Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 79: Truce???

Chapter 79: Truce???

"Are you ready?" Lucien asked in a low voice beside her.

Emerald glanced at him briefly as they walked side by side down the estate’s main steps, the morning sun barely warming the early chill in the air. Her hood was drawn low, shadows cast over her tired features. "Does it matter?"

Behind them, Talia stood tall, even though she was flanked by two guards and had wolfsbane chains around her wrists.

Her face was bruised, and her lip was split, but she held her head high. She looked defiant and proud, but there was something almost delusional about her strength.

Trailing her were a dozen others: elders, guards, former allies... all guilty, all silent.

They made their way toward the town square, where a crowd was already gathered.

Hundreds of pack members, families, warriors, merchants, and even children sat perched on shoulders, stood waiting in tense silence. Some looked afraid, others angry. All waited to hear what was going to happen.

Lucien stepped forward onto the platform. Emerald took her place slightly behind him, beside two of the remaining loyal guards. She watched as Talia and the others were led up in front of the crowd.

Lucien’s voice rang out across the square. "These are the ones who betrayed you."

A hush fell...not even the wind stirred.

"They conspired to overthrow this pack’s leadership. They manipulated, threatened, and murdered their way into power. And they nearly succeeded."

Whispers rippled across the crowd.

"They are responsible for the rogue attacks, for the attempt on my life... and for the attempt on the life of Alpha Emerald of the Western Shadow Fang Pack."

More murmurs and shocked gasps followed.

Lucien’s voice hardened. "But it doesn’t stop there."

He turned to face the people directly.

"For those who remember the time of forced servitude... our darker history... you should know: many of the council members who claimed ignorance were not only aware, they benefited from it."

Several people gasped aloud this time, the murmurs rising.

Lucien gestured toward one of the elders, who shrank under the attention. "They kept the old ways alive, quietly. Behind closed doors. But they were always there, waiting for a moment to bring it back."

Emerald kept her eyes on the crowd. She saw horror on some faces, disbelief on others. But the truth was there, like a wound reopened. The pack was bleeding again, but this time, maybe it could heal.

Lucien looked back at the traitors. "Do you deny it?"

Talia raised her head slowly. There was blood on her lip, and her voice was raw. "No."

Gasps again.

One of the elders next to her growled, "Talia—"

"Shut up," she snapped. Her pride was cracked and crumbling. "He’s right. We thought he didn’t deserve the seat. We thought fear would bring the people back in line."

"And the slavery?" Lucien asked.

She looked away.

Lucien turned back to the crowd. "You heard her."

The square was no longer silent. People murmured, debated, and cried. Emerald remained still, but her hands curled at her sides.

Talia had tried to erase her like she was a smudge on the wall. And now, after all that destruction, she stood there... quiet, head bowed. It didn’t feel like enough.

Lucien raised a hand, and the noise fell again. "According to our laws," he said, "crimes of treason and conspiracy warrant execution."

A sharp collective breath filled the square.

Emerald’s gaze snapped to him.

He let that silence hang for a long moment.

"But the old way is dead," Lucien continued. "Today... there will be no execution. We are not the pack we used to be."

The murmurs stopped again, this time in shock.

Lucien stood tall. "We are not ruled by blood and vengeance. We do not return fire with fire. We rise above it."

He looked at the traitors one last time.

"These traitors will be stripped of rank, pack status, and protection. They will be taken to the border and exiled. Should any of them return within one hundred feet of Midnight Fang territory, they are to be killed on sight."

The pack didn’t cheer or clap. But their quietness wasn’t from fear anymore; it was from relief.

Lucien had just proven something louder than violence... he had shown mercy.

He turned to the guards. "Escort them."

As the guards moved to escort the traitors away, Emerald let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding.

—

They rode back toward the estate after the crowd dispersed. Lucien lingered behind to speak with the people, exchanging quiet nods and reassurances. Emerald remained silent beside him as the gates shut behind them.

When they finally reached the inner hall, Lucien turned to her. "You’ve been quiet."

She shrugged. "Was just thinking... you surprised me today."

"How so?"

"You could’ve killed them."

He nodded. "I know."

"Why didn’t you? Execution is the standard for treason. Especially for everything they did."

Lucien met her gaze. "Because I learned something."

She raised a brow.

He continued, "I learned that a ruler who leads only with punishment will never be followed. They’ll only be feared."

She studied him for a beat.

"Learnt that from someone," he added. "Someone who told me that mercy doesn’t make you weak."

Emerald looked away, pretending the words didn’t hit harder than she expected.

"I didn’t do it for them," Lucien said. "I did it for the people watching. I had to show them that I wasn’t the monster they thought I was."

She nodded once. "It was the right call." She turned to leave, but he caught her wrist gently. "Emerald..."

She stopped.

Lucien stepped closer. "I know you’re still mad at me."

"I’m not mad," she lied.

"You are."

She turned to go, but he caught her wrist gently again.

"I didn’t do it for ego," he said. "I knew she wouldn’t take me to you. I knew if I bowed, she’d kill you anyway and make me watch. But I could still feel you... through the bond. It was faint, yeah. distant... but there. I knew you weren’t dead."

Emerald’s breath caught. "So you took a gamble on my life?"

"I took a chance on the connection between us," he corrected softly. "And deep down, I think you know I was right."

She went quiet, the tension loosening ever so slightly.

After a beat, Lucien offered a small smile. "Truce?"

She looked at his outstretched hand, then let out a sigh and a faint nod, "Truce."

They walked a few more steps in silence. "So... how did Ares find you?"

She exhaled. "He’s always around. Shows up when I least expect him to. Usually I hate it... But this time?" She hesitated. "Not so much."

Lucien’s jaw flexed, but he said nothing.

They walked in silence for a few more steps.

"You should get some rest," he said at last.

She gave him a curious look, but nodded. "Maybe."

He lingered. "Are you still leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes."

He swallowed. "I... had something planned. Just for tonight."

Emerald tilted her head. "Another assassination attempt?"

Lucien snorted softly. "No. Something a little less violent."

"Define ’less.’"

"You’ll see." He gave her a small smile. "Wear a dress."

She raised a brow. "You planning to charm me back into staying?"

"Would it work?" he asked, smirking.

She didn’t answer.

"I’ll come to your room at eight."

And then he walked away.