Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 84: A Name...

Chapter 84: A Name...

"Emerald!"

She turned to see Adrien jogging towards her. Even though he moved casually, the worry in his eyes was clear. His coat fluttered a bit in the breeze, and his reddish-gold hair was messy.

And despite the chaos of her day, he still looked like someone who had just walked out of a beautiful painting.

"Hey," he said, slightly breathless as he stopped in front of her. "I’ve been trying to reach you. Is everything okay?"

Emerald blinked, momentarily unsure how to start. "Yeah... no. Kind of."

He gave her a tilted smile. "That’s not a helpful answer."

"I know," she muttered. "I’m sorry."

"For ignoring me or for giving me half a sentence?"

"For... both." She looked away for a second, exhaling deeply. "Adrien, I... I wanted to say this in person. I’m not going forward with the arrangements."

He blinked, his smile faltering. "Oh."

"I’m sorry," she added quickly. "It’s not you. Really. It’s just... everything going on at the moment. My pack, the attack, Darius... It’s not the time."

"Attack?" he asked slowly, and to his credit, he didn’t look angry, just thoughtful. "You’ll have to enlighten me."

Emerald hesitated, then lowered her phone. "Walk with me?"

He nodded, and they walked down the garden path behind the council hall, surrounded by low hedges and winding vines. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows among the rose bushes, and for a moment, everything felt almost calm and peaceful.

Almost.

"Soo..." Adrien broke the silence.

"So..." Emerald went on to summarise all that had happened in her absence. "I wasn’t here when it happened," she said in a quiet voice. "They attacked while I was gone. Someone nearly killed Darius. The wards were down. Guards died. And I wasn’t here."

Adrien glanced at her. "You can’t blame yourself for that."

"Can’t I?" Her jaw tightened. "They were my people. This is my home. My duty. I should have sensed something was wrong; I should’ve been here. I thought I could step away, just for a while, and everything would hold."

"Still, Em... still, it’s not your fault."

She stopped walking, turning to face him. "But it’s my responsibility."

He watched her for a long moment. "Okay," he said softly. "Then let me help."

She blinked, caught off guard.

He smiled faintly. "If you’re staying here, if you’re hunting for whoever betrayed you, then let me help. I’m not just here to make you smile, or say something funny or annoying at times, or hold your hand when you’re in a mood. I’m your ally."

"You’re also supposed to be my mate... pending," she said dryly.

"Which makes me even more useful," he replied with a grin. "I’ve got reason to stick around."

Emerald stared at him. "Adrien, you don’t have to..."

"I want to," he said simply. "You said no to the arrangements. Fine. I can wait. But I’m still here. You can’t visit as planned, fine. But you don’t need to handle this alone."

She opened her mouth to respond when her phone buzzed.

Ares.

Her brows rose, and she answered immediately. "Yes?"

"I have a name," came his low voice. "Elder Quince."

Emerald didn’t hesitate. "I’m on it."

She hung up and turned to Adrien. "I need to go. Now."

"Then I’m coming with you."

—

Quince’s quarter was at the west wing of the estate... more isolated, more private. She didn’t bother knocking.

The door slammed open with one push of her boot, and inside, she found the old man hunched over a desk, scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment.

He looked up in shock.

"Alpha," he said, startled. "You..."

"Don’t bother." Emerald stepped into the room. "Put the pen down."

The letter wasn’t sealed yet. Emerald moved forward quickly, snatched the page from under his hand. The top was blank, no name, no address, but the message was damning.

"...I did my part. The pack is fractured, and she’s uncertain. We only need to strike once more."

Emerald’s blood turned to ice in just a second.

She turned toward the hallway. "Guards!"

They arrived seconds later, and Quince stood, puffing up his chest. "This is ridiculous..."

"Bind him," she ordered. "Take him to the cells and make sure no one enters till I come question him myself."

As they restrained him, Adrien stepped beside her. "You want me there?"

"No," Emerald said. "I’ll question him myself."

But Adrien raised a brow. "You sure? You’re too close to this. You’re angry."

"I’m always angry."

"That’s not the same as being clear-headed."

She glared at him... then sighed. "Fine. You help. But I’m leading the questions."

"Deal."

—

The dungeon smelled of stone and metal.

Quince sat bound in the middle of the cell, hands secured with wolfsbane-laced cuffs. He was quiet, his lips pressed together. Emerald leaned against the bars while Adrien paced a slow circle around him.

"Let’s make this simple," Emerald began. "Who were you writing to?"

Quince smiled without humour. "I don’t answer to you."

"Yes," Emerald said softly, "you do."

"I serve this pack, I don’t serve you."

Adrien crouched beside him. "You served someone when you wrote that letter. Who was it?"

Quince didn’t respond.

Adrien’s tone changed, sounding softer, friendlier and curious. "You know, I’ve read a lot of correspondence in my life. It always starts the same. Sometimes to ’Dear Alpha’... sometimes ’Dearest sister.’ But yours... yours didn’t even have a greeting. Why’s that?"

Quince’s eyes flicked to him. Just a glance.

Adrien smiled. "Because you know her well. You don’t need to use a title. It’s personal."

Emerald straightened. "Her?"

Adrien tilted his head. "He was writing to a woman. Look at his handwriting... It’s neat, measured. Men write like this to impress women."

"You know nothing," Quince spat.

"Oh, I know enough," Adrien said lightly. "You paused before sealing the letter because you were afraid. Not afraid of us, but afraid she might not get it. You still want her approval. Whoever she is."

Quince’s jaw tensed. He wanted to say something, but instead, he stuttered. "I... I... You’re w-wrong."

Emerald stepped forward. "Prove it. Who were you writing to?"

He looked at her, eyes hard. "You are not my Alpha. Not now. Not ever."

She stared at him, pulse drumming. "Then rot here. Guards, I want three outside this door at all times. If anyone enters without clearance, kill them first, ask later."

"Yes, Alpha."

Adrien and Emerald stepped out.

She stood in the hall, exhaling slowly.

Adrien leaned against the stone. "You okay?"

"No," she admitted. "But thank you."

He gave her a small smile. "Anytime. I meant what I said... you don’t have to do this alone."

She nodded. "Still... I needed that."

"I’ll check in on you later," he said, brushing a hand gently against her arm. "Text me if you need anything."

She watched him walk away before finally turning toward the stairs. Her chest felt lighter, but just barely.

She had one name, one suspect. It wasn’t everything... but it was a start.

—

That night, Emerald sat on her bed, rubbing her temples. The moon was high, casting pale light across her floor. She finally allowed herself to lie back, just for a moment of peace.

Then her phone buzzed, breaking the stillness. She felt a slight tremble in her fingers as she picked it up.

There was one new message, and to her surprise, it was from that same number. "The fvck???"