Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Alpha Ethan's POV I ran a hand through my hair , sighing in frustration as I stared at my reflection in the mirror . What was wrong with me ? Since the moment Raven had walked into the room , a pull I didn't understand had taken hold . A need that unsettled me . She wasn't just another maid , there was something different about her . Something ... magnetic . Iyanked open the closet door , grabbing a fresh black shirt and a pair of matching pants . As I buttoned up , the door to my room flew open with a bang , 1 didn't need to turn to know who it was . The tension radiating from her was as loud as her entrance . " Can you tell me what happened here before now ? " Olivia's voice sliced through the air , sharp and demanding I turned halfway , catching her fierce gaze . Her arms were crossed , brows furrowed , mouth pressed into a line . She wasn't happy . Not in the slightest . My face was momentarily frozen with surprise , but I quickly recovered and turned back to buttoning my shirt . " What do you mean ? " I asked coolly , deliberately avoiding her eyes . " I just saw Raven running off like a scared cat , " she said , walking further into the room , her voice rising . " She was clearly coming from here . Your scent is all over her . " My heart skipped a beat . Raven . My mind betrayed me with the memory of her just minutes ago - her trembling lips as she looked up at me , her hands clutching her dress as if her life depended on it , and the picture of her perfect curves . And then , the way she fled like the room itself had caught fire . " Are you even listening to me ? " Olivia snapped , bringing me back to the present . I looked up , locking eyes with her finally . " It's nothing , " I said quickly , maybe too quickly . " She came to tell me dinner was ready . That's all . So enough with the questioning . Let's go eat ." Olivia didn't look convinced , but she didn't press it . She gave me one last warning glare , then turned on her heel and exited the room . My fists clenched at my sides . I hated lying to her - Olivia had always been the mate the Moon Goddess had chosen for me - but I couldn't understand the pull I was feeling toward Raven . Why did Raven make my wolf restless ? The dining hallwas filled with the soft clatter of cutlery and low murmurs of the pack members enjoying their evening meal . The chandeliers cast a warm golden hue over the long mahogany table, and the scent of roasted meats and baked breads drifted through the air . I entered beside Olivia , keeping my expression blank despite the chaos in my mind . I could sense her watching me closely , but I didn't look her way . Instead , my eyes scanned the room involuntarily - searching . And then I saw her . Raven . her cheeks flushing with She stood among a group of maids near the far end of the hall , a white apron tied around her waist , her dark hair pulled into a neat braid . Her hands were steady as she carried a tray , but her eyes ... , those eyes gave her away . They flicked to me for a second , then darted color . I swallowed hard . Why did she affect me like this ? As Olivia and I took our seats at the head of the table , the servants moved efficiently , filling goblets with wine , placing bowls and platters before us . Raven approached slowly , her tray balanced on one hand . Despite the other maids nearby , she came directly to me and Olivia . I almost forgot she was Olivia's personal majd . But she didn't meet my gaze . Not once . Chapter 16 Instead , she bent slightly and placed the Luna's plate before her with graceful precision . " Luna, " she said softly , her voice barely above a whisper . Olivia gave a tight nod , clearly watching Raven closely . Then Raven turned toward me , and for a second - just a second - our eyes locked . Her fingers trembled . I saw it . The way she hesitated with the targne ) plate . My wolf pushed against my skin , snarling protectively , possessively . But before she could set my plate down , Olivia's voice rang out , sharp and unmistakably firm .. " That's enough , Raven . One of the other maids will serve the Alpha . " Raven froze . I blinked , stunned . The girl stiffened like a statue , her shoulders rising and falling once before she quickly stepped back . Her head remained bowed as she mumbled . " Yes . Luna . " My jaw clenched , but I said nothing . Another maid rushed forward and served me instead , while Raven retreated with her tray , moving toward the far end of the table like she couldn't get away fast enough . My eyes followed her , refusing to let her disappear from my sight . " What was that ? " I asked her almost immediately , my tone sharper than I intended . " I don't want her to serve you , and that's final . " I couldn't look away . Even as conversations resumed around me , even as Olivia tried to engage me in some light banter about tomorrow's meeting with the Southern Border Alphas , I barely registered a word . My focus remained on Raven . The way she moved with such grace , yet such fear . The curve of her jaw , the soft lines of her neck , the way her fingers gripped the edge of a tray like it was the only thing keeping her grounded . I remembered her scent - vanilla and pine - faint on my fingers from earlier . 1 couldn't take it anymore . "I need some air , " I said suddenly , rising from the table . Olivia looked up , surprised . " You've barely touched your food- "I said I need air . " I didn't wait for a reply . I strode out of the hall and down the side corridor , taking deep breaths . The walls were closing in . My thoughts were spiraling . I leaned against the cold stone , running a hand over my face . This was insane . She was a maid . But she wasn't just a maid . There was something about her . Something that called to me - not just my wolf , but me . And the way she looked at me sometimes - like she was trying to hide behind layers of obedience and silence , but beneath it all , there was pain ... and fire . I had to know what it was . Chapter 16 And one thing was clear - I needed to see the Seer . IAD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!