Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 283

**TITLE: No More 283**

**Chapter 283**

**Reven’s POV**

I found myself standing there, utterly motionless, as he opened his arms wide, inviting me into his embrace.

For a fleeting moment, I was paralyzed, unsure of how to respond. My eyes widened in disbelief, my heart leaped into my throat, and a constricting tightness gripped me.

It had been five long years since I last laid eyes on him, yet the instant I saw his familiar face, the warmth and solace he had once provided washed over me like a soothing tide.

With hesitant steps, I moved closer and enveloped him in a tight hug, as if trying to merge our two worlds back together.

It was only when I felt the gentle rub of his hand on my back that I realized tears were streaming down my cheeks, unbidden and raw.

“I missed you, Reven,” he whispered softly, his voice a balm to my aching heart. “Five years is far too long.”

I clung to him even tighter, my chest trembling with a surge of emotions I had thought long buried.

He had always been my pillar of strength during those dark days with Alpha Ethan, the only beacon of light that pierced through the suffocating shadows.

Even in my depths of despair, he was the one who had urged me to fight for my breath, to find hope again.

After what felt like an eternity, I reluctantly forced myself to release him from my grasp.

He stepped back slightly, his gaze scrutinizing my face as if he were trying to memorize every change that had taken place.

“Reven… you haven’t changed one bit,” he remarked, a small, genuine smile breaking across his features.

I opened the door wider, welcoming him into my sanctuary.

“Come in.”

He entered my room and settled onto the small sofa, while I took a seat directly across from him, hastily wiping away the remnants of my tears.

“How have you been doing, Reven?” he inquired, leaning forward with concern etched on his face.

“I’m fine,” I replied softly, though the word felt inadequate to encapsulate my reality.

His brow arched skeptically, revealing his disbelief.

“You didn’t think to call me all these years? After you told me you were pregnant, you vanished. I spent months trying to reach you.”

A wave of guilt washed over me as he continued, “At one point, I was terrified something had happened to you. I even sent Alpha Ethan to look for you.”

My heart sank at the revelation.

I had been under the impression that it was Ethan’s idea, not Matthew’s.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “After that day… your mate called me. She insisted I keep my distance from you. She didn’t want me disrupting your life.”

His jaw clenched with anger, and I could see the tension in his body.

“Reven, I told her long ago that you were just a friend. She had no right to dictate anything.”

“It’s okay,” I interjected softly, not wanting to stir up old wounds. “I didn’t want to create any problems. So, I left. I tried to find a job, and… on my way home, Derrick hit me with his car. That’s how he found me.”

His eyes widened in disbelief.

“You went through all that? Alone?”

I nodded, feeling the weight of my solitude.

He exhaled deeply, rubbing his face in frustration and guilt.

“Reven… you should have told me. About the kids too. Why didn’t you tell Ethan?”

His question hit me like a punch to the gut, and my heart felt heavy in my chest.

“I was terrified of him,” I confessed, my voice trembling. “I didn’t want him to find us. I couldn’t bear the thought of my children being anywhere near his madness.”

He reached out, taking my hand in his, his touch gentle yet firm.

“Reven, listen to me… things are different now. Ethan is—”

“Please don’t,” I interrupted, my voice rising slightly. “Don’t defend him. You know what he did to me. You were there.”

He tightened his grip on my hands, his expression earnest.

“I know. I know everything he did. But he’s not the same man anymore.”

The maids began serving the food, and I helped my children with their plates, ensuring they wouldn’t stain their clothes in the process.

Halfway through our meal, Zara’s sweet little voice broke the silence.

“Alpha Ethan, I had a great time with my siblings today,” she said joyfully. “I pray they never leave me again.”

My throat tightened instantly, and I struggled to swallow the lump that formed, fighting back tears.

Then Lucian chimed in, his voice small yet filled with hope.

“Mummy, we love this place… and we don’t want to go back. Can you call Daddy and ask him to let us stay?”

My heart stopped, panic coursing through me as I glanced at Ethan, uncertain of his reaction.

Before I could even take a breath, Ethan set down his fork and spoke, his voice deep and steady.

“Don’t worry, Lucian,” he assured, his tone calm yet authoritative. “You’re not going back. You will stay here. With your real daddy… okay?”

Lucian’s eyes sparkled with excitement, oblivious to the weight of those words.

I, however, was trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief.

I shot Ethan a furious glare, but he seemed unfazed.

Just then, Zara spoke again, her gentle voice tugging at my heartstrings.

“Mummy,” she said softly.

I turned to her slowly, my heart aching.

“I have missed you so much,” she continued, her eyes wide with innocence. “Will you have time to play with us tomorrow?”

Her pleading gaze was impossible to resist.

“Yes, baby. I’ll play with you tomorrow,” I promised, my heart swelling.

She beamed at me, her joy lighting up the room, and then added softly,

“And one more thing, mummy… promise you and my siblings will never leave me again…”