Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 384

Chapter 384

Reven’s POV

The night air felt different the moment I stepped out of the taxi.

Cooler. Sharper. Almost electric.

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I paid the driver with trembling fingers, barely hearing his “Thank you, madam,” as he drove off, leaving me standing alone at the edge of a world that felt far too grand for someone like me,

Before me stood the venue, a massive glass building drenched in golden light, its entrance framed by tall pillars wrapped in white fabric and fairy lights.

Music pulsed faintly from inside, a deep rhythmic beat that seemed to echo through the pavement and straight into my chest.

People moved everywhere.

Elegant women in shimmering gowns. Men in tailored suits. Laughter, camera flashes, the soft clink of glasses everything blended into a dazzling blur that made me feel small, improper, exposed.

I swallowed hard and tightened my grip on my purse.

You can do this, Reven.

But my feet refused to move.

Something inside me was screaming–not words exactly, just a deep, instinctive warning that I couldn’t explain. A heaviness settled in my stomach, twisting tighter with every passing second.

Go back, a voice in my head whispered.

No, another part of me argued. You came all this way.

I forced one foot forward.

Then another.

Each step toward the entrance felt heavier than the last, like I was walking through invisible resistance.

A man in a black suit stood at the door, checking invitations. When his eyes landed on me, his expression softened slightly- polite, professional, but curious.

‘Invitation, please.”

My fingers fumbled inside my purse until I found the envelope. I handed him the card, trying not to notice how my hand shook.

He examined it briefly, then stepped aside.

“Welcome.”

The doors opened.

Warm light spilled over me like liquid gold as I crossed the threshold.

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Chapter 884

And just like that, I was inside

The interior was breathtaking

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, scattering light in a thousand directions. The marble floor gleamed like a mirror beneath my heels. Long tables draped in white cloth displayed rows of sparkling glasses, trays of delicate food, and towering floral arrangements that smelled faintly sweet.

Music floated through the air–five, not recorded. Somewhere to the left, a small band played a smooth, elegant nine.

I had never been anywhere like this.

Not that I could remember, anyway.

For a moment, I just stood there, frozen, overwhelmed by the sheer scale of everything,

People brushed past me, chatting and laughing, their voices blending into a soft hum. No one paid me any particular attention, which should have been comforting

Instead, it made me feel invisible.

A stranger in a room full of people who belonged

Maybe I should just stay for a little while, I thought. Then leave quietly,

Yes. That sounded safe.

I drifted toward the edge of the room, staying close to the walls, observing rather than participating A waiter passed by with

a tray of drinks, and I hesitated before taking one. The glass felt cold in my hand, grounding me slightly

Sip. Breathe. Look normal

Across the hall, I spotted a few familiar faces–employees from the mall. They were gathered in small clusters, laughing clearly more comfortable than I felt.

I considered going over to them.

But then I remembered Sophia.

My chest tightened.

What if she were here?

What if she caused a scene?

I lowered my gaze, pretending to study my drink.

“Mira?”

My head snapped up.

The manager stood before me, smiling warmly.

“You came! I’m so glad.”

Relief washed over me at the sight of a familiar face.

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Chapter 384

“Yes, ma. Thank you for inviting me

“You look lovely,” she said sincerely. “How are you settling in so far?”

“Good,” I said automatically, though my voice sounded distant even to my own ears

Her eyes studied me for a moment, as if sensing something beneath the surface.

*Relax,” she said gently. “It’s just a celebration. Enjoy yourself”

I nodded, forcing a small smile.

After a few more polite exchanges, she excused herself to greet other guests, leaving me alone again.

Minutes passed.

Or maybe longer.

Time felt strange here, stretched and distorted, like I was moving through a dream.

I wandered slowly, pretending to examine decorations, listening to snippets of conversation that meant nothing to me.

Before I could even turn, I was yanked backward with surprising force, my heels scraping slightly against the smooth floor.

“Come with me.”

The voice was sharp. Furious. Familiar.

Sophia.

My stomach dropped.

She didn’t give me a chance to react. She dragged me through the crowd, weaving between guests, past tables and waiters, out through a side exit into a quieter corridor. The music faded behind us, replaced by the echo of our footsteps and the pounding of my heart.

“Sophia, stop! You’re hurting me!” I cried, trying to pull free.

She finally released my arm with a shove that made me stumble back against the wall.

“What are you doing here?” she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger.

I rubbed my arm, wincing. “I… I was invited.”

Her lips curled into a sneer. “Invited?”

“Yes.”

“How?” she demanded, stepping closer. “Why would the manager invite you here?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “She gave me an invitation.”

Sophia let out a harsh, humorless laugh.

“This is a high–class event. Important people are here. And you think you belong?”

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Chapter 384

Her eyes swept over me slowly, deliberately from my borrowed dress to my shoes to my purse.

“Look at you,” she said with disgust. “You’re a disgrace.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

I swallowed, fighting the sting behind my eyes.

“Even that dress,” she continued, her voice dripping with venom. “Where did you get it? The garbage?”

Something inside me snapped.

“Just stop it,” I said quietly.

Her eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”

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“Must you make fun of somebody just because you think you’re better than them?” I asked, my voice trembling but steady.

Her face darkened instantly.

“How dare you talk back to me?”

“I didn’t do anything to you,” I said, frustration breaking through my fear. “Why do you hate me so much?”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough,” she said coldly.

She raised her hand suddenly.

Instinct took over.

I caught her wrist mid–air before it could reach

my

face.

The shock on her face was almost comical.

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