Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 322

Chapter 322

Alpha Ethan’s POV

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I could feel the burning gaze of Vera on me from across the hall, sharp and accusing, like a blade pressed against my spine.

But for once, I didn’t turn.

For once, I didn’t care.

Because for the first time in a very long while, my heart felt certain.

The music swelled through the grand hall, deep and slow, wrapping itself around the gathered wolves beneath the full moon shining through the high arched windows.

Laughter echoed, glasses clinked, and the pack celebrated, unaware that my entire world was tilting on its axis.

My eyes were fixed on Raven.

She stood a few steps away, her dark dress hugging her form like it had been stitched by the moon goddess herself. The candlelight kissed her skin, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot how to breathe. She looked unreal. Strong and fragile all at once. The woman fate had torn from me once and, somehow, returned.

Before doubt could stop me, before fear could remind me of everything I’d ruined, I reached out.

My hand closed around hers.

She startled slightly, her fingers tensing in my grip, but I didn’t let go. Instead, I gently tugged her toward me.

“Dance with me,” I said, my voice low, almost rough.

The words weren’t a command. They were a plea.

For a second, she simply stared at me, her expression unreadable. The bond between us stirred, restless and cautious, like it didn’t quite trust me yet.

Then, slowly, she nodded.

I led her onto the dance floor, aware of every pair of eyes turning toward us. Whispers rippled through the hall, shock, and disbelief thick in the air. The Alpha and the woman everyone had once written off. The Luna who was never until now.

I placed one hand at her waist, carefully giving her space to pull away if she wanted to. She didn’t.

Instead, she rested her hand against my chest, over my heart.

And just like that, the music faded into the background.

11:00 Fri, Dec 26 d

Chapter 322

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We moved together, slow and hesitant at first, swaying to the rhythm. Her body was warm beneath my touch, familiar in a way that hurt. I’d spent years pretending I didn’t miss this. Pretending I didn’t miss her.

1 had been a fool.

As the song carried us, her steps grew more confident, and so did mine. We weren’t perfect; there was a slight stiffness, a hesitation that spoke of old wounds, but there was something else too.

Hope.

When the song finally came to an end, she gently pulled away, her hand slipping from mine. Without a word, she guided me off the dance floor and returned to her seat.

I followed.

The moment I sat beside her, silence fell between us, heavy and charged. I stole a glance at her, only to quickly look away when I realized she’d been watching me too.

My heart hammered like I was a young wolf again.

“Why?” she asked suddenly.

I turned back to her. “Why what?”

Her gaze locked onto mine, steady but vulnerable. “Why did you choose to mark me?”

The question struck deeper than any blade.

I inhaled slowly, deeply, steadying myself. This wasn’t something I could lie about, not to her.

“I don’t know,” I admitted at last.

She frowned slightly, surprised.

“I tried,” I continued, my voice quiet but firm. “I tried to make my mind accept Vera. I tried to force myself to believe that choosing her was the right thing–for the pack, for tradition, for everything I thought mattered.”

I shook my head bitterly. “But my mind wouldn’t allow it.”

Her fingers twitched against her lap.

“The last time I visited the seer,” I went on, “she described the woman who would stand beside me. My true Luna. Her strength. Her fire. Her scars.” I met Raven’s eyes again. “None of it matched Vera.”

The truth hung between us, raw and exposed.

I reached for Raven’s hand again, this time more gently, like she might shatter if I held her too tightly.

“I know I haven’t been the best mate to you,” I said. “I know the first time we were bound together it wasn’t all roses for you. I hurt you in ways no mate ever should.”

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Chapter 322

Guilt clawed at my chest, sharp and unforgiving.

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“I am sorry,” I said, the words tasting like both relief and pain. “And maybe just maybe the moon goddess didn’t make a mistake pairing us together again.”

She raised a brow, skepticism flashing across her face.

I gave a small, shaky smile. “What I mean is… you’ve given me a second chance.

A chance to show you how deeply I love you. How much I want to care for you. Adore you.”

Her lips parted slightly, disbelief flickering in her eyes.

“I’m not taking this second chance for granted,” I promised. “You will experience what it truly means to be loved by your mate. I swear to you, Reven, I will never hurt you again. And I will never allow anyone else to hurt you either.”

She searched my face, like she was looking for cracks, for lies. All she would find was truth.

“I’m still traumatized,” she said softly. “By everything that happened before.”

My chest tightened. “I know.”

I squeezed her hand gently. “And I understand. I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. I don’t expect trust without time.”

I hesitated, then asked the question that could either save me… or destroy me.

“But can you give me a chance?” I said. “A place in your life. So we can start afresh. Together. Build a strong family. A strong pack.”

She was quiet for a long moment.

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