All Chapters of Claimed by the Ruthless Alpha Prince: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Kael’s POVHer actual path brought her away from the forest, down the mountain toward human settlements. Even with the masking agent interfering, I can still detect traces of her natural scent—a floral and earthy aroma that is surprisingly appealing.What strikes me as odd is the complete absence of paw prints along her route. The ground is soft enough in places that any shifter traveling in wolf form would have left clear tracks, yet I see only the faint impressions of boots and what looks like a walking stick. Why would a shifter choose to travel such a distance in her human form? It would be faster as a wolf. More efficient and less taxing.I find the girl in the early morning hours, sleeping on a thick branch about fifteen feet off the ground. She is curled up with her back against the trunk, a small black cat nestled against her chest. The defensive positioning puzzles me. Why sleep in a tree when she could shift and rest safely on the ground? Any shifter in wolf form would be th

Elara’s POVFor the first time in a long while, I miss my mother. Or maybe I miss the maternal affection that a mother can give, that unconditional love.I’m not going to make it, I realize dimly. The fever isn’t going to break. I don’t have the right tools for it. A quiet sigh of despair leaves my lips as I accept my fate.In my fever-induced haze, I’m vaguely aware of strong arms lifting me, cradling me against a warm chest. The touch is gentle, careful not to jar my injured leg, and for a moment, I feel completely safe.“Mom?” I whisper weakly, delirious, but there’s no answer.The arms carry me somewhere softer, somewhere that doesn’t involve clinging to a tree branch, and I sink into blessed unconsciousness.When I finally wake up, the sun is high overhead, but my vision is still blurry, my skin burning hot. Luna is making contented eating noises beside me, though the sound seems to echo strangely in my ears.“Luna?” I croak, my throat raw and dry. “What’re you—”I try to focus,

Elara’s POVThe stranger’s eyes flutter open as I rummage through my supplies. They’re the most striking blue I’ve ever seen—like cobalt touched with ice. Even poisoned and in pain, there’s an intensity to his gaze that makes my mouth drop open.“You need to lie down,” I tell him, pulling out my mortar and pestle. “That wolfsbane is going to spread fast.”“I’m fine,” he grunts.“You’re not fine.” I grab several herbs from my dwindling supply—silver-root, moonbell, and the precious healing moss I’ve been hoarding. “Wolfsbane thrives on how strong you are. It’ll kill you within an hour if we don’t neutralize it.”He tries to push himself upright, but the movement makes him hiss in pain. “I don’t need—”“Please, just let me help you.” I start grinding the herbs with urgent efficiency. “I know what I’m doing. I can get the poison out, but I need to work quickly.”He watches me silently, though his eyes are narrow in suspicion.“This is going to sting, but it’ll draw out the poison.” I ad

Kael’s POV“You don’t know anything about my reputation,” I say, testing her conviction.“I know you moved faster than three trained warriors could follow. You killed them like it was nothing.” Her eyes spark with what I want to say is admiration. “That’s enough for me.”The fuzzy feeling in my chest intensifies. When nobles praise my skills, it’s always with an underlying fear, a careful distance. But Elara speaks of my lethal abilities like they’re something to be grateful for, not terrified of.I take a bite of the boar meat to avoid responding, disturbed by how much her simple faith in me matters.“We need to change your bandages,” Elara says, suddenly rummaging through her knapsack again. “The wound needs to stay clean while the poison works its way out.”“I can manage it myself.”“I’m sure you can, but I have better supplies.” She pulls out a clean cloth and moves toward a small stream nearby. “Besides, I can see places you can’t reach.”I watch her rinse the fabric in the runni

Kael’s POV “Every week. The Wyvern Woods, past the territorial markers where even adult shifters won’t go.” She shrugs like it’s nothing. “I was the only one willing to do it.”“Because you didn’t have a choice.”“Because if I didn’t do it, I wouldn't eat.” The brutal honesty in her voice makes my hands clench into fists. “Simple as that.”I’m quiet for a long time, processing this. My father sent me to retrieve what he thought was their most powerful female—someone he assumed was valued and respected. Instead, I’ve found a woman who has been systematically abused and isolated by her own pack for years.“Kael?” Her voice is uncertain. “You look really angry.”I realize I’ve been standing completely still, my entire body stiff with barely controlled rage.“I am angry.”When I look at her, she actually takes a step back.“At me?”The question is so quietly vulnerable that it breaks through my fury.“No. Not at you.”“Oh.” Relief floods her features. “Good. For a second there, you looke