Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 51: The Duel...

Chapter 51: The Duel...

"The Rogue King," Kieran said, eyes burning. "He told me to prepare to die tomorrow."

Emerald stood still on the balcony, watching Kieran as he pocketed his phone with a heavy expression.

She opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.

She wanted to beg him not to go. To tell him it was suicide, that the Rogue King would kill him.

Every part of her ached to reach for his hand and say he didn’t need to prove anything. That this wasn’t just another power play by an Alpha. The Rogue King wasn’t just different; he was darker, deadlier.

But she also knew the truth: he wouldn’t stop until someone made him. Walking away wouldn’t end it; it would only postpone what was coming.

So she said nothing more than, "Right."

Kieran raised a brow. "That’s all you have to say?"

"What do you want me to say?" she replied, folding her arms. "That I’ll beg you not to go?"

"Would you?" he asked softly.

She hesitated. Her silence said more than any words.

Kieran stepped closer, reading her easily. "You’re worried."

She scoffed and rolled her shoulders, forcing a casual stance. "Not really."

His eyes searched her. "You lie worse when your voice goes quiet."

She forced a smirk. "Whatever."

Kieran leaned in and brushed a kiss against her cheek, featherlight but lingering just a second too long. "Goodnight, Emerald," he whispered, pulling back.

Then he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there under the silent fireworks and dying light.

—

The next morning arrived far too fast.

Another summit meeting was scheduled in the main hall. Emerald walked in dressed in a dark crimson dress, her face composed even though her nerves twisted deep in her gut.

The discussions dragged... trade routes, rogue patrols, and possible agreements between packs. But all she could hear was the steady thud of her own pulse in her ears.

Kieran was across the room. He hadn’t looked at her once.

And she knew why.

After the meeting adjourned, she stood and moved to leave, hoping to catch a moment alone before everything spiralled again.

But of course, Rick was there.

"Emerald," he called, catching up beside her as she exited the conference room. "Got a moment?"

She didn’t stop walking. "No."

He gave her a crooked smile, matching her pace. "You looked good in there."

She rolled her eyes. "Don’t you have other women to pester?"

"I just thought we could..."

He halted mid-sentence as Darius stepped into the hallway from the opposite corridor, his presence like a stone wall in Rick’s path.

Rick stopped and gave a wry smirk. "I’ll see you later, then."

She didn’t answer, just rolled her eyes and walked past Darius, who fell into step beside her.

"Lucien told me Rick’s been bothering you."

"Lucien should stop tattling."

Darius raised a brow. "You sure you don’t want me to handle it?"

"I’ve told those men to stop trying to fight my battles for me." Her voice was calm, but her eyes were steel. "He’s not a threat, just an annoyance. Focus on the politics."

Darius nodded, though his jaw remained tight.

—

The rest of the day crawled by. Emerald drifted through the motions, attending the required panels, eating half-heartedly, and smiling through small talk. But her mind was elsewhere, always returning to the same thing:

The duel... Tonight.

When dusk fell and the sun began to bleed into the horizon, her phone buzzed.

Come to the clearing behind the Pack estate. Now.

Emerald didn’t need to ask who it was.

She made her way quickly through the estate gardens, ducking under hanging vines and crossing the narrow stone path toward the woods behind the compound.

The clearing, located just past the old training grounds, was surrounded by a ring of trees that created a natural arena.

Kieran was already there.

He stood at the centre of the clearing, arms crossed, looking calm, considering his current situation. He gave her a small, warm smile.

She didn’t return it.

Her stomach twisted as she approached. "You came."

"You knew I would."

She looked down. "Yeah."

More footsteps followed. She turned, surprised as Adrien and Lucien emerged from the trees, both dressed in dark clothes, eyes sharp.

"What are you two doing here?" she asked, her voice rising.

Before either could answer, The Rogue King stepped from the shadows. "Because it is only fair," he said smoothly, "that they see what awaits them... if they ever decide to challenge my claim over you."

Emerald’s patience snapped. She stormed across the clearing, her hand flying before she even registered the movement.

SLAP.

The crack echoed like a gunshot. The Rogue King’s head snapped to the side, but he didn’t retaliate.

"I’ve said this before," Emerald snarled, eyes blazing. "And I’ll say it again: You. Don’t. Own. Me."

She turned to the rest. "None of you do. And I’m sick and tired of you guys acting like you do."

The Rogue King’s eyes glowed brighter, not with anger... but something deeper, bordering between darkness and desire. "I always did like my women feisty," he murmured. "It’ll be fun... making you beg."

Emerald’s stomach turned at the dark edge of his words, and she wasn’t alone. Adrien let out a warning growl, Lucien looked ready to punch something, and Kieran’s expression hardened.

Kieran stepped forward, drawing her attention. "Emerald," he said softly. "That’s not how we see you."

She looked at him, her voice hard. "Then why are you going through with this?"

His mouth tightened.

The Rogue King stepped into the centre of the clearing. "Let’s go."

Emerald stepped aside, jaw clenched.

Adrien gave her a glance. His usual smirk was gone. He looked almost guilty. Lucien said nothing, but his gaze lingered on her, filled with unspoken questions.

Emerald looked away; she couldn’t focus on them... not now.

Kieran stepped into the ring. The Rogue King followed, golden eyes blazing.

Without a word, they both shifted.

Kieran’s wolf was a big, grey beast with intelligent blue eyes.

The Rogue King’s wolf was larger, massive, covered in pitch black fur that seemed to swallow the moonlight. His eyes burned red, like coals under ash.

Viola stirred. "That’s not just a wolf. That’s something else."

They circled each other, teeth bared, then they lunged.

The clash was immediate and brutal.

Kieran moved faster, ducking beneath the first strike, raking his claws across The Rogue King’s shoulder. Blood sprayed the grass.

The Rogue King twisted, catching Kieran across the flank, driving him back with a burst of dark power that made the air shimmer.

Emerald gripped her arms tightly. Adrien was silent beside her. Even he knew there was no space for jokes now. Lucien’s eyes didn’t move from the fight.

The wolves collided again.

Kieran dodged, ducked, then spun and sank his fangs into The Rogue King’s side.

The black wolf roared, writhing.

Kieran didn’t let go. He clawed upward and ripped across his opponent’s ribs, sending him crashing back.

For a moment, everything stopped.

The Rogue King staggered. Blood soaked his side. He shifted back with a snarl, barely managing to stay on his feet as he reached for his nearby coat.

Kieran shifted too, breathing hard but standing tall, fastening his.

The Rogue King stared at him, rage and disbelief flooding his face. Then, he looked at Emerald, eyes wild. "What did you do?" he demanded.

Emerald stared at him, stunned. "What?"