Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 13

13. Stay Back

to recover.

When she was finally stable enough to move, I brought her to the spare bedroom in my quarters at the Pawmoon packhouse–a cozy space with soft blankets and big windows. I wasn’t leaving her side. She needed someone she could trust. She slept for a week straight, only waking to whimper or nibble at some food before drifting off again. Her face was pale, her breathing shaky, and every little sound made her flinch.

The doctor checked her daily, his face always serious. “Her brain’s protecting itself,” he told me one morning, adjusting her IV. “The trauma she went through–years of abuse, the attack–it’s too much. Her body’s shutting down to cope. She’ll wake up when she’s ready, but it’ll take time.”

I nodded, my jaw tight. I’d canceled all my meetings and training sessions, spending every moment with her. The nurses, Kara included, took shifts, making sure she was never alone. I sat by her bed, watching her sleep, Kieran pacing in my mind growling, She’s hurting. We should’ve killed Jasper.

I shoved him down, focusing on Amelia. She was what mattered.

On Saturday, her voice broke the silence. “Ryder?” It was soft, barely a whisper, but it hit me like a shockwave. I leaned forward, my heart racing. Her eyes were open, wide and scared, silver pupils glinting in the dim light.

“I’m here,” I said, keeping my voice gentle. “You’re safe, Amelia.”

She flinched, her eyes darting around like she didn’t believe me. Then she tried to sit up, but her arms gave out, and she fell back onto the bed with a small cry. I reached to help, but she swung her arm, her fist smacking my chest. “No!” she gasped, scooting away, her body trembling. “Don’t!”

I froze, my hands up. “Hey, it’s okay,” I said softly. “It’s just me, Ryder. You’re safe, I promise.”

Her eyes were wild, like she was seeing someone else. Kieran stirred in my mind, his voice calm for once. She’s scared, Ryder. It’s not you. It’s the trauma talking. He pushed through, his warmth softening my tone. “Amelia, it’s us. We won’t hurt you,” I said, letting Kieran’s soothing presence guide my words.

But Amelia shook her head, crawling to the far corner of the bed, her knees pulled to her chest. “Stay back,” she whispered, her voice shaking. Her silver eyes locked on me, full of fear, like I was the monster.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify