Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257

Alpha Ethan’s Pov

The soft hum of my laptop filled the quiet study as I sat behind my desk, trying to focus on the mountain of documents that had piled up over the week.

The dim yellow light from the lamp bathed the room in a faint glow, dancing across stacks of files and unopened letters.

The air smelled faintly of ink, paper, and the bitter coffee that had long gone cold beside me.

I glanced at the time. 6:13 p.m.

A sigh escaped me as I realized what that meant. Zara.

I had promised again that I would pick her up from school today. It wasn’t just any day; it was Parents‘ Teachers Meeting Day.

She had been so excited this morning, wearing her favorite blue dress, her curls bouncing as she talked about how her classmates‘ parents would be there. I had smiled at her enthusiasm, telling her, “Of course, I’ll be there, sweetheart.”

But like so many other days, duty had chained me to this desk.

The guilt pricked at my conscience like sharp thorns.

I rubbed a hand over my face, leaning back in the chair, when suddenly, the door opened without a knock.

I was about to scold whoever it was until I looked up and saw her.

“Zara…” I breathed out, relief washing through me. “You’re back.”

She stood there silently, her small frame framed by the soft hallway light..

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Her backpack hung loosely off one shoulder, and her brown eyes usually so bright looked dull. I opened my arms for her. “Come here, princess.”

But she didn’t move. Instead, she walked past me and sat down in the chair across from the desk, placing her bag gently beside her.

I blinked, lowering my hands. Something was wrong,

“What’s the matter?” I asked carefully, studying her expression.

She looked at me then and it broke my heart, “You promised to come today,” she said softly.

I swallowed hard. “Zara”

“You always promise, Daddy,” she cut in, her voice trembling slightly. “You say you’ll come, but you never do. Today was the parents‘ meeting, and everyone’s mom or dad came.

Everyone except you.” Her small fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress as she fought to hold back her tears, “Mrs. White even asked where you were… and I didn’t know what to say.”

My throat tightened. For a moment, I couldn’t speak. All the power, all the authority I carried as an alpha, meant nothing compared to the disappointment in my daughter’s voice.

I rose slowly, walked around the desk, and crouched beside her. “Hey…” I whispered softly, lifting her chin gently.

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“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I really am. I got stuck with work again. But I promise, it won’t happen next time.”

She sniffled, her eyes glassy as she looked at me. “You promise?”

I nodded solemnly. “I promise.”

She hesitated, then finally leaned forward and wrapped her small arms around my neck. I hugged her tight, closing my eyes as guilt gave way to a bittersweet warmth.

She was all I had my little miracle. And somehow, I kept letting her down.

A soft knock came at the door, breaking the moment.

Zara frowned immediately, and I gave her a small smile. “Duty calls,” I murmured.

“Come in,” I said aloud.

A guard stepped inside, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Alpha,” he greeted respectfully, holding out a sealed brown envelope. “This was delivered at the gate. Marked urgent.”

“From who?”

“I don’t know, sir. It came through a courier from California.”

“Alright. You may go.”

He bowed and left. I tore open the envelope as Zara watched curiously.

Inside was a thick white card with a gold border and embossed writing. My eyes scanned the elegant text.

It wasn’t just a birthday invitation it was a ceremonial event.

The Alpha of the Silvercrest Moon Pack cordially invites you to attend his resignation ceremony and birthday banquet,. where he will officially hand over leadership to his son, Alpha Derick Lockwood.

My eyes lingered on the name Derick Lockwood.

I leaned back slowly, thinking.

The Lockwoods. A name that carried weight even among the most feared of Alphas.

Their pack was known for its strength, influence, and absolute control over the western territories.

For years, they’d stood unmatched, both in battle and in politics.

I’d heard stories of Alpha Derick -the son. Young, yet already commanding the kind of authority seasoned Alphas struggled to earn in decades. Intelligent. Strategic. Ruthless when crossed.

If the father was truly stepping down, this event would draw every major Alpha from across the continent. It wouldn’t just be a celebration – it would be a gathering of power.

“Daddy, what’s that?” Zara asked, her eyes narrowing as she tried to read the letter from her chair.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” I said with a small smile, folding it carefully. “Just an invitation.”

“Invitation? To what?” she pressed.

“To an Alpha’s birthday and resignation ceremony.”

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She gasped softly, eyes widening. “A birthday? Are we going?”

I chuckled. “I don’t know yet. It’s for adults, sweetheart. Besides, it’s far – all the way in California.”

Her shoulders slumped, disappointment replacing her earlier curiosity. “But I love birthdays… and I’ve never been to

California.”

I brushed my hand gently over her hair. “Maybe when you’re older.”

She gave me a small nod, her expression softening. “Okay. I’ll go freshen up before dinner.”

“Good girl,” I said as she hopped down from the chair and skipped toward the door.

She turned to wave before disappearing down the hall, leaving me alone once more.

Silence returned to the room, heavier than before. I stared at the letter on my desk, the golden letters shimmering faintly under the lamplight.

A resignation ceremony and a birthday.

Something about it didn’t feel simple.

I had never received a personal invitation from the Lockwoods before.

The last time our packs had crossed paths had been during a border dispute years ago, and while things ended peacefully, there was always an unspoken tension beneath the surface. So why now? Why me?

I turned the envelope over again, noticing the embossed seal – a wolf’s head, its eyes carved in silver ink, mouth open in a

snarl.

A strange insignia. I’d seen it once before… on an old alliance document from years ago, one that had gone missing after the Lockwoods‘ last war.

I frowned, my mind racing.

Was this merely a political gesture, or something deeper?

If every major Alpha attended, there would be opportunities new alliances; trade expansions, and maybe a chance to strengthen my pack’s influence.

But something deep inside warned me that the Lockwoods didn’t do anything‘ without purpose.

And if this “ceremony” was just a cover for something else….

I leaned back in my chair, eyes fixed on the letter.

For years, there had been rumors that the old Alpha Lockwood was ill some even whispered that he was being forced to step down by his son.

I had dismissed it as gossip, but now… the invitation’s timing made me wonder.

If Derick were taking over, the balance of power would shift.

A new Alpha meant new leadership, new enemies, and perhaps new alliances to form or destroy,

“Maybe I should go,” I murmured under my breath.

I ran a hand across my chin, weighing the options. Attending meant stepping into a room filled with powerful Alphas, many of whom would love to see me fail. But it could also mean opportunity.

Still, something in my gut whispered that this wouldn’t be an