Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 55: His Proposition...

Chapter 55: His Proposition...

"Spend time with each of us at our packs," Lucien said, tone even, "one week with each mate. No distractions, no politics. Just... figuring it out."

Emerald’s eyes widened like Lucien had grown horns. "Lucien..."

He stood there, arms folded, as if he hadn’t just proposed complete insanity.

"You can’t be serious," she said.

"I am."

"You want me to take a vacation with each of you like this is some twisted dating show?"

"I want you to have clarity."

"That’s... that’s insane." She took a half-step back, like distance might help the logic sink in. "I’m an Alpha, Lucien. I have a pack to run. Responsibilities. The fact that I’m female doesn’t mean I’m just going to take a dating tour through the damn continent."

"It’s not about that..."

"No? Then what is it about?" she snapped. "You think if I stay with each of you, what, I’ll fall neatly into place and pick the right mate like some royal fairytale?"

Lucien’s face didn’t waver. "It’s not about making you choose. It’s about giving you space to feel. Right now, you’re surrounded by chaos. We all are. Everything we say, everything we do is watched. This gives you time, us time, away from all that noise."

Emerald laughed, short and humourless. "How long have you been planning this?"

"I talked to Adrien," he admitted. "He agrees."

She blinked. "He what?"

"He’s on board."

"Oh, of course he is." She folded her arms. "Let me guess, he’ll make it a private beach week and bring wine, candles, and that damn shirt he always unbuttons halfway just to show off."

Lucien smiled faintly. "He probably will."

"I’m not doing it," she said firmly. "End of discussion."

Lucien’s tone softened. "It’s the only way to make things fair, Emerald."

"Fair?" she echoed with a laugh. "So what... what’s the expectation here, Lucien? That I spend a week in each of your beds? That I rotate between you like a damn prize?"

Lucien’s expression darkened slightly. "It’s not about sex. It’s about time, about letting each bond breathe. "

She exhaled slowly, biting the inside of her cheek.

Lucien watched her, his tone softer now. "Think about it. That’s all I ask."

Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the twilight with nothing but the rustling of leaves to mark his passing.

"You’re quiet," Viola murmured.

"Because I don’t know whether to scream or laugh."

"Or cry."

"I don’t cry."

"You almost did when Ares left."

Emerald gritted her teeth and fumed all the way to the transport vehicles, shoulders tense, jaw clenched. The air had cooled, and the scent of roasted meat from the fair still clung to the night.

People were saying goodbyes, packs were gathering, and guards were giving instructions.

As she reached her assigned vehicle, her eyes caught movement.

Rick.

Standing just a few yards away, leaning against a black car, watching her like he had nothing better to do, like he had anything left to say.

Emerald rolled her eyes so hard they nearly fell out of her head. "Perfect," she muttered. "He and Alia both have the uncanny ability to creep me out and ruin my day."

Viola chuckled in her mind. "They really are made for each other."

She pulled the car door open and slid into the seat. Darius was already seated inside.

He looked up from a folder of summit documents, took one look at her face, and shut it. "You look like you’re about to murder someone."

"Probably because I am."

"Which one of them pissed you off now?"

Emerald exhaled and leaned her head back against the seat. "Lucien."

Darius raised a brow. "Really?"

"He proposed something," she muttered. "Said I should spend time with each of them. A week in their packs. No distractions."

Darius blinked. "That’s... actually not the worst idea."

Emerald turned her head slowly. "Excuse me?"

"He’s not saying you abandon your duties. Just take a short leave, it might help."

"Help?" She scoffed. "And while I’m off frolicking in mate land, who’s going to run the pack? Do I look like someone who just gets to walk away from her throne and come back when she feels like it?"

"I’ll handle things," Darius said simply.

Emerald stared at him. "You’re serious?"

"You know I am. And you’re forgetting something, you’ve built enough trust in your leadership that a week or two away won’t undo that."

"I’m a female Alpha, Darius. I don’t get the same slack the others do. I have to prove myself twice as hard just to get half the respect. If I leave right now, just because of my mates, I’ll look like... like..."

"Like a woman figuring out her life?" he cut in gently. "Emerald, you’ve been carrying this world on your shoulders alone for weeks. If taking a few days for your personal life is what helps you stay standing, then that’s what you do. Because if you break, there’s no Alpha left to lead."

She swallowed hard.

He leaned forward. "Do you want love again?"

She didn’t answer.

Darius watched her a moment longer, then added, "What about The Rogue King?"

"Ares? What about him?" she asked, more sharply than intended.

"He’s not going away either. Is he?"

"No," she admitted. "He isn’t. I might just have to accept the fact that I have four mates."

Darius turned to her sharply. "Wait, what?"

Emerald met his stunned gaze. "He’s one of my mates."

Darius leaned back, visibly shaken. "I thought... I thought he just came to claim you as your father had promised."

"I felt the bond when he came to claim me," she said slowly. "According to him, he had sensed the bond long before the pact was even made."

Darius looked stunned.

"He didn’t need the pact. He just used it to speed things up."

Darius leaned back in his seat. "So he really is one of them."

"I guess so."

"I wonder where he is," Emerald muttered under her breath, gaze drifting to the darkening treeline beyond the road. Ares hadn’t been seen since she left him in her room. No note this time. No explanation.

She hated to admit it, but Lucien’s offer lingered louder in her thoughts now. There was too much she didn’t know... about Ares, about all of them, but especially Ares, the Rogue King.

If she gave more time to Ares, the others would accuse her of bias. But if she didn’t... would she ever truly understand him?

Just then, her phone buzzed. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should check it, but curiosity got the better of her.

When she unlocked her phone, a single message stared back at her from an unknown number.

Her stomach knotted with anxiety as she tapped to read it: "You may have survived, but I’ll collect what is owed to me in blood."

Her breath caught.

She didn’t even notice Darius leaning over until his voice cut in. "What’s that?"

Before she could react, his eyes had already skimmed the short message.

He read it aloud.

"’You may have survived, but I’ll collect what is owed to me in blood.’"