Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 17

ter 17: Pretend for Now

Chapter 17: Pretend for Now

Amelia’s POV

The next morning, there was a knock on my door before I’d even finished brushing my hair.

“Come in,” I called.

Beta Lucas stepped inside, holding a sleek black box. “Alpha said to give you these. And to tell you to get ready—he’s taking you to the Pack dinner tonight.”

I opened the box and my mouth fell open. Nestled inside was the most expensive–looking pair of high heels/I’d ever seen- shiny, elegant, and completely intimidating.

“They’re… beautiful,” I said, running my fingers over them.

Lucas gave me a faint smile. “They’ll go well with your new outfit. The maids will be waiting downstairs if you need help.” Then he left as quickly as he came.

By the time i was dressed, my palms were sweating. I stepped out of my room and slowly made my way down the stairs, trying not to think about how I looked.

When 1 reached the landing, I heard a few gasps. Ryder was standing in the living room with two maids. All three of them were staring at me like I’d just stepped out of a magazine.

“You look…” Ryder’s voice trailed off, his eyes sweeping over me from head to toe. “… beautiful.”

One of the maids nodded eagerly. “Absolutely stunning, Luna.”

My cheeks burned. “Thanks,” I mumbled, trying not to trip over my own feet as I took another step–only to do exactly that. My ankle wobbled and I pitched forward, but before I could even panic, strong arms caught me.

“Easy,” Ryder murmured, steadying me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly, straightening up. “I’m just… not used to high heels.”

He looked down at my shoes, then back at me. “I

wanted you to wear them to meet the elders, but… forget it. Wear something comfortable.”

I hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” His gaze softened, then turned serious. “There’s something else you need to do before the dinner.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You need to drink my blood.”

My eyes widened. “Wait–what?”

He stepped closer, his expression calm like this was the most normal thing in the world. “It’ll let me sense your presence. That way, you won’t be afraid. If anything happens, I’ll know where you are and I can get to you immediately.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond, but before I could overthink it, he tilted his head slightly and bit his own wrist. The scent of his blood was strange–warm and almost sweet.

“Go on,” he urged gently.

I froze for a second. Drinking someone’s blood wasn’t exactly normal for me. But the way he looked at me made it hard to refuse.

I leaned forward and took a small sip. The taste was unlike anything I’d ever had–rich and warm, like heat spreading through my whole body. My chest tightened, my pulse jumping so fast it made my head feel light.

Ryder watched me closely. “How do you feel?”

“My heart’s… racing,” I admitted, pressing a hand to my chest. “And I feel kind of… different.”

“That’s normal,” he said with a faint smile. “My blood has that effect. But now I can sense your location anywhere. If you

need me, I’ll be there.”

I looked down, unsure what to say. “I… don’t know how to thank you.”

But deep down, my thoughts were darker. I couldn’t compare to him. Yes, I had a wolf now, but I hadn’t even shifted yet. I didn’t know if she was strong or weak. And me? I’d lived lower than the lowest–ranking Omega maid in Silverlight Pack.

How could I be shameless enough to walk beside pack like Pawmoon? Besides, the elders temporarily running Silverlight must have told the others everything–how I’d been nothing but a lowly Omega maid.

“It’s probably a bad idea,” I said quietly. “I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

1/3

Chapter 17: Pretend for Now

Ryder didn’t even flinch. “Amelia, I made my choice. It’s okay if you don’t want to accept my proposal to be Luna right now. But…” His eyes locked on mine, steady and intense. “Can you pretend to be my Luna for now?”

I opened my mouth to refuse, but the longer I looked into his eyes, the more I felt like I was sinking–like I was caught in something I couldn’t pull away from.

And I couldn’t say no.

A small smile curved Ryder’s lips, like he already knew my answer. “Good. Then let’s get you ready.”

Before we left, I caught sight of my reflection in the hallway mirror and hesitated. “Do you think my hair looks/okay? I mean … for meeting the elders?”

He shook his head lightly. “You don’t need to change anything. Just be yourself.”

Then, without warning, he pulled a small black box from his pocket and opened it. Inside was a delicate, shimmering necklace that looked like it cost more than everything I’d ever owned in my life.

“Ryder…” I started, but he was already stepping behind me, fastening it gently around my neck.

“It suits you,” he said simply.

I reached up to touch the pendant. “You shouldn’t spend so much on me. I wouldn’t even know how to repay you.” /

He met my gaze in the mirror. “Baby, I’m not asking you to repay me. I want to spend it on you.”

My throat tightened.

“And,” he added, “I’ve already arranged for your room to be upgraded. Once the work is done, you can check in.”

I didn’t even know what to say to that.

A little while later, Ryder took my hand and led me into the large meeting hall. A long table stretched across the room, and sitting around it were the elders of the Pawmoon Pack. Kara, Beta Lucas, and a few other pack members stood off to the side.

Ryder stopped in front of everyone and spoke clearly. “This is Amelia. My Mate, and your future Luna.”

I felt every pair of eyes turn on me.

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