All Chapters of Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Elara's POV He looks up from the paper, his expression sarcastically surprised. “What did you expect? A tearful goodbye?”Heat flashes through me. “I expected... some acknowledgment that I’ve served this pack faithfully for years. That I’ve risked my life gathering herbs nobody else would dare collect.”“Served?” He laughs humorlessly. “You’ve been a drain on pack resources since the day you were born. The herbs you collect barely cover the cost of keeping you alive.”“That’s not true—”“Isn’t it?” He leans forward, his tone turning vicious. “How much do we spend on your pathetic little cottage? On the minimal food allowance? On tolerating your existence when any sensible alpha would have put you out of your misery years ago?”I swallow, my careful composure cracking. “I’ve gone into those woods when no one else would—”“Because you’re expendable.” The words are like a slap in my face. “If something kills you out there, it’s no great loss. That’s the only reason we send you.”The

Elara's POV I’m trapped.Hours pass in numb silence. I can’t even cry. I feel so empty. I try to sleep but keep startling awake at every sound outside. Around midnight, exhaustion finally takes over, and I doze fitfully on the couch with Luna curled against my chest.I wake to the soft creak of my front door opening.My eyes snap open, my heart hammering. Luna tenses in my arms, but she doesn’t hiss or run—which means whoever is entering isn’t a threat to her.Two figures slip into my home like shadows. In the dim moonlight filtering through the windows, I can just make out their shapes.“Selene?” I whisper.“Shh,” comes Daciana’s voice. “The guards are out cold, but we don’t have long.”I sit up carefully, still holding Luna. “What are you doing here?”Selene moves to my front window and peeks through the curtains. “Daciana drugged their water. They’ll be unconscious for maybe an hour, if we’re lucky.”“We’re getting you out of here,” Daciana says, her voice tight with urgency. “N

Kael’s POVFather stops pacing and fixes me with a stare that could cut glass, though he needs to brace himself against a marble column to do it. “I’m saying you’re going to track down their strongest female and bring her back here. To me.”“Absolutely not.” The words come out sharper than I intended. “I have more important things to do than chase after some scatterbrained woman who got cold feet.”“More important than following your king’s direct orders?”“More important than wasting my time on something that should be handled by Alpha Blackwood’s own trackers.” I step closer to the old man, my own anger rising. “There are murmurs of uprising among the packs siding with Draven. Real threats to the kingdom that need to be addressed.”“The Draven situation is under control.”“Is it?” I challenge him. “Because last I checked, three more packs have declared their allegiance to his faction. They’re growing bolder, Father. More organized. This is not the time to be distracted by runaway b

Kael’s POVHarper’s face goes white, then flushes deep red. “That’s not—I would never—My father wouldn’t—”“I don’t want a mate from a backwater pack like this,” I cut her off coldly. “Save your efforts for someone more... suited to your station.”She flinches as if I’ve slapped her, tears gathering in her eyes. “I was just trying to be welcoming—”“You were trying to be appealing. There’s a difference.” I open the door to my quarters and step inside, then turn back to face her stricken expression. “Don’t make this more embarrassing for yourself than it already is.”The door closes with a decisive click, cutting off whatever response she may have.Finally alone, I lean against the door and allow myself a moment of genuine exasperation. Blatant flirtation disguised as hospitality—exactly the kind of thing I despise. The Alpha’s transparent attempts to use his daughter as bait are pathetic, and the girl’s obvious desperation is almost painful to witness.My thoughts drift, as they oft

Kael’s POVI’m silent, bored out of my mind. If it weren’t for the mystery surrounding the missing female shifter, I wouldn’t tolerate this gathering. But somebody here knows something. I’m certain of it.“And your tracking abilities! Papa says you’re legendary. I bet you could find anyone, anywhere.” Her eyes sparkle with what she probably thinks is charming admiration but is only exasperating. “It must be thrilling, using those skills to serve the crown.”I take a bite of lamb to avoid responding. Her renewed persistence grates my nerves like sandpaper.“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier,” Harper continues, her hand moving closer to mine on the table with deliberate intent. “About duty and responsibility. I completely understand the weight of such things. It takes a special kind of person to handle that pressure, don’t you think?”She’s trying a different approach now: attempting to position herself as someone who understands the burdens of leadership. Her determination