Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 45: Coming For You...

Chapter 45: Coming For You...

"Are you alive or is this your ghost calling me?" Nessa’s voice blasted through the phone the second Emerald answered.

"Uhmm... good morning to you, too, cousin."

"I heard about the crash. You okay? Tell me you’re not walking around with glass sticking out of your ribs or something."

Emerald sighed, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear as she adjusted the clasp on her belt. "I’m fine. A few bruises that have already healed, that’s all."

"Liar," Nessa replied immediately. "I can hear it in your voice. Something’s off."

Emerald paused. "I just... I don’t have time to talk about it now. The summit officially starts today. I need to be ready."

"Yeah, I figured. Just... promise me you’ll be careful? I’ve got a weird feeling."

"You and me both."

"Seriously, Em. You’ve got that tone. Like something’s coming."

"It is," Emerald whispered. "And I don’t think I can stop it."

A silence passed. Then Nessa cleared her throat. "Alright. You need backup, you call me. You hear?"

"I hear."

"And if that bitch Alia breathes in your direction again, tell her I’ve got claws with her name on them."

Emerald laughed, a weak but real one. "Will do."

She ended the call, pocketed her phone, and sighed.

The knot in her stomach hadn’t loosened since last night. She had hardly slept. Her dreams were all fangs and blood and that damn voice whispering death into her ear.

But now, it was the first day of the Summit. And she needed to show up as Alpha, not a crumbling woman with too many secrets.

Emerald pulled herself together: sleek black trousers, a hunter green blouse, and a blazer that fit perfectly. She allowed her hair to flow down her shoulders.

She pinned a silver brooch of her pack’s sigil on her lapel, and after a brief look in the mirror, she stepped out of her room.

Once outside, Emerald made her way toward the central hall where the summit’s first official meeting was taking place.

The space was wide, with a long oval table framed by tall glass windows and carved obsidian pillars. The Alphas from across the continent were seated in orderly fashion, papers and datapads before them, murmuring in low voices.

At the head of the table, naturally, sat Rick.

He hadn’t changed much; his build was still broad, his jaw too tight with self-importance, and his dark eyes tracked her as soon as she entered.

She offered him nothing but a glance and took her place near the left side of the table, representing her region.

"Now that everyone’s finally arrived," Rick began, "we can begin."

The discussions that followed ranged from border control between packs to rogue incursions and new proposals for resource sharing.

At one point, the leader of the Riverbone pack suggested restricting inter-pack mating until political alliances were better clarified.

"I vote no," Emerald said evenly. "I don’t think the moon goddess checks through birth records to see who’s born to which pack before assigning a mate to them. So, we don’t get to regulate mating bonds because they make you uncomfortable."

Rick leaned forward. "Some of us think before jumping into multiple mates, Emerald. Or perhaps your opinion’s clouded by your... complicated arrangements by the moon goddess."

A few murmurs echoed around the table. Emerald’s eyes narrowed.

"You mean my success as an Alpha? My ability to hold territory and loyalty despite being outnumbered by enemies and stalked by ghosts from my past?" she asked sweetly. "Yes, it must be such a burden to be me."

Rick’s smirk wavered.

Before he could respond, Adrien’s voice cut in from down the table. "Emerald doesn’t rely on her mates to lead. She earned her place here, and you’d do well to remember it."

Rick’s lips twisted into a sharp smile. "Of course. I forget how vocal her lovers can be."

Emerald’s jaw tightened. She didn’t respond... just stared Rick down until he looked away.

The meeting wrapped up shortly after, with plans made for the evening ceremony and further negotiations scheduled for tomorrow.

As they all dispersed, Emerald grabbed Adrien by the arm and pulled him aside. "You didn’t need to step in," she said sharply.

Adrien blinked. "You’re welcome?"

"I’m not a damsel in distress, Adrien. I didn’t need you defending me in there."

"I wasn’t trying to undermine you," he said, caught off guard. "I just... he was disrespecting you."

"Let me handle disrespect how I see fit. When you jump in like that, it makes me look weak. Like I can’t stand on my own, further solidifying his point."

"I didn’t mean to..."

"I know," she cut in. "But you did." She turned, only to nearly run into Lucien.

"Everything alright?" he asked, glancing between them.

"Peachy," she replied, brushing past them both.

That was when she spotted Kieran.

He stood across the courtyard, just near the entrance to the estate gardens. Her breath caught. Something was off. Her skin prickled. Her wolf stirred.

He’s alone.

Lucien stepped up beside her. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied.

"Don’t lie. You’re tense."

"I need to speak to him," she said, already moving.

Adrien caught her arm. "Why do you keep running after him lately?" There was heat in his voice now. "What is it with you two?"

"Nothing," she snapped.

Lucien frowned. "You’ve been acting strange ever since the crash. What’s going on?"

"Why does it matter?" she asked defensively. "Why does everyone feel so entitled to my choices?"

"Because we’re your mates," Adrien said bluntly. "We’re allowed to care."

"Well, maybe I’m sick of being questioned every time I breathe," she hissed, pulling away. "Just leave me alone."

She stalked off, not waiting for their replies.

She caught sight of Kieran just as he disappeared down the old trail toward the forest. Panic surged in her chest.

Her phone buzzed.

Her hands trembled as she answered it. "What?"

"I see him," The Rogue King’s voice purred. "So clean. So unaware. You should prepare to say goodbye."

"Don’t you fucking touch him!" she snapped, already breaking into a run.

He laughed. "You led me to him. This is fate, little wolf."

"Stay away from him!"

"You can’t stop me."

The call ended.

She sprinted after Kieran, dodging past trees, her boots pounding against stone and soil. The trail led deeper into the woods and eventually curved into a narrow opening... an old mining shaft, long since abandoned.

She saw him there, leaning against one of the support beams.

"Kieran!" she shouted, panting.

He turned, startled. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same."

"Don’t start," he said. "If this is about some invisible assassin..."

"It’s not invisible," she said, stepping closer. "It’s real. He’s real. And he’s coming for you."

Kieran crossed his arms. "You still won’t say who it is. Just admit you’re making excuses to chase me."

"I’m not," she snapped. "He’s dangerous, and you’re not safe."

He stared at her. "Why?"

Silence stretched.

"I need you to trust me," she whispered.

"Too late," he said. "I trusted you. And I got lies and silence."

"I’m trying to protect you."

"Then say it!" he shouted. "Tell me what’s going on!"

"I can’t," she said, voice cracking.

"Why are you making things difficult, Em? His expression softened just a fraction. "I love you, Emerald. I don’t know when it happened. I just know it did, but you are giving me reasons not to."

Her mouth opened in shock. "Kieran..."

"I love you," he repeated. "And I need to know if you feel anything close to that, or if I was just a placeholder."

Before she could say more, a new voice cut in. "Well. Isn’t this cosy?"

Adrien stood at the entrance to the shaft, his eyes narrowed. Lucien stood beside him.

"Now what do you two think you’re doing here?" Adrien asked, stepping forward.

Lucien’s voice was quiet, but firm. "What’s going on between you two?"

Kieran and Emerald locked eyes, unsure of what to say.

Lucien pulled Emerald aside gently. "Hey. I’m sorry I raised my voice earlier. But you’re shaking. Tell me the truth. Are you in danger?"

"No," she lied again, her voice barely steady.

"You’re lying."

Before she could reply, her skin prickled. A cold swept through the tunnel. Every breath seemed heavier.

Then... "He’s here," Emerald murmured.

All three men tensed.

"Who?" Adrien asked.

Footsteps echoed through the stone corridor.

Suddenly, out of the darkness, The Rogue King appeared in the light of the mine. His golden eyes shone brightly, and a smile spread across his face.

"Who the hell is that?" Adrien whispered.

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