Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Amelia’s POV

My wolf’s voice was bold–a little smug.

What, you don’t like that I interrupted your moment with our mate?

Her words startled me so much I accidentally nipped Ryder’s lip.

Ryder pulled back just enough to search my face. “Baby? What’s wrong?”

“I–my wolf,” I whispered. “She’s talking to me.”

He didn’t panic. He slid his hand down my arm and laced our fingers. “Come on. Let’s get some air.”

He guided me down the stone steps and across the garden, then past the hedges to the open training field. He set his jacket over my shoulders. “We’ll keep this between us,” he said, then sent a mind–link to the pack: “Field’s closed. No one comes out here right now.”

Finally, my wolf said, amused. Room to breathe. Hi, handsome. Her voice warmed when she felt Ryder near. Ours. So handsome.

Heat climbed my neck. “She, um… thinks you look good,” I mumbled.

Ryder’s mouth twitched. “Happy to pass inspection.” He took a step back. “What’s her name?”

I hesitated, listening. The answer came fast and bright.

Lyra. Don’t forget it.

“Lyra,” I said out loud. “Her name is Lyra.”

“Welcome back, Lyra,” Ryder said, voice steady. “Kieran’s practically pacing to meet you. Want to try shifting? I’ll go first. Only if you’re up for it–no pressure.”

“Yes, yes! Amelia, let me out–quickly!” Lyra said, excited and confident. But I wasn’t so sure it was a good idea…

Will you stop freaking out? We’re the strongest. Believe me.

“Okay,” I breathed. “We can try.”

Ryder pulled his shirt over his head and moved behind a tall hedge for a little cover, then shifted. Bones rolled, fur rippled, and in seconds a huge black wolf stood there–calm, sure, eyes bright gold in the moonlight. He padded closer and bumped his head against my hip.

“Hey,” I whispered, rubbing his neck. “Nice to meet you, Kieran.”

Kieran rubbed his face against my hand, and Lyra purred happily in my head. Then he backed up to give me space.

Ryder’s voice slid into my head, quiet and solid. Breathe, Baby. Slow. Let Lyra come forward. Don’t force it.

I closed my eyes and did as he said. Cool air filled my lungs. Scents sharpened–grass, earth, Ryder. Heat rolled along my spine. My fingers curled. Something pulled inside me, asking to be let through.

That’s it, Lyra said. I’ll take it from-

Pain spiked too fast, white and hot. My knees dipped. The pull slipped, like a door slamming shut from the other side.

Amelia, you have to let me take control, Lyra said, but the pain was too much, and no matter how hard I tried to let go, I just couldn’t-

“No-“The shift faded out. I steadied myself, frustrated. “I can’t.”

Ryder shifted back and caught my elbows. He pulled his shirt on with one hand and kept the other around me. “Don’t push. Your body’s still recovering. This isn’t a race.”

He’s right, Lyra said, not bothered at all. We could do it now if you weren’t fresh off nearly dying, but sure–healing first, fireworks later.

A weak laugh slipped out of me. “She says I’m being dramatic.”

“Good,” Ryder said, like that was the best news he’d heard all week. “If she’s talking like that, she’s awake for real. We’ll try again when you’re stronger.” He bent, unbuckled my heels, and nudged them aside. “Barefoot from here. I’m not carrying you if you faceplant.”

“I thought you said no pressure.”

“Rules are rules,” he said, smirking a little, and walked me back to the house at my pace.

172

Chapter 24: Daughter of the Moon Goddess

By morning, word had already spread that I’d woken with my wolf. Ryder didn’t call a full council, only the key people. Beta Lucas, Kara, the doctor–Mike–and the witch, Samantha, along with two pack healers I hadn’t met yet. Ryder stood at the head of the table, his hands braced on the wood.

“I’ll make this simple,” he said. “Last night, at the celebration, Amelia’s wolf stirred. We tried a shift. It didn’t take, but the

response was strong.”

Everyone looked at me then. I kept my shoulders straight. Kara squeezed my hand under the table.

Mike cleared his throat. “Alpha, I want to run baseline checks again. Heart rate, recovery speed, wound response. Nothing invasive. We just need data.”

One of the healers, a gray–haired woman with kind eyes, nodded. “We also have herbal support for a returning wolf. Gentle things to steady the bond.”

Samantha folded her hands in her lap. “I can confirm what I felt during the ritual. Her body can repair itself, so she won’t need to rely heavily on medicines. I think it’s fine to let her reset at her own pace.”

Ryder didn’t look excited. “As long as it won’t harm her, use what you need to make sure all wounds heal. Do it all. Whatever helps her recover, we do it. And while you work, I want answers,” he added, glancing at Samantha and Beta Lucas. “If there are old records about wolves like this, we find them.”

He’s so thorough, Lyra said, sounding pleased.

I bit back a smile. “What do you need from me?” I asked Mike.

“For today? Eat, rest, light movement. Then we’ll start. No stress,” he said. “Your body’s already doing the hard part.”

“Got it,” I said, even though my stomach fluttered.

“Library first,” Ryder decided. “We look while the team sets up.”

Ryder’s private library sat at the far end of the hall–tall windows, tall shelves, and the smell of old paper and leather. He unlocked a glass case and pulled out a stack of books and rolled scrolls, some tied in faded ribbon. He set them on a long

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