hair across my face. I could feel my entire body trembling, not from fear but from anger.

Derrick’s mother leaned back in her chair, watching me carefully. There was no satisfaction in her eyes, just quiet calculation, as if she were studying how far I’d go to defend my place in her son’s life.

I took a deep breath, forcing back the lump forming in my throat. “If you think money can buy love,” I said, “then maybe you never understood your son at all.”

For the first time, I saw something flicker across her face a brief flash of surprise, maybe even hurt. But it disappeared as quickly as it came.

I straightened my shoulders, gathering every bit of pride I had left. “I’ll tell you this once, Luna,” I said, my tone steady. “I’m not staying here because of you, and I’m not leaving because of you. Derrick is the only reason I’m still here. Because he loves me, and I love him. You can keep your money.”

Her lips parted slightly, but I didn’t give her the chance to reply.

“I’ve had enough of your games,” I said, turning away. “You can keep your offers and your opinions. But stay out of my life and your son’s.”

I pushed back my chair so hard it scraped against the floor. My hands were shaking, my heart hammering painfully against my ribs.

I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I walked toward the door, but I didn’t stop. My wolf stirred angrily inside me, echoing my fury.

“She crossed the line,” my wolf growled.

“I know,” I whispered back.

When I reached the door, I paused for just a moment and looked back over my shoulder. Derrick’s mother was still seated there, her expression unreadable, one manicured hand resting on the untouched check.

For a split second, I thought I saw something in her eyes maybe regret, maybe pride, or maybe the cold satisfaction of a plan set in motion.

But I didn’t wait to find out.

I turned on my heel and walked out of the balcony, my steps quick, my pulse still racing.

I didn’t know what I was going to tell Derrick – or if I was going to tell him at all.