Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 385

Chapter 385

Alpha Ethan’s POV

“Matthew, I don’t have time for a fucking mall anniversary.”

I dropped the invitation card on the table like it was something contaminated. My voice was flat, but the tension in my shoulders betrayed me.

Matthew didn’t even blink.

“You cannot miss this one,” he said quietly, firmly the tone he used when he had already decided for me.

–

I leaned back in my chair, jaw tightening. “And why exactly?”

“Because,” he replied, stepping closer, “you’re a shareholder in the mall. Your presence is needed.”

I let out a slow breath through my nose.

Of course.

Politics. Business. Reputation.

Things that had once mattered.

Things that mean nothing now,

“I’m not interested in all this,” I said coldly. “You know I don’t like gatherings.”

Matthew folded his arms. “You may not like them, but you know what this is.”

I did.

An anniversary celebration meant attention. Questions. Smiles that weren’t real. Pity disguised as politeness.

Where is your Luna?

How are the children coping?

Have you found her yet?

My chest tightened.

I don’t care,” I muttered.

“You should.”

‘I don’t.”

‘You will have to attend eventually.”

Something inside me snapped.

‘Fuck you.”

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1134 pm P P DD

Chapter 383

The words came out sharp and vicious as I grabbed the card and threw it straight at him. It hit his shoulder and did as the floor

Silence filled the study.

Matthew didn’t react. He just looked at me with that calm, infuriating patience

“I’m trying to help you,” he said.

“I didn’t ask for help.”

“Then consider it advice.

I stood abruptly, palms slamming against the desk.

“Can you talk along with me?” he asked after a moment. “At least bring security-

“No.”

“You don’t need to go alone.”

“I said no.” My voice dropped to a dangerous quiet. “You don’t need to come. Stay back at the pack and watch things in case anything goes wrong.”

Matthew studied me for a long second, then nodded once.

“Okay.”

He turned and walked out of the study without another word.

The door clicked shut.

And the silence that followed felt heavier than before.

“Luna…” I muttered under my breath, hitting my fist lightly against the desk. The word tasted bitter in my mouth.

Going to public gatherings had been difficult since Raven left.

Not because I didn’t want to go.

But because I didn’t know how to face people anymore.

Too many questions.

Too many looks.

Too many reminders.

I had rejected invitation after invitation from neighboring packs. Banquets. Ceremonies Meetings. Celebrations.

Every single one.

Not because I didn’t want to represent my pack…..

But because I didn’t know how to answer when they asked about my mate.

2/8

Chapter 5

Aww my family.

About why my Luna had varied.

My throat tightened painfully,

Why did she leaver

What went wrong

The Raven i knew couldn’t spend a souple day without the chillers the te

She used to cling to us like we were ber extrue work

So why would she choose to disappro

Why would she abandon o

Even when 1 found her…

Even when I stood right in front of her…

She looked at me like I was a stranger.

Like 1 meant nothing,

Like the years we shared had never existed.

My chest ached

“What is wrong with you, Raven?” I whispered boarsely. Why won’t you come home?”

No answer came,

Only silence.

1 pushed away from the desk and left the study before the memories could sufitare me cumplanddy

My bedroom felt worse.

Everything in the pack house reminded me of her

Her vent had faded from most places.. but not from here.

Never from here.

I opened the closet and stared blankly at rows of clothes without really seeing them. My hands mceed on their own grabbing a black shirt and matching trousers and sowing them on the bed

I didn’t care what I wore.

Nothing mattered anyway.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, stepping under the hot water wit

Steam filled the space quickly

3/8

2

11:34 pm P P DD

Chapter 385

I braced both hands against the tiled wall and closed my eyes.

And she was there.

Her laughter echoed in the room.

Her voice singing softly while she brushed her hair.

The way she used to argue with me over the smallest, most ridiculous things things that didn’t matter, be somehow mattered to her.

God, I missed that.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Whatever I did… I’m sorry?

Water streamed down my face, mixing with tears I refused to acknowledge.

“Please just come back to me,” I choked out. “No matter what I did to you. I’ll change. I’ll be the man you used to love. just… come home.”

The shower washed the words away.

But not the pain.

When I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Lucian stood in the middle of my room.

“Lucian?” I frowned. “What are you doing here?”

He looked up at me with those big, familiar eyes.

“I missed you,” he said simply. “So I came to check on you.”

Something in my chest softened instantly.

“You’ve grown up, buddy,” I said, walking over and ruffling his hair. “Coming to check on your dad now?”

He nodded proudly. “Yes. You know you’re my hero.”

My throat tightened.

I pulled him into a brief hug, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“You and your sisters are the best things that ever happened to me.”

His gaze drifted to the clothes on the bed.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to attend an anniversary.”

His eyes widened. “An anniversary? Dad, can I come with you? Please?”

I hesitated immediately.

4/8

11:34 pm PPDD

Chapter 385

“No. You’re too small to go to a crowded place like that.”

“I’m five–plus,” he protested. “I’m a big man now.”

I couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at my lips.

“Please,” he continued, clasping his hands together. “I won’t cause any trouble. I’ll just sit quietly. I want to learn how things are done. One day I’ll be an Alpha too.”

The way he said it, so serious, so determined, made something ache deep inside me.

He sounded older than he should.

Too mature.

Too aware of responsibilities a child shouldn’t even understand yet.

I sighed.

“Fine. You can come.”

His face lit up like the sun.

“Really?!”

“Yes. But go dress up and don’t tell your sisters. They’ll insist on coming too.”

“Okay! I love you, Daddy! You’re the best!”

He ran out before I could change my mind.

I sighed again.

I didn’t want to bring him.

But now I had no choice.

Later, dressed in a black shirt, trousers, boots, ring, and necklace, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Formal.

Controlled.

Emotionless.

Perfect.

I grabbed a jacket just in case Lucy got cold and left the room.

He was already waiting by the car.

The moment he saw me, his eyes sparkled.

“Wow, Daddy! You look so handsome!”

I chuckled softly. “And you look very handsome too.”

5/8

11:34 pm PPDD

Chapter 389

“Of course,” he said proudly. “I know where I got my handsomeness from”

I shook my head, smiling despite myself.

Soon we were in the car, heading toward the mall.

12 34 vouchers

Lucian talked the entire way about school, friends, teachers, things he wanted to do, and places he wanted to go.

I listened.

Really listened.

Because moments like this were rare now.

“I wish Mom was here,” he said suddenly.

My chest tightened painfully.

I rubbed his head gently. “I know you miss her. I miss her too. But one day… she’ll come back to us.”

“I hope so,” he whispered.

The car stopped.

“We’re here, Alpha,” the driver said.

I stepped out, taking Lucy’s hand.

The entrance was dazzling with lights, decorations, music, and laughter spilling into the night air.

Lucian’s eyes widened in wonder.

Inside, the hall was packed.

I spotted a quiet corner and led him there.