Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 266

Reven’s Point of View

“Why on earth did you bring the kids here?” I snapped sharply at the nanny, my tone far harsher than I intended.

She recoiled instantly, her fingers tightening protectively around Lyra’s tiny hand, while Lucian peeked out from behind her leg, his wide eyes filled with confusion and uncertainty.

A sharp pang of guilt stabbed at my chest, but the damage was done—the words had escaped me like a lash.

“I’m really sorry, Luna,” the nanny stammered, her voice trembling. “They… they really wanted to see their dad. I tried to stop them, but…” Her words trailed off, fading into the background noise because all I could register was the phrase: their dad.

Derick.

That name hit me like a thunderclap.

Derick was the man they called their father—the husband I was married to in every legal and official sense.

Derick, the man who had taken me in when I was shattered, when I had nothing left to give, when I believed I would never be enough for anyone ever again.

Derick, who held me through every nightmare and every dark hour.

Derick, who never pressed me for answers I wasn’t ready to give.

Derick, who looked at the twins as if they were blessings sent down by the Moon Goddess herself.

Yet, the moment the nanny uttered “their dad,” my eyes did not dart toward Derick.

Instead, they found Ethan.

He was sitting stiffly at the far end of the table—pale, motionless, frozen in place.

His fork slipped from his hand, clattering loudly against his plate, breaking the fragile quiet.

Everyone’s attention turned to him, but he wasn’t seeing any of them.

His gaze was locked solely on Lucian.

My heart sank deep into my stomach.

This couldn’t be happening.

This morning was supposed to be simple—a quiet breakfast with Derick, his parents, maybe some light conversation before Ethan returned to his own pack.

I had steeled myself to ignore Ethan, to pretend he didn’t exist, to breathe through the storm raging inside me.

But then the kids appeared.

And everything spiraled out of control.

“Go sit,” Derick said gently, lifting Lyra into his arms. “Lucian, come here, buddy.”

Lucian ran eagerly to him, and Derick pressed soft kisses onto the tops of their heads before dismissing the nanny with a calm nod. He always handled situations with such tenderness—something I wished I possessed.

With the twins settled on his lap and the nanny gone, I fought desperately to keep my wolf calm. But she was restless already—pacing, whining, nudging me, urging me forward.

Go to him, she growled low and insistent. Go to Ethan.

“Shut up,” I hissed silently, trying to suppress the primal urge.

My wolf huffed but refused to quiet down.

Derick turned to me, his eyes warm and full of concern. “Love, why didn’t you want the kids to join us for breakfast?”

I exhaled slowly, forcing a casual tone. “I just wanted a quiet, adult breakfast. That’s all.”

He studied me for a long moment, his gaze lingering too long, making me look away quickly—anywhere but toward Ethan.

If my eyes met his, even for a second, my wolf might betray us both.

Lucian tugged on Derick’s shirt. “Daddy?”

“Yes, little warrior?”

Lucian pointed at Ethan, who stiffened again. “Daddy, who is that man?”

My stomach twisted painfully. I opened my mouth to answer, but Derick spoke first.

“He’s a friend,” Derick said gently, offering a soft smile. “And he’s an Alpha too.”

Lucian nodded, eyes bright with curiosity, then climbed down from Derick’s lap.

My breath hitched.

No. Lucian, no, stop.

But the boy was already walking straight toward Ethan.

Every muscle in my body tensed as I forced myself not to shout after him.

The last thing I wanted was a scene.

Yet watching my son—our son—approach Ethan made my heart ache painfully.

Lucian stopped in front of Ethan’s wheelchair and bowed slightly, as if he’d been taught proper manners. “Good morning, sir. My name is Lucian. It’s nice to meet you.”

Ethan swallowed hard. “N-Nice to meet you, Lucian. I’m Ethan.”

His gaze held mine, the muscle in his cheek twitching with tension. “Then where do you want to talk?”

I hated him for asking.

I hated how my wolf perked up, ears alert and tail raised.

I hated the way my heart raced, even though it shouldn’t.

Most of all, I hated him because a part of me still cared.

“Follow me,” I muttered.

Without waiting to see if he could keep up, I strode ahead. He wheeled silently behind me, tense and watchful like a storm rolling in.

I led him to the balcony—a quiet, secluded corner no one else ever used.

The cold air bit into my skin sharply.

Good.

Maybe it would numb the emotions clawing to escape.

“What do you want?” I demanded the moment we stepped outside. “Say whatever you have to say so you can leave.”

He looked up at me, his eyes dark and serious. “The kids.”

My heart stumbled.

“What about them?” I asked coldly. “What do you want?”

His voice dropped lower. “They’re mine.”

My breath caught, but I forced out a scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not,” he shot back fiercely. “I know what I felt. That pull. That connection.”

“And Lucian—he’s a damn mirror of me.”

“You saw two kids for the first time in your life this morning,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “They’re Derick’s.”

Ethan glared at me. “We rejected each other five years ago. They’re five. How stupid do you think I am?”

The wind howled around us, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging inside me.

“They’re Derick’s,” I repeated slowly, deliberately. “You’re nothing but a sperm donor.”