Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 354

Chapter 354

Reven’s POV

After I was released, I walked through the long hallway back to my room.

Each step felt heavier than the last, as though my body no longer belonged to me. My legs trembled beneath my weight, my muscles aching, my wounds burning faintly beneath the fresh bandages the maid had wrapped earlier that day.

The corridor was quiet, too quiet, and the torches along the walls flickered softly, casting shadows that stretched and twisted like living things.

When I finally reached my door, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

The moment it shut behind me, I let out a long, broken sigh.

I was tired.

Not the kind of tired sleep could fix.

This was a deep, consuming exhaustion, one that settled into my bones, my heart, and my very soul. It felt as though I had been hollowed out, scraped clean of everything that once made me me.

I moved slowly toward the bed and sank onto it, the mattress dipping beneath my weight. My body felt light, fragile, like it might shatter if I moved too fast. My hands trembled as they rested on my lap, and I stared blankly at the wall ahead.

What was the essence of living?

The question came unbidden, slipping into my mind like poison.

What was the point of breathing when every breath hurt?

What was the purpose of waking up when all that waited for me was pain, physical and emotional?

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening.

I had promised myself I would fight.

For them.

For my children.

For my mate.

I had sworn I would survive long enough to avenge them, long enough to make Alpha Ethan pay for every tear, every scream, every life he had destroyed.

But now…

Now I wasn’t so sure.

My body was getting weaker with each passing day. The wounds healed too slowly. The pain lingered longer than it should. And emotionally… I was drained.

So drained.

The anger that had once fueled me was fading, replaced by a crushing heaviness that pressed down on my chest until it hurt to breathe. Revenge required strength. Purpose. Fire.

I was running out of all three.

Tears blurred my vision.

Before I realized what was happening, they spilled over, sliding down my cheeks in hot, silent streams. I hadn’t cried since I came here. I hadn’t allowed myself that weakness. Crying meant accepting the pain, and I couldn’t afford to accept it.

But now….

Now the dam broke.

A sob tore from my chest as I collapsed backward onto the bed, curling into myself as if that might somehow make the ache smaller. My shoulders shook violently as the tears flowed freely, soaking into the pillow beneath my face.

“I can’t do this anymore,” I whispered brokenly. “I’m tired… I’m so tired.”

The room swallowed my words, offering no comfort in return.

I lay there, crying like that silent, helpless, defeated for a long time.

Then came a knock on the door.

Sharp.

Sudden.

I flinched, my heart racing.

I ignored it.

I didn’t want to see anyone. I didn’t want pity, questions, or false concern. I just wanted to be left alone with my grief.

The knock came again.

Louder.

More insistent.

“Go away,” I snapped hoarsely, my voice cracking. “I don’t want to see anybody!”

The words came out harsher than I intended, laced with anger and pain. For a moment, it worked.

The knocking stopped.

Relief washed over me as I turned my face into the pillow, squeezing my eyes shut as another wave of tears threatened to break free.

Then The door creaked open.

I lifted my head sharply, anger flaring through my exhaustion. “I said get out!” I shouted. “I don’t want anyone in here!”

But the words died in my throat.

Edna stood in the doorway.

Her expression was soft, worried, but firm–the kind of look that told me she wasn’t leaving, no matter how much I yelled.

“Please.” I said weakly, my voice trembling now. Just… leave me alone”

She didn’t respond

Instead, she closed the door quietly behind her and walked toward me.

“Get out!” I cried my voice rising with desperation. “I don’t want anyone-

Edna sat down on the edge of the bed.

She didn’t flinch at my anger. Didn’t argue. Didn’t scold me.

She simply reached out.

Before I could react, her arm wrapped gently around my shoulders, pulling me closer. My head fell against her chest, and something inside me cracked completely

“Let it all out,” she whispered softly, her hand stroking my hair. Tm here.”

That was all it took.

I cried for my mate.

She tilted my chin up gently, forcing me to look at her. “Good,” she said firmly. “Because you are not giving up.”

I swallowed. “I almost did.”

At least… not yet.

Later, when hunger tugged faintly at me again, I picked up the empty plate and decided to return it to the kitchen myself. The halls were quiet–it was well past midnight, and most of the stronghold slept./

As I walked, my footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor.

That was when I passed by the Rough King’s study.

Voices drifted through the thick door.

Male voices.

I froze.

At this hour?

Curiosity and instinct made me slow my steps. I leaned closer, pressing my car gently against the door.

“…he’s looking for her,” one voice said quietly. “I’m sure of it. Someone told him she’s alive.”

My heart skipped.

Alive?

“What are they talking about?” I whispered to myself.

The second voice answered–and my blood ran cold.

It was the Rough King.

“He won’t find her,” he said calmly. “I sent my men to deliver a package to him. After receiving it, I doubt he’ll ever think of looking for her again.”

Confusion twisted inside me.

Who were they talking about?

And who was he?

I straightened slightly, my pulse racing. I should leave. I shouldn’t be listening.

But my feet wouldn’t move.

Then I heard my name.

“Reven won’t look for him either,” the Rough King continued. “I told her I killed him and the children. She believed me.”

The world tilted.

My fingers went numb.

“… Alpha Ethan,” he isn’t dead. “Is alive.”

The plate slipped from my hands.

It shattered against the floor with a loud crash.

The sound echoed through the corridor.

Inside the study, voices stopped instantly.

The door flew open.