Mated To The Alpha King (Raven and Ethan) novel Chapter 393

Chapter 393

My hands were still trembling when I pushed open the door and stepped into our small one–room apartment.

Warm air wrapped around me instantly, thick with the comforting smell of fried onions, detergent, and Edna’s overly sweet air freshener that never quite masked the dampness in the walls.

The room looked exactly as we had left it that morning: our narrow bed pushed against the wall, a small table cluttered with books and plates, the portable stove in the corner, and clothes hanging neatly on a line above the window.

Ordinary. Safe. Mine.

And yet tonight, nothing about me felt ordinary.

Edna was sitting cross–legged on the bed, scrolling lazily through her phone. The moment she looked up and saw the elegant bag clutched tightly in my hands, her entire posture changed.

Her eyes narrowed.

‘What’s that?”

closed the door slowly behind me, suddenly aware of how loud my heartbeat sounded in the tiny space.

‘It’s… nothing.”

Reven.”

Her voice sharpened suspicious, alert.

sighed, giving up. “It’s a dress,”

She straightened. “From where?”

– From Alpha Ethan.”

Silence fell so abruptly it rang in my ears.

She blinked once.

Twice.

Then her phone slipped from her fingers onto the bed, completely forgotten.

“Why,” she asked slowly, “would Alpha Ethan give you a dress?”

I walked toward her, every step feeling heavier than the last

“Because…” I swallowed. “I’m going to a ball with him tonight.”

For a full three seconds, she didn’t react.

Then she exploded.

“WHAT?!”

Her scream bounced off the walls, loud enough to alert the entire compound.

“Keep your voice down!” I hissed, grabbing her arm.

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“A BALL?” she whisper–shouted. “You mean rich people, chandeliers, violin music, and expensive perfume balls?!““Yes!”

“With Alpha Ethan?!”

“Yes!”

“Oh my God,” she breathed, covering her mouth. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…”

Before I could stop her, she snatched the bag from my hands and tore it open.

The dress slid free.

And just like that, the room seemed too small for it.

It shimmered under the harsh bulb–deep midnight blue, elegant, flowing, impossibly beautiful. The fabric looked soft enough to melt at a touch, and tiny crystals caught the light like scattered stars.

Edna’s mouth fell open.

“Reven…” she whispered. “This is not a dress. This is… royalty.”

My stomach twisted. “I told you.”

“You’re really going with him?”

I nodded weakly.

Her expression shifted from excitement to something far more serious.

“Then listen to me carefully.”

The change in her tone made my chest tighten.

“When you get there, do not take drinks from strangers.”

“I”

“Do not eat anything you didn’t see served”

“Edna”

“And do not leave his side unless you absolutely have to.”

I blinked. “Why are you scaring me?”

“Because men like Alpha Ethan don’t live simple lives,” she said quietly. “They have enemies. Jealous women People who would hurt you just to get to him.”

A chill crawled down my spine.

“I’ll be careful,” I said softly.

“You better be.”

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to relax.

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“So…” she said, nudging me. “Tell me everything. What is he like when he’s not being terrifyingly rich and powerful?”

I couldn’t stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.

“He’s… different with the kids. Gentle. Patient.”

“And with you?”

My cheeks heated instantly. “Normal.”

‘Mmm–hmm.”

To change the subject, I nudged her back. “What about your mysterious boyfriend?”

Her entire face lit up like someone had turned on a switch.

‘Oh! You won’t believe what happened!”

I laughed. “Try me.”

She grabbed my hands, bouncing slightly. “I think he’s going to propose.”

My heart melted.

‘Edna, that’s amazing!”

‘I know! He’s been acting so strange lately hiding things, whispering on the phone, and smiling like an idiot whenever he hinks I’m not looking.”

‘You deserve it,” I said sincerely. “You really do.”

She beamed. “Thank you.”

Then her eyes sparkled mischievously.

“You know what this means, right?”

“What?”

“You’re next.”

My smile vanished. “Absolutely not.”

“With Alpha Ethan? Please.”

“Nothing is happening between us.”

She just smirked.

Eventually, exhaustion hit me like a wall.

“I need a nap.” I muttered, collapsing onto the bed.

“Sleep,” she said gently. “I’ll wake you.”

The moment my head touched the pillow, darkness swallowed me whole.

“Reven, wake up.”

Something shook my shoulder.

“Five more minutes,” I groaned.

“It’s almost time.”

My eyes flew open.

The ball.

Panic surged through me.

Getting ready felt unreal, like preparing someone else’s body, someone else’s life.

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Edna worked with intense concentration, brushing my hair until it fell in soft waves down my back. Her fingers were surprisingly gentle as she applied makeup, blending colors with practiced ease.

When she finished, she turned me toward the mirror.

My breath caught.

I didn’t recognize the woman staring back.

She looked confident. Elegant. Untouchable.

Not poor. Not small. Not invisible.

“Reven…” Edna whispered behind me. “You look like someone powerful.”

Before I could respond, a deep engine sound rolled into the compound outside.

We both froze.

“He’s here,” she whispered.

My heart began pounding so hard it hurt.

When I stepped outside, Alpha Ethan was already waiting beside the car.

The moment he saw me, he went completely still.

His eyes darkened slowly, drinking me in as if committing every detail to memory.

“You look…” he began, then stopped, shaking his head slightly. “Incredible.”

Warmth flooded my chest.

“Thank you.”

He opened the door for me like a true gentleman.

The ballroom was beyond anything I had ever imagined.

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Crystal chandeliers blazed overhead like captured constellations. Music drifted through the air soft, elegant, and haunting. People filled the space, laughing, dancing, and talking in low, confident tones.

The women looked like walking masterpieces.

The men looked like kings.

And me?

felt like an impostor wearing borrowed magic.

Ethan’s hand settled firmly at my waist.

You’re with me,” he murmured. “Relax.”

nodded, clinging to those words.

At the table, he handed me a glass of wine.

hesitated remembering Edna’s warning.

–

It’s safe,” he said quietly.

took a small sip.

Warmth spread through my chest.

Gradually, the tension eased.

When he asked me to dance, my heart nearly stopped.

‘I don’t know how.”

I’ll lead.”

His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. My hand rested on his shoulder, painfully aware of the solid strength

beneath the fabric.

We moved slowly, effortlessly.

His scent surrounded me clean, warm, and intoxicating.

For a moment, the world faded.

Then his phone rang.

His expression hardened slightly.

“I need to take this.”

Disappointment flickered through me. “Okay.”

He stepped away, disappearing toward the exit.

And suddenly…

I was alone.