Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28: The Fast Lessen

Chapter 28: The First Lesson

Amelia’s POV

The night blurred after Ryder kissed me. I didn’t know how long ones left in the world. At some point, exhaustion dragged me down, and I must’ve fallen asleep wrapped in his arms.

g we stayed like that-clinging, kissing like we were the only When I woke the next morning, sunlight spilled across Ryder’s room, warming the sheets. For a second, I forgot where i was. Then I felt the soft weight of his arm over me, the steady rhythm of his breathing at my back, and everything came rushing back.

The prophecy. Lucas’s confession. Ryder’s truth. That kise

My chest squeezed. He’d told me everything, trusted me with the worst parts of his past-and it made me feel steady an shaken all at once.

“Morning, baby,” Ryder murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

Color rushed to my face. “Morning.”

He pressed a kiss against the back of my neck before finally pulling away, stretching like the big wolf he was. “I’ve got a meeting to handle. Stay here as long as you want. Lucas will check in on you.”

I nodded, hoping my voice didn’t give me away. “I’ll go back to my room.”

“Later,” he said firmly, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “We’ll eat together tonight.”

As soon as he was gone, the quiet settled like a weight. I lingered for a while, then slipped back to my room to change.

I had agreed to let him train me, and now that the promise hung over me, nerves knotted my stomach. What would training with Ryder even look like? Would I be able to keep up? Or would I only prove what everyone whispered-that I wasn’t strong enough to stand beside him?

The day crawled by. I didn’t see him once. Each hour that passed made my chest heavier. By the time dinner came, my

nerves were raw.

I walked into the dining hall to find Ryder and Lucas already at the table. Ryder looked up right away. Just one look-and the way his eyes softened-quieted something restless in me.

“Baby,” he said, standing to pull out the chair beside him. “Sit.”

I slid in, trying not to look as nervous as I felt.

Lucas gave me a small nod, always so calm. “Evening, Luna.”

I returned the gesture with a polite nod of my own.

Ryder didn’t waste time. “We’re setting up your training schedule,” he said. “Lucas and I already outlined the basics. Tonight, we’ll adjust it to you.”

My fork froze halfway to my plate. “Training… already?”

Ryder must’ve seen the flicker of panic in my eyes, because he slid his hand over mine and squeezed.

“Baby,” he said softly. “Relax. I’ll be there with you. Every session.”

Lucas leaned forward a little, his voice calm but firm. “Three sessions a week to start. Mornings only. We’ll work on your reflexes, defense, and how to stay balanced when Lyra pushes forward.”

I nodded slowly, even as sweat slicked my palms. “And Ryder… you’re really the one training me?”

“Always,” he said without hesitation. The finality in his voice left no room for argument. “No one else touches this.” That certainty… it settled something inside me, even if my stomach still wouldn’t stop flipping.

Dinner turned into a quiet strategy session-times, locations, what I’d be learning. Ryder kept his voice calm and steady, like he was trying to ground me with every word. Lucas handled the practical stuff: stretches, warmups, how not to pass out mid-sparring.

By the end of it, I wasn’t sure if I was excited or on the verge of throwing up. Probably both.

The next morning, I found myself standing on the training field with Ryder. The grass was still damp, clinging to my boots,

and the air had that early chill that crept under your

sleeves.

My hands tightened around the practice staff I

Successfully unlocked!

We keep itgnt Across from me, Ryder rolled his sleeves up to his eius. like a promise than a plan. “Balance, movement. No pressure.”

of uld grip the nerves my system. today,” he said, giving me a look that felt more

alt

Chapter 28. The First Lesson

I nodded, locking onto his voice like it was the only solid thing I had.

At first, it wasn’t bad. Ryder walked me through the anchored, pulling me back every time I wobbled.

“Good. Again, Faster,” he said, circling.

asics sidesteps, blocks, ducking low His voice stayed calm,

vskin got. My pulse pounded. Lyra stirred-sharp, restless,

I tried. I really tried. But the harder I pushed, the hotter my clawing at the edges.

Heat roared up my arm like lightning trapped under skin, crackling, clawing its way out before I could hold it down. “Amelia-stop.” Ryder moved toward me.

But I couldn’t. It was already breaking loose.

My arm snapped forward, and fire flared along the staff. A burst of force tore through the air. Ryder twisted just in time catching it on his forearm.

Smoke curled in the air, tinged with the awful scent of

flesh.

I dropped the staff like it bit me. “Ryder!”

He shook out his arm, waving off the smoke. “I’m fine.”

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