Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 54: Not Angry; Not Blind...

Chapter 54: Not Angry; Not Blind...

The final day of the Summit arrived under bright skies and the hum of excitement. The bloodshed of the duel died that night between five of them, and now, the estate’s sprawling grounds had transformed into a fair.

Colourful tents lined the eastern fields, filled with merchants, food stalls, enchanted trinkets, and games. It was open not just to the Alphas and their inner circles but to members of all the attending packs.

Music played, and laughter rang in the air; the scent of sweet spices and grilled meat clung to the breeze.

Emerald walked through the crowd alone, deliberately keeping to the edges.

She needed space.

After everything from Ares to Rick, Kieran, the fight, and the note, she couldn’t stomach another face-off with any of her mates. She had enough drama to fuel ten lifetimes already, and she wasn’t about to invite more.

And gods help, Rick, if he came within arm’s reach today.

Viola huffed in her mind. "You do know all of them are just looking for a way to corner you today, right?"

"I know," Emerald muttered aloud as she passed a stand of leather-bound books. "That’s why I’m avoiding them."

"You can’t avoid the truth."

"I can try," she replied, sipping a honey-lemon drink from a tall crystal cup.

"You’re just pretending to enjoy this, but you’ve been scowling at the face-painting tent for five minutes."

"I’m fine."

"You’re lying."

Emerald exhaled softly and kept walking. She paused at a stall selling crystal jewellery, pretending to study the pieces when a slight commotion caught her attention.

Loud voices filled the air, and one voice was particularly high-pitched and piercing.

She turned around instinctively, and her eyes landed on a child, no older than six, trembling, her eyes brimming with tears, while Alia towered over her in a glittering gown.

"I said, watch where you’re going!" Alia hissed, yanking the edge of her dress free from under the girl’s boot. "Do you know how much this costs?"

"I... I didn’t mean to..." the girl whimpered.

"She’s just a kid," a passerby mumbled, but no one stepped in.

Emerald’s blood boiled with anger, and without hesitation, she was already moving.

"Back off," Emerald said sharply, stepping between them.

Alia blinked in surprise. "Excuse me?"

"She’s a child," Emerald growled. "What’s wrong with you?"

"She stepped on my..."

"She’s a child, Alia. Try acting like a Luna instead of a tantrum-throwing debutante."

Alia’s face flushed deep red, eyes narrowing. "Always the protector," she sneered.

Emerald ignored her, turned away, and crouched beside the little girl, offering a gentle smile. "Hey. It’s okay. Want to get some ice cream?"

The girl sniffled and nodded.

Emerald pulled a few crisp bills from her pocket and handed them over. "Two scoops. And keep your head up, alright?"

The girl nodded quickly and scampered away, still sniffling.

Emerald stood and turned slowly.

"You’re unbelievable," Alia said behind her. "Always swooping in. Still trying to prove you’re some noble martyr, like an Alpha"

"Funny, since I am one," Emerald said, turning on her heel.

She didn’t get far before Alia’s voice slithered behind her. "I told you to stay away from him."

Emerald paused and slowly turned. "What?"

"Rick," Alia said with a voice like poisoned honey. "I told you. But you didn’t listen."

Emerald stared at her like she’d grown a second head. "You think I want him? Pffttt... If you’re so concerned, why don’t you go to him?"

Alia’s expression changed to something sharp and twisted, revealing not jealousy or rage, but something worse. "I warned you," she said. "Now you’ll see what happens when you cross me."

With that, she turned and vanished into the crowd.

Viola muttered. "I don’t like her tone."

"Neither do I," Emerald agreed, unease crawling up her spine.

—

Later that evening, as the fair wound down and leaders prepared to return to their respective territories, Emerald found a quiet corner by the main fountain, trying to soothe the dull ache behind her eyes.

Lucien appeared.

He always had a way of finding her when she least wanted to be found, and yet, she didn’t send him away.

"You still hiding from the rest of us?" he asked.

"I wasn’t hiding," she lied.

Lucien gave a quiet smile, then fell into step beside her. "Remember earlier? I said I had something I wanted to talk to you about."

Emerald nodded slowly. "Yeah. I remember."

There was a pause. Then Lucien said quietly, "It’s about the cave."

Her chest tightened.

"I know it wasn’t planned," he continued. "I know you didn’t go there with bad intentions. But still... it hurt. I never took anyone there before, and you knew that."

Emerald sighed. "I know. And I’m sorry."

Lucien didn’t look at her. He stared forward, hands in his pockets. "It wasn’t just the place, Emerald. It was what it meant to me."

"I didn’t mean for it to happen there," she said. "It just... did. And I’ve felt terrible about it ever since."

"I never brought it up," Lucien said, "because I didn’t want to guilt you. But that’s not why I pulled you aside tonight."

She turned her head slightly. "Then why?"

Lucien exhaled slowly. "Because it’s clear to everyone, Emerald. You’ve developed a preference."

She blinked. "A preference?"

"Kieran."

She opened her mouth to deny it.

"I’m not angry," Lucien added. "But I’m also not blind."

Emerald’s jaw clenched. "You’re wrong."

"Am I?" Lucien gave a tired smile. "You may not have spoken it, but your eyes already did."

Viola’s voice stirred. "He’s not wrong, you know."

"I’ve not chosen anyone," Emerald thought back.

"No, but you always look for him first. You protect him differently. Even when he challenged Ares, you didn’t want him to go. Not like that."

"That doesn’t mean anything."

"It does to them."

Emerald rubbed her temples. "Even if I did... I didn’t mean to; I didn’t plan it."

"I know," Lucien said gently. "And it’s okay. But the rest of us need clarity, too. Because this... this limbo, it ’s killing us."

"I didn’t ask for all of you," she whispered. "I didn’t ask to be claimed by multiple mates. I didn’t ask for him." She paused. "Any of them."

"No one did, Em," he replied. "But the bonds are still there. And they hurt when they’re imbalanced."

Emerald rubbed at her temple.

Lucien stepped closer. "So here’s what I propose."

She looked up.

"You spend time with each of us at our packs, one week with each mate. No distractions, no politics, just... figuring it out."

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