Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Don’t Scream

Amelia’s POV

I never thought I’d run away from my own Pack, but here I was–alone on a train, heading somewhere I hoped they’d never find me.

The train jolted forward, and the world outside started to blur. Trees, roads, and buildings flashed past the windows, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to get as far away from that place as possible–and never go back.

I sat alone in a corner compartment, curled into the faded red velvet of the seat, trying not to think about everything that had happened.

I used to believe that if I tried hard enough, my father might see me as more than just a useless Omega. But that hope shattered the moment I overheard him planning to sell me off like I was nothing.

I found out by accident. A week ago, I’d been heading down to the kitchen for water in the middle of the night and heard them talking.

“She’s useless to us here,” Grace said, her voice low and mean. “But the Pawmoon Pack will pay good money for her. Alpha Ryder needs a breeder, and Amelia’s got the looks for it.”

“It’s a good deal,” Dad said, like he was selling cattle, not his own daughter. “She’s nothing but trouble anyway.”

I stood frozen outside the kitchen doorway, the ceramic cup slipping through my fingers and shattering at my feet. The sharp sound brought an abrupt silence, quickly replaced by heavy footsteps. My heart hammered as my father appeared, his expression dark with fury.

“Please,” I begged, falling to my knees as terror choked my words. “Please don’t do this. I’ll be good, I swear-”

He silenced me with his fist. Pain exploded across my cheek, my lip splitting open. The blows kept coming, mercilessly, until I couldn’t breathe through the coppery warmth pouring from my mouth, my cheek, my ribs.

“You should be grateful,” my father spat as he dragged me across the floor by my hair. “Ryder’s pack will feed you. House you. Use you like you’re meant to be used.”

From somewhere behind him, Grace spoke calmly, coldly appraising me like livestock. “And let’s not forget–her looks are an asset. Alpha Ryder values pretty faces.”

My father’s grip tightened painfully, and he glanced up sharply at Jasper, who stood quietly in the shadows, watching with detached curiosity. “You’ll take her to the Pawmoon Pack in a few days. Make sure Ryder gets exactly what he paid for.”

It was in moments like these that I missed my mother most intensely.

She died when I was two. I don’t remember her face, just fragments from stories Dad used to tell before he stopped caring. Sometimes I’d wonder how her voice sounded, or what scent lingered in her hair, but all I found was a vast, aching emptiness.

Then Dad married Grace–this sharp, cold woman who brought along her son, Jasper. From that day forward, I became a ghost in my own house. Invisible. Forgotten.

Jasper slid effortlessly into my place, soaking up every smile, every word of praise, every warm glance I’d longed for and lost. For a while, I convinced myself Dad was just grieving, still finding his way back from losing Mom.

But eventually, the truth became painfully clear:

He just didn’t want me anymore. And now he’d made that clear by choosing to sell me for money.

That night, I refused to let myself drift into the false comfort of sleep. I couldn’t pretend anymore–couldn’t fool myself into believing things would ever get better.

I waited until the house fell silent, every creak of the floorboards like nails scraping against my nerves.

When I was sure everyone slept, I retrieved the butter knife I’d hidden beneath my mattress and quietly pried the window open. My hands trembled as I climbed out, pulse hammering in my ears.

I didn’t have a plan–just a small bag filled with clothes and the meager savings I’d scraped together from odd jobs.

My heart was racing so fast it felt ready to burst as I sprinted through the darkness toward the train station, bought the cheapest ticket available, and boarded the first train out of Silverlight.

Now, the train hummed beneath me, carrying me someplace–anyplace–that wasn’t Silverlight territory.

Alpha Ryder

Just hearing his name sent chills down my spine.

།

I must’ve dozed off, because the next thing I knew, the compartment door slammed open. I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat.

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