Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 49: I Want You Back...

Chapter 49: I Want You Back...

Darius reached Emerald, scanning the group with barely restrained urgency. "You’re all alive. I thought... I thought something happened."

"Just an unexpected cave-in," Emerald said, brushing stone dust from her sleeves.

Darius frowned. "Unexpected? With you involved, nothing is ever just that."

Darius’s eyes darted to Kieran, Lucien, and Adrien before coming back to her. "What the hell were you all doing in there in the first place?"

"Having a group therapy session," Adrien muttered dryly.

Lucien didn’t say a word.

Emerald sighed. "We’ll talk later. Right now, let’s just get back. Everyone’s exhausted."

Darius’ eyes lingered on her face, checking for signs of injury. "Are you hurt?"

"I’m fine," she said quietly, though her gaze drifted past him toward Rick, who still stood, watching her from a distance.

His stare wasn’t the usual cold blankness or simmering anger she’d grown used to. No... it was something else today. Something unreadable that made her skin crawl.

"Let’s get everyone back to the estate," Darius said, stepping aside. "You all need to prepare for the banquet tonight. I’ll request double the guards in the meantime."

As the group began to move, Emerald lagged slightly, her steps heavy.

Her thoughts weren’t with Rick... or even Darius.

They were on Kieran. On The Rogue King. On the duel she hadn’t agreed to but now seemed inevitable.

She exhaled sharply.

If they wanted to act like ancient wolves fighting over territory and dominance, let them. She had had enough trying to fix it all.

Let them tear each other to shreds.

Kieran’s quiet presence appeared beside her as they walked through the long gravel path toward the estate gates.

"You’re really doing it?" she asked without looking at him.

"Yes."

"You’re sure?"

"Yes." His voice didn’t waver. "Don’t try to stop me."

She sighed and replied flatly. "I won’t try to stop you."

"That’s a first," he said softly. They walked in silence a few more paces before she asked, softer this time, "Are we... okay?"

Kieran stopped walking. She stopped, too.

His gaze turned to her slowly, the cold blue of his irises thawed by the hint of something warmer. "Yeah," she said. "We’re okay, but you need to understand... I didn’t tell you because I was afraid. Of what he’d do. Of what you’d do."

"I get it," he replied. "But if you want to fight this war, you can’t do it alone. You have to let someone stand beside you, Emerald. Trust has to go both ways."

Emerald looked at him. "I know."

He gave a faint nod and fell back into step with her.

It was enough for now.

—

— Later That Evening —

The moon had climbed halfway into the sky by the time Emerald stood in front of her mirror, pinning a silver clasp to her shoulder. The deep plum dress she wore clung to her form like it was made for her, with a slit high enough to flirt but not enough to invite.

She needed to remind these men, these Alphas, that she could command respect and attention without sacrificing either power or femininity.

Her hair curled loosely around her collarbones. Her lips were stained the colour of crushed berries. Her eyes were lined with kohl and silver.

She wasn’t dressing for anyone. But she knew every eye would be on her.

There was a knock at her door.

"It’s open," she called.

Darius stepped inside. "We should talk."

Emerald sighed and turned toward him. "I know."

He leaned against the frame, hands in his pockets. "I was going to say that... earlier, but you’ve been avoiding me."

"I was angry," she admitted. "And confused. You kept it from me... that he made a deal with my father. That I was promised to him like some kind of political pawn."

"I didn’t know how to tell you," Darius said quietly. "I wanted to wait until I could protect you from the fallout."

Emerald’s eyes glistened, but her voice remained firm. "I also found out," she added softly, "that The Rogue King sensed me as his mate even before the deal. He would’ve come for me regardless. The deal just... fast-tracked everything."

Darius looked down. "I should’ve told you sooner. But I didn’t know how. I didn’t want to lose you... Or watch you look at me like a stranger."

"You’re not a stranger," she said. "Not once, not ever."

The tension eased between them, like a wound that still throbbed but no longer bled.

He nodded once, then turned. "The banquet starts soon. I’ll be there if you need me."

—

Emerald walked through the estate corridors, heels clicking softly against the stone as she held her phone to her ear.

"All four of them?" Nessa’s voice cracked through the speaker. "In one place?"

Emerald smiled slightly. "Yep."

"Holy. Hell. Tell me everything. Were there fights?"

"Oh, there were threats, growling. A challenge to a duel."

"Shit, you’re living in a werwolf romance novel. Just tell me, who kissed who first?"

"I’ll tell you when I get back," Emerald said with a tired laugh. "Let’s just say... it’s been a long day."

"I bet. So, which one’s your favourite now?"

"Goodbye, Nessa."

"Wait... Ugh, you’re the worst. I need tea, not teasers."

Emerald laughed and looked up, only to find someone standing directly in her path.

"Gotta go," she muttered. "I’ll call you later."

"Wait, wait! Are you about to see one of them? Is it Kieran? Is he shirtless...?"

She hung up.

Rick stood with his arms crossed, his face giving nothing away.

"You’re blocking the hallway," she said with a sigh.

"I think you’ve just been too focused on me," he replied coolly.

She rolled her eyes. "I’m not in the mood for your drama, Rick."

"Is that what you think this is?" he asked, stepping closer. "I think you miss me."

"I think you’re delusional," she said, stepping to the side.

He stepped with her.

"Rick," she warned, but he didn’t back off.

Instead, in one swift move, he closed the distance, one hand pressing gently against the wall beside her head, his body just inches from hers.

Emerald stiffened. "What the hell, Rick?"

When he spoke, his tone wasn’t mocking or full of himself. It was gentle yet filled with emotion. "Do you love them?" he asked.

Her heart stuttered. "What?"

His gaze dropped to her lips. "Your mates. Do you love them?"

Her heart slammed in her chest. "Rick, this isn’t funny."

He didn’t smile. "I’m not joking."

She shook her head, trying to push past him, but he stepped in even closer. His breath was warm against her cheek. "Rick? What are you doing?"

"I want you back."