Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 78: Impressed and... Disappointed...

Chapter 78: Impressed and... Disappointed...

Before Talia could reach the doorknob, it slammed inward with a deafening crash. The heavy wood struck her square in the face, sending her flying backwards with a pained yelp. She hit the floor hard, groaning, blood dripping from her nose.

Ares stepped through the doorway like he hadn’t just kicked it open with enough force to rattle the walls.

His eyes locked on Emerald, then drifted to Talia’s crumpled form on the floor. For a brief second, something unreadable passed between him and Emerald... like an unspoken understanding.

Ares saw it.

He saw the fury still burning in her; he saw the way her hands trembled, not from fear but restraint; he saw her darkness.

But he said nothing.

Instead, he stepped forward and bent to lift Talia like she weighed nothing. As he hoisted her over his shoulder, his fingers brushed blood from his jaw.

"This little thing?" Ares said, glancing at the unconscious woman. "She caused all this trouble?"

He exhaled slowly, almost amused. "I’m both impressed... and disappointed."

Emerald wiped the blood from her temple, nodding toward the door. "Let’s finish this."

They moved quickly through the hall, ducking past the same guards Ares had baited earlier. But this time, they didn’t run.

This time, Emerald walked with her head high, blood still smeared down the side of her face, and Ares followed her, silent and deadly, Talia limp in his arms.

They emerged into the courtyard, where guards and elders had begun to regroup. Some were issuing orders, others were whispering, clearly shaken from the recent disruption.

Then they saw Emerald step forward, and Ares dropped Talia’s body at her feet.

The silence was instant.

The traitorous elders stood frozen. Some of the guards took a step back, others exchanged looks.

Emerald raised her voice. "Your leader is under our captivity now."

She let her gaze sweep the gathered crowd. "You can either swear loyalty to Alpha Lucien now or perish with her."

Silence.

Then slowly... a few guards lowered their weapons. One elder fell to his knees, others followed suit, one by one, until not a single sword remained raised.

Emerald exhaled. "Good."

—

They took Talia to the dungeons.

The same cell Lucien had been thrown into hours earlier.

He was sitting on the cold stone bench, shirt torn, wrists chained, head bowed, but he looked up the moment he heard footsteps.

First came Emerald.

Then Ares.

And then... Talia.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed.

Surprise flickered through them, then something unreadable settled behind his gaze when he saw Ares.

Emerald said nothing as she knelt to unlock Lucien’s chains. Her fingers worked quickly, silently. The shackles clanked to the floor.

Lucien stood slowly, rubbing his wrists, gaze locked on her the entire time.

Emerald didn’t meet his eyes.

She turned, grabbed the wolfsbane cuffs, and fastened them around Talia’s wrists. The girl was beginning to stir, but not fast enough to fight back.

"I did my part," Emerald said coldly. "She’s yours now. It’s your job to put your pack in order."

Lucien stared at her. "Emerald... you okay?"

"I’m fine," she said quickly, cutting him off before he could finish. "You don’t have to worry."

Her tone was flat.

Lucien’s eyes searched her face, reading between the cracks. "What did she do to you?"

"She lost," Emerald replied simply.

Lucien opened his mouth again, but Emerald turned, only to find out that Ares was already gone.

Of course he was.

She didn’t even feel surprised.

She left the cell; Lucien followed her. "Emerald... wait."

She didn’t, just kept walking.

"Hey, can you stop? Just for a second?" His voice held urgency now. "Talk to me."

She finally stopped, halfway up the stairs, and turned slowly.

Her eyes were tired, bloodshot, and hollow. "Why?" she snapped. "Why do you care now?"

Lucien flinched like she’d slapped him.

"Talia left me to burn alive in some cabin in the woods. If Ares hadn’t found me, I’d be roasted barbecue... or worse, ash. She chained me, drugged me, and set the damn building on fire! And you... when given the option, you stood there and let her throw you in a cell."

Lucien’s face changed completely, and his body stiffened. "You were there," he said quietly. "You were there all along."

Emerald’s expression didn’t change.

She didn’t need to answer; her silence was loud enough. She turned and walked away.

—

Back in her room, Emerald pulled out her bags again.

She didn’t hesitate this time.

The dresses, the boots, her daggers... everything was tossed in a rush. There was no pause at the mirror, no longing glance at the bed. She was done.

Lucien had his pack.

He had his throne.

And now, he had his villain in chains.

He didn’t need her anymore.

She didn’t leave her room for the rest of the day. She heard the shuffle of guards outside, the sounds of orders being barked as cleanup began. The traitors were being rounded up, she guessed. Lucien would be busy.

Good.

She sat in the corner chair, staring at the wall, hands folded in her lap, when a breeze suddenly swept through the room.

The curtains fluttered, and when she looked toward the balcony... Ares was standing there, leaning against the railing, arms crossed.

"You don’t knock?" she muttered.

"Didn’t want to ruin the moment."

Emerald sighed, standing.

He watched her quietly before asking, "What happened back there?"

She blinked.

"In Talia’s room. What happened?"

Emerald’s voice was clipped. "She tried to escape."

Ares tilted his head. "You sure?"

She didn’t answer.

He took a step closer. His hand brushed gently against her cheek, brushing away a strand of hair. She flinched slightly but didn’t pull away.

"You’re not much different from me," he murmured.

"I’m nothing like you."

"You carry it too," he said, his eyes darkening. "The darkness. You don’t want to admit it, but I saw it. When you had her on the ground, you weren’t trying to stop her. You were trying to punish her."

Emerald’s breath hitched.

"You would’ve hurt her more," Ares added, stepping back, "if she hadn’t run."

She didn’t speak. Because deep down... she knew it was true.

He took another step back, still watching her. "It’s not weakness, Emerald. It’s survival. The sooner you accept that, the better."

"Leave me alone," she whispered.

He offered a faint smile. "You know I won’t."

She turned away.

"I should go," he said softly.

She turned to look up at him, mouth parting like she might say something. But instead, he smirked. "I’ll look forward to our time together, Emerald."

Then he stepped onto the balcony rail and jumped.

A few minutes later, a soft knock landed on her door. Lucien’s voice followed. "Emerald. It’s me."

She didn’t move.

"Can I come in?"

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice sounding louder than she expected.

There was a pause.

"I... wanted to say thank you... for everything."

There was no response, so he went on. "I’m calling a public trial... to set things straight. I want to restore the pack properly, and I want you there."

"I’m leaving," she said quietly.

Lucien’s breath hitched. "Please... don’t."

"I only did what I could." She said, staring at the door. "You don’t need me."

"I do," Lucien replied. "None of this would have been possible without you."

There was silence.

Then...

"Fine."

Lucien paused again. "Emerald..."

"Goodnight, Lucien," she said, turning toward the window.

The door stayed closed, but her mind replayed Ares’ words... You would’ve hurt her more.

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