Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317

Reven’s Pov

“How is this even possible?” I asked Matthew, disbelief written clearly across my face.

My voice came out weaker than I intended, fragile, almost trembling, as though I feared the walls themselves might overhear us and carry my doubts straight to Alpha Ethan.

My fingers twisted tightly in the hem of my dress, the fabric creasing under my grip as I stared at Matthew, silently begging him to laugh.

To tell me this was some cruel misunderstanding. That he had lost his mind for even thinking of something so reckless, so wrong.

But he didn’t laugh.

Instead, Matthew exhaled slowly, the sound heavy and burdened rubbed his palms together, and looked away from me. His gaze lingered on the floor, as if the words he was about to speak were too heavy to meet my eyes. I could see it then: the strain in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw. This wasn’t a suggestion he made lightly.

“You know how the full moon celebrations are,” Matthew said quietly, his voice low and careful. “Every full moon, the pack gathers. There’s drinking. Feasting. Music. Games. Laughter. Distractions.” He paused, then lifted his eyes to mine. “By the time the moon actually rises, most wolves are already intoxicated or lost in the excitement.”

I nodded slowly, my throat tight.

Of course I knew. Everyone did. The full moon was sacred, but the hours leading up to it were always chaotic. Even the most disciplined wolves let loose. Alphas drank freely. Warriors laughed louder. Boundaries blurred. It was the one night where rules bent just a little and consequences were often forgotten until morning.

“And?” I asked, though dread was already curling deep in my stomach.

Matthew stepped closer, lowering his voice even further, as though speaking softly might make the idea less dangerous. “What if… what if Alpha Ethan drinks too much? Enough that his senses dull. Enough that he won’t be able to tell who he’s really with.”

My heart skipped violently, slamming against my ribs. “Matthew I whispered, already sensing the edge of the cliff he was pushing me toward.

“What if,” he continued, pressing on before I could stop him, “you lure him away when he’s drunk? It would be easy, Raven You’re his mate. Even intoxicated, his wolf would respond to your

My breath hitched sharply. The room seemed to tilt, my ears ringing as if I’d been struck. I tasted fear and something bitter shame, maybe.

“You’re saying,” I swallowed hard, forcing the words past the knot in my throat. “You’re saying I should sleep with him while be doesn’t know it’s me?”

Matthew’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “I’m saying it’s the only way to stop him from marking Vera”

The room suddenly felt too small, too tight, as if the walls were closing in on me. I stumbled back a step, my legs unsteady beneath me. “And Vera?” I asked quietly, my voice barely holding together. “What happens to her?”

Matthew hesitated.

Just for a second.

But it was enough

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Chapter 317

“What if we distract her?” he said carefully. “Tire her out. Lock her somewhere dark. Somewhere safe but hidden. Somewhere no one would think to look until morning.”

I stared at him like I was seeing a stranger.

“Lock her up?” I repeated, my chest aching.

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“It wouldn’t be forever,” he insisted quickly. “Just long enough. Once the bond is sealed, once Alpha Ethan marks you“.

“I don’t want to be marked like that,” I interrupted, my voice breaking apart.

The words burst out of me before I could stop them, raw and desperate. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “I want my mate to know it’s me. I want him to choose me. To look at me and know he’s marking Raven. Not some shadow in the dark. Not a mistake he can’t even remember.”

Silence crashed down between us, thick and suffocating.

Matthew’s expression softened, pain flickering across his face. “I know,” he said quietly. “Believe me, Raven, I know. But think about the alternative.”

I shook my head slowly, dread pooling in my stomach like poison.

“If you do nothing,” he continued, his voice steady but firm, “he marks Vera. Once that happens, it’s over. The bond seals permanently. You’ll feel it, Reven. Every day. Every breath. Knowing your mate belongs to someone else.”

“No,” I whispered, my voice trembling “I don’t want that.”

“Then this is the only way out,” Matthew said. “I’ve thought about it again and again. There is no other path unless you want to walk away from the pack entirely

I turned away from him, pressing my palm against my chest as if I could steady my racing heart. Walk away? Leave everything? Leave my home? Leave him?

I couldn’t.

“Give me space,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need to think.”

Matthew studied me for a long moment, his eyes filled with worry and regret, then nodded. “Okay, I’ll give you time. Just… know that whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

I forced a small smile, though it felt like it might shatter my face “Thank you.”

When he left the room, the door clicking shut softly behind him my strength finally gave out.

I collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as silent tears slid down my cheeks and soaked into the pillow beneath my

head.

“I don’t want him to mark her,” I whispered brokenly.

My wolf stirred inside me, her presence warm but heavy with sadness. I know how you feel, she murmured gently. But if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to.

“And if I don’t?” I whispered back, my chest tightening painfully

Then he marks Vera, she said softly.

A sob tore from my throat.

I rolled onto my side, curling into myself as memories flooded my mind Ethan’s voice, deep and commanding; his scent,

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Chapter 317

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intoxicating and familiar; the way my body reacted to him even when my heart ached. Fate had tied us together cruelly, binding my soul to a man who didn’t even know the truth.

“I just wanted him to choose me,” I whispered into the darkness. Is that too much to ask?”

My wolf said nothing.

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