All Chapters of Escaping the Alpha, Claimed in the End: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Ryder’s POV“Can I ask you something?” Amelia said out of nowhere, sounding hesitant—like she ever had to hesitate with me.I cocked my head, trying to catch her eyes. “Baby, you don’t need a hall pass. Just say it.” Her fingers trembled where they rested over mine. She drew in a deep breath, then let it slip out slow. “I want to try healing you.” I froze. Did she even hear herself? She was still healing, still weak. Trying it now could wreck her. “No,” I said, firm.She flinched at how sharp it came out, but I couldn’t help it. The thought of her burning herself out for me made my stomach twist. “Ryder—” “Don’t,” I cut in. “Baby, you’re barely holding yourself together as it is. How can you expect me to agree to you pouring more energy into me?” Her jaw tightened, her face crumpling in a way that made my chest ache, but I couldn’t let myself get weak. “You’re hurt worse than I am, Ryder,” she whispered, her voice trembling but insistent. “I already healed myself—I know I can d

Camille’s POVThe stench of the dungeon clung to me like rot. My body was weak from days of sitting in the damp cell, my dress torn, my hair tangled, and my skin covered in grime. I hated the way the guards looked at me when they tossed scraps of food through the bars. I hated that Amelia had been walking around free while I was left to rot in this hole, abandoned like I didn’t matter anymore. Every hour in the dark made me hate her even more.The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. For a second, I thought it was another guard. But then the lock turned, and the door creaked open. My mother stepped inside, her face lit with a smile that made my stomach tighten.“Look at you,” she said slowly, her eyes scanning my dirty dress, the bruises on my arms. “This is what you’ve become? And you really thought you could be Luna?” She gave a sharp laugh. “Pathetic.”I tried to straighten my back even though I felt like collapsing. “It’s not my fault,” I muttered, my throat dry.My mother’

Amelia’s POVThe room was frozen. No one moved. No one spoke. I could feel Ryder’s grip on my hand tighten, but not painfully. Just firm—steady.He leaned close and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”I gave a small nod, my heart thudding too loud in my ears. Camille stood in front of everyone, looking like she’d been dragged through hell and then dressed up to pretend it didn’t matter.Her hair was a mess, her dress all wrinkled, and the way she looked at me—eyes sharp like she already decided I was guilty—made my chest tighten, even though I knew I didn’t do anything wrong.A few murmurs started in the crowd.“Wasn’t she exiled?” “She almost killed Amelia…” “Why is she even here?”Camille let out a sharp, mocking laugh that echoed off the walls. “Oh, come on,” she said, her tone dripping with spite. “Drop the innocent act. Half of you can’t stand that little maid any more than I can.”Someone near the back shouted, “You were locked up for nearly murdering Luna Amelia!”Camill

Amelia’s POVEveryone just stared at me.No one moved. No one even breathed. It was like the whole world had stopped.I could still feel the power rushing through me — wild and hot, running under my skin like fire and light all mixed together. My heart was beating so fast it hurt, but I didn’t care. I could finally breathe again.I looked down and saw paws where my hands should be. Real paws. Huge, silver-white with streaks of faint purple light that shimmered every time I moved. I could feel the air brushing through fur that belonged to me.“She has a wolf,” someone whispered from the crowd, voice shaking. “Is that really her?” “It’s her wolf… Goddess, she’s beautiful.”The words hit me one by one until I almost couldn’t stand it. For so long, I’d been called wolfless. Broken. Defective. Now they were all looking at me like I was something impossible.Then I heard her.“Took you long enough to notice me, sweetheart.”Her voice slid through my mind like a warm spark — familiar, tea

Amelia’s POVThe only thing you owe him is a rejection. Say the words. End it.It isn’t that easy, I told her. I already rejected Jasper… and he rejected my rejection. He said I don’t get to choose.Lyra snorted. For some wolves, maybe. For us? No. Her tone sharpened. We’re not ordinary. We’re a special wolf, marked twice. We have two mates. That means choice. He doesn’t get to refuse you. He doesn’t get to own you.Two mates, I repeated, the fear loosening in my chest.Yes, she said, firm. You get to decide which bond you keep. That’s your right. So stop hiding. Walk out there, lift your chin, and reject him in front of everyone. Let the bond hear you. I’m with you.Her words sank in deep. For the first time, I didn’t feel like prey trapped in a room full of wolves. I felt stronger—angry, awake, ready to fight back. My heartbeat slowed, my breathing steadied.Images flashed in my head—Jasper aiming at me for practice, leaving me without food for days, taking every coin I worked for a