Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Amelia’s POV

Since hanging up with Lucas, my mind wouldn’t stop circling the worst.

Had Ryder’s plane gone down? Was he ambushed? Was he bleeding out somewhere-or worse, already gone? Every time 1 shut my eyes, I saw his face. Not how I remembered it-strong, certain, pulling me close-but wrecked like something was earing him apart. The thought hollowed me out.

Sloane caught me pacing the coven’s courtyard, arms wrapped around myself against the cool night air. She didn’t cold She just watched me with those sharp dark eyes, weighing me in silence.

You’re restless,” she said finally.

He’s in trouble.” My voice shook, but I didn’t care. “I can feel it.”

loane tilted her head, like she’d been waiting for me to say it. “Then let’s find him.”

nside her workroom, the air smelled of herbs and smoke. Candles lined the walls, low flames throwing shadows that swayed ike restless spirits. Sloane pulled out a silver bowl and poured in clear water until it nearly spilled over.

Sit,” she said quietly. “Breathe first. The rest will follow.”

lowered myself onto the floor and tried to steady my breath. My palms hovered above the water. For a long moment, othing happened-only the frantic pounding of my own heart. Then Sloane’s voice slid through the air, low and ontrolled.

Call to him.”

swallowed hard. “Ryder…”

The water rippled. My vision swam.

and then pain ripped through me like claws.

Chains. I saw them first. Silver cuffs biting into Ryder’s wrists, smoke curling where the metal seared his skin Blood kel lown his arms, staining the floor. He was on his knees, breath shallow, shoulders trembling with the effort of just saving pright.

And Jasper-Jasper stood over him, wearing that twisted smile that said he’d rather watch Rydet bred thus fish ht de swung a baton into Ryder’s ribs, and the crack echoed inside my skull.

tyder didn’t cry out, but I felt it. Gods, I felt it. My side lit up like it had been me instead. ribs splintering under the sow

No!” The word ripped out of me, and the bowl shuddered, water spilling over the r

Sloane’s hand caught my wrist before I tipped it “Stay with it. Don’t pull back now

Tears blurred my vision, but I forced myself to look Ryder’s hip split open under Jasper’s list His head snapped to the sids blood dripping onto the stone floor

I clutched my stomach, nausea clawing up my throat I couldn’t breathic Every strike he took Landed in me too

Sloane’s voice pressed harder. “Focus Anchor him. Do not let go

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7:53 am P PPP

Chapter 39-e

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My nails dug into my palms 1 pushed against the pain, against the weight of it, and whispered his name again “Ryder please

The vision snapped like glass fell back onto my hands, gasping. My body shok, my ribs ached, and my arms felt raw where the cuffs had cut into him.

Sloane crouched beside me. “You’re connected,” she said, matter-of-fact. “The pain won’t stay contained to either of you”

I wanted to argue, to deny it, but my body already screamed the truth.

The door burst open before I could catch my breath.

Dane stood there, phone in hand, his face grim. “Amelia-Lucas is on the line.”

My pulse spiked. I grabbed the phone with shaking fingers. “Lucas?”

‘Amelia? Are you safe?” His voice was clipped, strained.

Yes,” I whispered, though my chest still burned from Ryder’s pain. “What’s happening? Where is he?”

There was noise in the background-shouting, the rush of boots, papers being shuffled. Then Lucas’s voice dropped lower Scouts picked up movement. Ryder’s jet went off course, but he got out. He’s been sighted-heading your way.”

Air punched out of my lungs. “He’s alive?”

As alive as a man in his state can be,” Lucas said, tension edging every word. “But none of the scouts could get close. He wouldn’t stop, just kept pushing forward-straight in your direction.”

The call cut, leaving the line dead in my hand. My pulse thundered, every sound in the room too loud, too sharp. I barely had time to draw a breath before-

The door creaked open behind me. I turned-

ind froze.

Ryder.

He filled the doorway, barely upright, clothes torn and soaked in blood. His skin was gray, lips split, eyes glassy with exhaustion. But even through it all, they found me.

‘Baby…” His voice was raw, almost gone. “Are you… fine?”

He swayed, knees giving out. I was already moving, catching him before he hit the floor the sagged against me burning with fever, his heartbeat stumbling under pay palm.

“Ryder!” My voice cracked. “Gods-what did they do to you?”

He tried for a smile, but it twisted weak. “Doesn’t matter,” he murmured, words breaking apart. The a his eyes fluttered ne his weight slumped harder into me.

Dane rushed in, bracing Ryder’s other side, and together we lowered him onto the couch. Blood smeared hot and sitck across my hands. I pressed down on his side, desperate to stop the flow

Sloane swept in, sharp and unflinching, already pulling supplies from her kit She pressed cloth to las wounds study mng bum

fast-then froze.

1:58 am P PP

Chapter 39.

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afy nails dug into my palms I pushed against the pain against the weight of it and whispered hoxhame again. “ky der please.

The vision snapped like glass fell back onto my hands rasping My body shok my rites ac hand and my armis fet rom where the cuffs had cut into hum

Sloane crouched beside me. “You’re connected,” she asd, matter-of-fact. The pain won’t stay contained to either of you

I wanted to argue, to deny it, but my body already screamed the truth

The door burst open before I could catch my breath

Dane stood there, phone in hand, his face grim. “Amelia-Lucas is on the line.”

My pulse spiked. I grabbed the phone with shaking fingers. “Lucas?

Amelia? Are you safe?” His voice was clipped, strained.

Yes,” I whispered, though my chest still burned from Ryder’s pain. “What’s happening? Where is he??

There was noise in the background-shouting, the rush of boots, papers being shuffled. Then Lucas’s voice dropped lower Scouts picked up movement. Ryder’s jet went off course, but he got out. He’s been sighted-heading your way.”

Air punched out of my lungs. “He’s alive?”

As alive as a man in his state can be,” Lucas said, tension edging every word. “But none of the scouts could get close He vouldn’t stop, just kept pushing forward-straight in your direction”

The call cut, leaving the line dead in my hand. My pulse thundered, every sound in the room too loud, too sharp I barely

ad time to draw a breath before-

The door creaked open behind me. I turned-

nd froze.

tyder.

fe filled the doorway, barely upright, clothes torn and soaked in blood. His skin was gray hips spitt eves glassy will xhaustion. But even through it all, they found me.

Baby…” His voice was raw, almost gone “Are you fine

ī

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