Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 29: Obvious Bait...

Chapter 29: Obvious Bait...

"Are you sure we should be following a shadow into the unknown?" Viola’s voice buzzed in Emerald’s head as she slipped past the last set of torches that lined the courtyard.

"No," Emerald muttered under her breath. "But I’m doing it anyway."

The bright windows of the estate dimmed behind her as she walked deeper into the woods. The moon shone high above, its light breaking through the leaves in small pieces.

With each step, she moved further away from the safety of her home and into the quiet of the forest.

"You’re not thinking straight," Viola said. "This could be a trap."

"Probably is."

"And you’re walking straight into it."

Emerald’s boots crushed a patch of dried leaves, the sound unnervingly loud in the silence. "I know."

Branches creaked above her, and the wind carried with it the earthy scent of moss and shadow.

There was no trail, no path, just instinct guiding her feet and the persistent tug deep in her chest. Like a string tied to her sternum, pulling her further and further away from everything rational.

"It’s getting stronger," she whispered.

As she walked on, she noticed that the air felt different. It became heavier and colder, as if she had stepped through an unseen barrier.

Viola hissed, "This feels wrong."

Fog wrapped around her legs, moving with her as if it was under her control. Her wolf felt uneasy, but her instincts urged her to keep going, pulling her forward like a tight grip around her chest.

"I know." Emerald stepped under a twisted branch, her hand brushing bark as old as time. "But I need to know who or what it is."

Her heart thudded louder with each step as her hand hovered near the dagger hidden in the folds of her white dress.

A rustle in the trees made her spin.

Nothing.

Then, a snap.

A branch behind her cracked.

She whirled again. "Who’s out there?" she called, her voice echoing into the fog.

No answer.

The silence pressed in heavier.

She clenched her fists. "I should go back."

"Exactly. You’re being lured," Viola said. "This is obvious bait."

"I know," Emerald whispered. "And for some reason, it’s working."

She could still make it to the edge of the estate and pretend this was nothing. No one had to know she’d chased shadows into the woods like a fool.

Instead, she kept moving.

The pull became stronger, turning into a deep ache, as if her bones were buzzing.

"This is insane," she murmured. "This is—"

She stopped.

The forest around her opened into a small clearing bathed in silver light. Moonlight poured through the branches above like a divine spotlight. It shimmered against the dew-soaked grass and painted the trees in ghostly hues.

Emerald spun around, her heart racing. "I swear, if this is another mind trick..."

But she didn’t finish her thought. She turned again and nearly stumbled back.

He was right there, just inches away, close enough that she could feel the warmth coming from his skin.

The Rogue King.

Emerald’s breath caught.

He didn’t move. He didn’t speak. He just looked at her like she was the only thing in the world worth seeing.

His golden eyes shone brightly in the darkness, glowing like fire through glass. They swept over her dress, lingering unapologetically on the high slit, before returning to her face with an intense look.

His dark hair fell around his face in loose waves, streaked with silver that seemed to absorb the moonlight.

He didn’t look surprised to see her; he looked like he’d been waiting.

Her voice cracked. "What are you doing here?!"

Instead of answering, he reached out and curled a strand of her hair around his fingers, letting it slip slowly between them.

"I’m here," he said in that smooth, rough-edged voice, "to collect what is mine."

Emerald scoffed, even as her pulse fluttered. "Let me guess," she said, smacking his hand away and stepping back, "that’s me?"

His lips curved. "Of course it is."

Viola all but purred. "He’s delicious. Oh damn, we’re so screwed if he as much as kiss..."

Emerald mentally shoved her wolf aside. "I don’t know who the hell you are, or where you came from," she said tightly, "but I sure as hell don’t belong to you."

He tilted his head slightly, amused. "Feisty... I like that. "

"And you’re delusional. I hate delusions. I’ll ask again, what do you want?"

"I told you already." He tilted his head. "You."

Emerald gritted her teeth. "You’re infuriating."

He stepped forward, closing the space between them again. "You can deny it all you like, little wolf. But eventually, you’ll stop resisting. And you’ll beg for what I offer."

His confidence was so maddening it made her want to scream... or slap him... or...

Kiss him again.

Damn it.

Her pulse thundered.

She took another step back, raising her chin. "You’re standing in the middle of a forest, stalking me, because you think if you keep pushing, I’ll just roll over and fall into your arms?"

"I’m standing in the middle of a forest," he said, stepping closer, "because your soul pulled me here."

She narrowed her eyes. "Stalker."

He smirked. "Mate."

Emerald backed up. "This isn’t how bonds work. You don’t get to decide. And you don’t get to barge into my life and dictate fate like a damn tyrant."

"But fate already decided," he said simply. "We’re just catching up."

Emerald opened her mouth to argue again, then from behind her: "Emerald!" Kieran’s voice cut through the trees, distant but approaching.

She turned instinctively toward the sound.

And when she turned back, he was gone.

Or... he should have been.

Because the Rogue King was no longer in front of her, he was now right behind her. She felt his chest pressing against her back, and his breath softly tickled her neck.

She froze.

He leaned in, lips nearly touching her ear.

"I’ll be seeing you soon, little wolf."

The heat of his words raced down her spine, and for a moment, just a moment, she couldn’t move.

Then he stepped away.

By the time she turned, he was already walking toward the trees, unhurried, vanishing into the mist like a phantom.

She should’ve yelled, threatened him, cursed him, something.

But her breath wouldn’t come.

Her body refused to cooperate.

And then...

"Emerald!" Kieran burst into the clearing, panting, eyes scanning wildly until they landed on her.

He rushed over, grabbing her shoulders. "Are you okay? What the hell are you doing out here?"

Emerald blinked.

"I..." she faltered.

But then she noticed something.

Kieran’s gaze had drifted past her, his eyes narrowing toward the woods where the Rogue King had disappeared.

She turned too.

His figure was barely visible as he moved between the shadows, taking slow, deliberate steps, like he wasn’t trying to hide. Like he wanted Kieran to see him leave.

Kieran stiffened. "Em? Who was that?"

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