Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 64: A Decision To Make...

Chapter 64: A Decision To Make...

The following morning, Emerald woke feeling like her skin didn’t quite fit.

Sleep had found her, but it had been shallow, filled with strange dreams of locked doors, suffocating walls, and the echo of fire crackling just outside her reach.

But it wasn’t the dreams that haunted her most; it was Talia’s words.

"If you’re smart... you’ll leave too."

Was she right?

Emerald sat on the edge of the bed, fingers curled tight around the soft fabric of her leggings.

Every part of her wanted to deny it. Wanted to believe Lucien wasn’t capable of everything she’d been told. That there was another side. That maybe, just maybe, there had been some noble reason behind it all.

But that voice was quieter now.

Because someone had tried to kill her... twice, and Lucien had done nothing. Even worse, he’d watched it happen. Then, he lied when she asked what was going on.

And now she had a decision to make.

"Enough," she muttered.

Without waiting a moment longer, she stood and strode out of her room. Her footsteps echoed sharply in the corridor, drawing the curious glances of passing servants. She ignored them all. There was only one place she needed to be.

Lucien’s wing.

She reached his door and, without knocking, pushed it open. "Lucien..."

She froze.

He was there, standing by the fireplace, the warm glow creating a cosy atmosphere around him. Dressed only in a towel hanging low around his waist, his upper body was bare and glistening with droplets of water from his recent shower.

The morning light streamed through the window, highlighting his tattoos: dark swirling patterns that slithered across his chest and down his toned arms.

When he caught sight of her, his eyes widened in shock, and the mate bond pulsed between them.

Emerald’s heart betrayed her, skipping a beat before catching fire.

A warmth began to rise in her stomach. It wasn’t anger this time; it was something different. Something that felt dangerous and exciting.

Emerald snapped her gaze away. "Get dressed," she said quickly, turning on her heel. "I’ll wait."

There was a pause. "Rough night?" he asked casually, the sound of cloth shifting behind her as he obeyed.

She didn’t answer.

She looked at the neatly arranged books on his shelf, all organised by height and colour, reflecting his meticulous and controlled nature.

"Okay," Lucien said quietly after a moment. "You can turn around."

She did.

He’d pulled on a dark shirt and buttoned it halfway, though a wet lock of hair still clung to his temple. He looked older somehow, sharper.

"What happened?" he asked.

Emerald didn’t hesitate; the warmth from just moments ago quickly evaporated into anger.

"I know," she said flatly.

He tilted his head slightly, his brow knitting in confusion. "Know what?"

"Don’t do that," she snapped. "Don’t pretend. I know the truth, Lucien."

He watched her quietly as if calculating how much she’d discovered.

Emerald took a step closer, her voice dipping low, but still sharp. "I know what you did to your father."

Lucien’s expression shifted, his eyes clouding over.

He hesitated for a moment, and his mouth seemed to move slightly, not in anger, but rather with seriousness. It felt like the calm just before a storm.

"Who told you?" he asked.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes," he said simply. "Because you shouldn’t have heard it from someone else."

Emerald stepped forward. "That’s the part you’re upset about? That I found out the truth... without your permission?"

Lucien exhaled slowly. "Emerald..."

She ignored him and went on. "You didn’t just overthrow him, did you? You killed him."

Lucien didn’t respond.

"Then you came here," Emerald continued, her voice rising. "To this pack. And you did the same thing. You slaughtered the ones who resisted. You shut the borders; you silenced your people."

"They needed order," Lucien said in a quiet, almost gentle voice. "They needed a future. I gave them one."

"At what cost?" she barked. "You think you saved them? They hate you. They fear you."

Lucien stepped forward. "Emerald..."

She stepped back immediately. "Stay away from me."

He froze.

"I almost died because of you," she said, shaking. "You brought me here. You knew people were angry. You knew someone might come after me, and you still let it happen."

"I didn’t know it would go that far."

"You knew enough," she spat. "And you said nothing."

Lucien moved closer again. "Please. Let me explain."

"I gave you every chance to explain," she hissed. "And you refused. You stood there and lied to me with your silence."

"It’s not as black and white as you think. The people here..."

"Don’t give me politics, Lucien. I’ve played that game, and I’ve bled from it. You brought me here to get away from chaos, and all you did was throw me into a worse one."

Lucien’s face cracked then, for just a moment, showing something that looked like guilt.

"I’m not your pawn," she said. "And I’m sure as hell, not your shield."

"I never meant for any of this..."

"You don’t get to say that," she cut in. "Not after you let your guards attack women and children in your name. Not after I was almost burned alive in your walls."

Lucien took a breath. "If you knew everything... if I could explain it all... you’d understand why I had to do it this way."

"Then explain it," she challenged.

There was silence for a few seconds, followed by an exhale and a: "I’m sorry."

"Sorry?" she scoffed. "You’re sorry now? After bringing me here to relive the same fear I was trying to escape?"

He flinched, but said nothing.

"You..." she pointed a finger at him, eyes blazing, "...were the one I thought was rational. The steady one. The one who didn’t play games. But you lied, Lucien. And you let me believe I was safe when I wasn’t."

"I never meant for you to be hurt," he said, taking a careful step toward her. "If you just let me explain..."

"Don’t come near me."

He stopped mid-step.

Lucien’s voice was low, strained. "Please, Emerald, just..."

"I don’t want to hear it," she cut in. "Not anymore."

He looked like he’d been struck.

"I’m leaving," she said in a final tone. "I’m going to pack my things and call my uncle to send a car."

Lucien’s fists clenched at his sides, but he didn’t speak at first. "And what then?" he finally asked. "You’ll tell the council?"

Emerald paused at the door, looking back. "I’ll do more than that. I’ll raise a motion to have you removed as Alpha for your tyranny."

Lucien’s eyes flickered. "Emerald..."

"You can kiss your title goodbye."

And with that, she opened the door and slammed it behind her.

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