Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 338

Reven’s POV

I woke up early the next morning, long before the sun rose.

Sleep had not truly come to me. It never did anymore. It only hovered thin, restless, filled with fragments of memories that hurt too much to hold and too precious to let go.

I sat up slowly on the narrow bed, my body stiff and aching, my heart heavy in my chest.

Today was the day I would officially begin serving the Rough King as his personal maid.

I was prepared.

Or at least, I told myself I was.

I slipped out of bed and went to the small bathing room attached to my quarters. The water was cold, biting against my skin, but I welcomed the sting.

Pain grounded me. It reminded me that I was still alive, that despite everything that had been taken from me, my still beating.

I washed my face carefully, staring at my reflection in the cracked mirror.

The woman staring back at me looked nothing like the Raven I used to know.

heart was

Her eyes were dull, shadowed by grief and exhaustion. Her lips were pale, pressed into a tight line as if holding back words that would never be spoken aloud. But beneath the brokenness, something still burned.

Defiance.

I finished bathing, dressed in the plain maid’s uniform, and turned back toward my bed. My fingers trembled slightly as they reached for the necklace resting on the wooden table beside it.

I had not taken it off since the night before my kidnapping.

Slowly, reverently, I lifted it.

The chain was thin, silver, and worn from years of use. At its center hung a small locket.

My hands shook as I opened it.

Inside was the picture.

Us.

Me. Alpha Ethan. And our children.

A sharp pain pierced my chest as my breath hitched. My vision blurred instantly, tears gathering before I could stop them.

I had placed the picture inside the locket the night before everything fell apart the night Alpha Ethan and I had argued. The night harsh words were exchanged, fueled by exhaustion and fear.

The night I had meant to show him the necklace, to tell him I wanted us to start over, to remind him of what we had built together.

But fate never gave

me the chance.

Chapter 338

SF Vouchers

My fingers brushed over the tiny image. I remembered that night so clearly the way the children had laughed as they ran through the halls, calling out to me.

Mummy! Mummy, watch me!

I swallowed hard.

“Wherever you are,” I whispered, my voice breaking, “I love you.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks, warm and silent.

“I will find justice for you,” I continued softly. “I will take revenge for what was done to us. And when my time comes… I will join you. In this life or the next.”

A sob escaped me as memories flooded in: small hands gripping mine, laughter echoing through open fields, the warmth of their bodies when they curled up beside me at night.

Now they were gone.

All that remained was me.

And these memories.

I closed the locket carefully and pressed it against my chest before fastening it around my neck. It was the only thing I had left. The only proof that my life before this nightmare had been real.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders and stepped out of my room.

The kitchen was already alive with activity when I arrived. Pots clanged, fires crackled, and the other maids moved quickly, their heads bowed, fear etched into every movement.

The moment I entered, their gazes lifted.

Every single one of them stared at me.

Some looked at me with curiosity. Others with pity. A few with barely hidden fear as if my presence alone was a warning of what awaited them should they ever displease the Rough King.

I ignored them.

I had no strength left to care.

I moved toward the counter and examined what was being prepared for the Rough King’s breakfast. Everything had to be perfect. One mistake could mean punishment. Or worse.

I worked in silence, my hands moving automatically. Time blurred as I chopped, stirred, cleaned, and arranged. My body moved, but my mind was far away lost in memories, lost in grief.

By the time the meal was ready and arranged neatly on the tray, my arms trembled with exhaustion.

An hour of endless labor later, I was done.

I stared down at the tray, forcing myself to straighten it one last time. I didn’t have the strength for whatever punishment awaited me today. Still, I tried to be perfect.

I carried the tray carefully to the Rough King’s chamber.

My heart pounded as I raised my hand and knocked.

Chapter 338

“Come in,” his voice commanded.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside.

255 VOUCÍAIS

He was sitting on the bed, several files spread across his lap, his attention fixed on them as if I did not exist. His presence alone made my skin crawl.

“My king,” I greeted stifly. “I have brought your breakfast.”

Without looking up, he said coldly, “Kneel.”

I froze.

“What?” slipped from my lips before I could stop myself.

His eyes remained on the file. “Didn’t you hear me? Kneel.”

I clenched my jaw. “Why would I kneel?”

That earned his attention.

Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at me, his gaze sharp and unfeeling. “You are two seconds late.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “What? Who counts two seconds?”

“I do,” he replied calmly. “Now stop asking useless questions and kneel. Or do you want the punishment the hard way?”

My nails dug into my palms.

“No,” I said quietly.

I lowered myself to the floor, placing the breakfast tray on my head as instructed. The weight was immediate, pressing down on my neck and spine.

He returned to his work, acting as though I were nothing more than furniture.

Minutes passed.

Then more.

My legs burned. My back screamed in protest. Sweat gathered at my temples, slipping down my face.

An hour went by.

“My king,” I said shakily. “I am tired. I can’t kneel anymore.”

“Do not get up until I say so,” he replied without even glancing at me.

Panic crept in.

If I stay here any longer, I might faint, I thought desperately. But if I stand up… he will punish me.

Something inside me snapped.

The rebel, the woman I used to be, rose through the fear.

I stood.

The tray slipped from my head and landed softly on the bed.

18:42 Mon, Jan 19 G.

Chapter 338

Silence filled the room.

Slowly, he looked up at me, shock flashing across his cruel features.

“Who told you to get up?” he demanded.

I met his gaze without flinching.

20

* 55 voucher

“Just give me my punishment,” I said flatly. “So I can get the hell out of your room. Your presence irritates me.”

His eyes darkened.

“How dare you disrespect me?” he growled.

“I am ready for anything,” I replied. “I have lost everything already. What is there left to lose? Do your worst. I am not afraid of you, you monster.”

For a moment, I thought he would strike me.

Instead, he stood abruptly.

“Get out,” he shouted.

I stared at him, stunned.

“Get out!” he yelled again, louder this time.

I flinched instinctively and turned, leaving the room before my legs could give out.

Back in my room, confusion gnawed at me.

Why hadn’t he punished me?

Or had he decided to do something far worse?

I collapsed onto my bed, clutching the necklace as tears slipped free once more.

That was when I heard the knock.

I wiped my face quickly and opened the door.

The head maid stood there, flanked by two large, muscular men. Wolves.

Their eyes were dark. Hungry.

Pity filled the head maid’s gaze as she looked

at

1. me.

“What did you do this time, child?” she asked softly.

I shook my head. “I did nothing.”

She sighed. “The Rough King ordered me to bring these men to your room and lock them inside. He said they can do whatever they want with you.”

My blood ran cold.

“No,” I whispered. “He can’t.”

“I’m afraid,” she said quietly, “he already has”

18:42 Mon, Jan 19

Chapter 338

The men stepped inside.

The door slammed shut.

The lock clicked.

I was alone.

With

two wolves.

G&

My heart pounded violently as reality settled in.

This

was

my

fate.

Comment