Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 334

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I picked up my phone as I walked into my closet, my hands moving on instinct rather than thought.

A dark shirt, Jeans. Boots. I didn’t bother with a jacket. My wolf was restless beneath my skin, pacing, growling, and clawing at my chest like it wanted out.

Something was wrong.

That feeling had been sitting heavy in my gut for hours now–an itch I couldn’t scratch, a warning I couldn’t ignore. Raven had been too quiet. Too still in the bond. And then the message had come.

If you want your Luna alive, come alone..

No threats. No dramatics. Just an address and a number.

I stepped out of my room, shutting the door softly behind me as if noise itself might trigger whatever trap was waiting. I had just reached the stairs when a familiar voice stopped me.

“Where are you going?”

I froze.

Matthew stood at the foot of the stairs, arms crossed over his chest, sharp eyes watching me far too closely. Beta instincts. He always knew when I was about to do something reckless.

“Nowhere,” I said flatly, descending the stairs.

His brow lifted. “That’s a lie.”

I didn’t slow. “Move, Matthew.”

He stepped directly into my path instead. “You’re dressed like you’re going to war, Ethan. And you didn’t mind–link anyone. You don’t do that unless you’re hiding something.”

I clenched my jaw. My wolf snarled in agreement, urging me to shove him aside and leave. But Matthew didn’t budge.

“I know you’re going somewhere,” he continued. “And I know you don’t want to tell me. But don’t insult me by pretending nothing’s wrong.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy.

Finally, I exhaled sharply and shoved my phone into his chest. “Read it.”

His confusion shifted to alarm as he unlocked the screen. I watched his face darken with every word, his fingers tightening around the phone.

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Chapter 334

When he finished, he handed it back slowly. “This could be a trap.”

“I know.”

“What if it’s bait to get you out alone?”

“I don’t care.”

His eyes widened. “Ethan”

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“As long as Raven is in their custody,” I cut in, my voice low and lethal, “I’ll walk straight into hell if that’s what it takes to get her out.”

Matthew scrubbed a hand down his face. “And if you die?”

“Then at least I’ll die trying.”

“That’s not leadership,” he snapped. “That’s desperation.”

I turned away, heading toward my study. “Then help me think instead of blocking my way.”

He followed.

We spent over an hour pacing, arguing, drawing, and discarding plans. Every option felt wrong. Every path ended in blood. But time was bleeding away, and Raven’s presence in the bond felt… faint. Like a dying flame.

Finally, we reached a decision.

“I’ll go in first,” I said. “Alone. Just like they asked.”

Matthew shook his head. “I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to.”

“We’ll follow,” he said firmly. “Me and a unit of warriors. We stay back. If you need us”

“I signal,” I finished. “I know.”

He nodded reluctantly.

We informed only the warriors we trusted. No mind–link chatter. No alarms. Whoever was behind this wanted secrecy and I intended to give them just enough rope to hang themselves.

I drove alone.

I didn’t want them suspecting I’d brought backup. The road stretched endlessly ahead, each mile tightening the knot in my chest. The bond throbbed faintly, painfully. I tried to reach Raven through it, whispering her name, begging her to hold on.

No response.

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Chapter 334

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The address led me to an old industrial district abandoned warehouses, rusted gates, silence thick enough to suffocate. I parked and stepped out of the car, scanning the shadows.

Nothing.

Too quiet.

I dialed the number. It rang. And rang. And rang.

Just as I was about to hang up, a male voice answered.

“Wait outside.”

The line went dead.

I paced, every instinct screaming danger. Thirty minutes passed. My paranoia grew claws.

I circled the warehouse, memorizing exits, counting blind spots.

Then the doors creaked open.

Three men stepped out, armed and expressionless.

“Where is Raven?” I demanded.

One of them struck me across the face.

“Shut up,” he growled. “Your Luna is inside. You’ll wait for our boss.”

My muscles tensed, but before I could move, more men appeared. I was grabbed, restrained, and forced to my knees.

Then the air shifted.

A presence emerged from the darkness–slow, deliberate, heavy with power.

As he stepped into the light, my breath left my lungs.

No.

It couldn’t be.

The man smiled, a cruel, familiar curve of lips burned into my memory.

“The Rough King,” he said smoothly. “You look shocked.”

My heart pounded violently. “You’re dead.”

He laughed. “Disappointed?”

Five years ago, I had burned his pack to the ground after he attacked ours. I had watched the flames consume

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Chapter 334

everything. I had believed him dead.

“I didn’t know you survived the fire,” I muttered.

“I stayed hidden,” he said. “Healing. Waiting. Planning.”

Revenge.

“I thought you’d be smarter,” he continued. “But here you are. Alone. Just like I hoped.”

“If you want revenge,” I snarled, “then take it out on me. Leave Raven out of this.”

His smile vanished. “Do you remember my mate? My children? They died screaming in that war.”

My chest tightened.

“I’m being generous,” he went on. “I only took your Luna. I left your future untouched.”

“Take me instead,” I pleaded. “I was the one who wronged you.”

He laughed again. “Oh, Alpha. It won’t hurt you nearly enough if I kill you.”

He snapped his fingers.

Men moved instantly.

Gasoline was poured over the warehouse walls.

“No!” I shouted, struggling as they held me down.

A torch flared.

Flames roared to life.

The building ignited in seconds.

Raven.

She was inside.

I screamed her name as the fire consumed the structure. My phone was ripped away when I tried to call Matthew.

My wolf howled in agony, a sound so raw it felt like my soul was tearing apart.

Pain exploded in my chest sharp, stabbing, unbearable.

The mate bond burned.

The Rough King leaned close. “This,” he whispered, “is only the beginning of your punishment.”

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Chapter 334

Then they left me there.

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I collapsed to my knees, sobbing, watching the warehouse crumble. The walls fell one by one, flames.

devouring everything.

And with