Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End novel Chapter 40

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Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Amelia’s POV

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When Ryder finally opened his eyes, it felt like the whole room exhaled with me. He tooked wrecked-skin pale, lips cracked, eyes heavy with exhaustion-but alive. And that was more than I thought I’d ever ge: again

“Amelia,” he rasped, voice torn and rough.

I clutched his hand. “I’m here.”

He tried to push himself up, but I held him down. “Don’t. You’re hurt.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he muttered, eyes locking onto mine, sharp even through the haze. “You left me.”

The words cut deep. My throat closed. “I know.”

“I told myself you didn’t mean it,” he said, voice cracking. “But it broke me anyway.”

Tears burned hot. “I lied, Ryder. I told you I didn’t love you because I thought I was protecting you. The prophecy and I’d bring ruin, that I’d be the reason the Pack fell. I thought leaving was the only way to keep you safe.”

He forced himself upright, shaking, but unyielding. His hand caught the back of my neck, pulling me close until I couldn look anywhere but at him.

“You are not my ruin,” he growled. “You’re my Luna. My mate. If the prophecy comes true, if war comes. I’ll bleed for it. But I won’t lose you. That’s the one thing I can’t survive.”

The dam broke. Tears ran hot and unchecked. “I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “I thought leaving would save you. All I did was hurt you. Hurt us.”

His hand shook as he brushed my cheek, but his touch steadied me. “No more carrying this alone.” he whispered

I buried my face in his chest, breath hitching. “I don’t want to run anymore. I don’t care what the prophecy says if we tail then we fall together.”

He lifted my chin, thumb gentle under my jaw. His lips pressed against mine-soft at first, then desperate the kust se that carried every fear, every vow, every promise we’d broken and were trying to rebuild

The next day, Sloane gathered us for lunch in the coven hall. Ryder was still weak, but he sat straighter than he shoud duke his pride refusing to bend. Plates clattered softly as the witches served food, the air thick with herbs and stuck

When the meal wound down, Ryder set his fork aside “I owe you thanks,” he said to Skane voice luni de spate their opt the what you did-for saving her.” His eyes flicked to me “For saving us

Sloane inclined her head “She did most of the work herself

Sull, Ryder pressed on Tll repay the debt. But now Ent taking Amelia with me She belongs with me in Paw noon

The words hung heavy

Dane, sitting across from us, set his cup down a linle too hard “She’s not vody. Her haming ismi morsheil fler body is sit!! weak.” His eyes cut to Ryder, sharp If you really cared, you’d see that

Ryder’s jaw flexed, but his voice stayed low and lethal “She is mine My Luna No one decutes for fier bur me

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Chapter 10

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#fe table went quel My checks burned, not from embarrassment but from the weight of Ryder’s claim His fingers laced

barrassmen through tine tight like he was afraid I’d vanish again.

“You think you can protect her from everything?” Dane snapped, his calm finally breaking. “You nearly lost her unce already

“And I’ll kill anyone who tries again.” Ryder shot back, eyes flashing. “She doesn’t need your training to stand by my side She needs me And I’ll guard her with everything I am.”

Dane pushed back his chair, the legs scraping hard against stone. “You arrogant-” fe cut himself off. standing so fast his chair tipped. Then he stormed out, the door slamming behind him.

The silence that followed pressed down like a storm.

Sloane’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t side with Dane. Instead, she looked at me. “It’s up to you. If you want to stay stay !! you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”

I squeezed Ryder’s hand. “I’ll go.”

Ryder’s shoulders eased, tension leaking out just enough for him to draw a breath.

Sloane sighed, long and low. “Then we’ll end the training early. But remember, Amelia-the bond you share cuts both ways. Whatever pain he takes, you will feel. And the same for him.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

When lunch ended, Ryder started to rise when I did, but I shook my head. “Stay. You should be lying down, not chasing me

round. I just need a little walk, that’s all.”

He searched my face for a long moment, then sighed and kissed my temple before sinking back into his seat.

I found Dane in the courtyard, leaning against one of the stone pillars, his face shadowed.

‘Dane,” I said softly.

He didn’t look at me. “Don’t apologize for him.”

‘I wasn’t going to,” I whispered, though guilt tugged at me anyway. “I came to apologize for me

What

That made him glance over. His eyes were tight, pain sharp in them. For what? For choosing him

The when Tical i

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