Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 91: Threat or Warning???

Chapter 91: Threat or Warning???

"M-my apologies, Luna," came the maid’s nervous voice from behind the door. "But... Lady Emerald is here. She says she must speak with Alpha Rick. It’s urgent."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, as if a spell had been cast, momentarily freezing time. Alia exchanged glances with Rick, the anger in her eyes reflecting the turmoil she was feeling inside.

"What do you mean Emerald is here?" Alia’s voice cracked as she finally broke the silence.

The maid flinched. "She’s waiting in the study for Alpha Rick."

"Tell her to leave!" Alia snapped, turning to face Rick. "She’s not welcome he..." Her sentence hung in her throat as she saw that Rick was already up, grabbing his shirt and heading for the door

"Stay here," he said in a tight voice.

Alia’s mouth hung open for a second. "You’re not seriously going to meet her, are you?"

"I am." His voice was flat, resolved.

Alia’s face crumpled. "Rick, please—don’t leave me. Not for her. Not after everything."

He didn’t meet her eyes. "Just stay in here room. I’ll handle this."

"What could she possibly want?" she demanded, rising from the bed, her voice shrill with disbelief. "You’re going to just run off because she decided to show up uninvited?"

"She wouldn’t be here unless it was important," he said over his shoulder.

"Don’t you dare walk out on me, Rick..."

"Relax, Alia. I’m sure it’s just pack business."

"Oh, spare me," she spat, grabbing a candlestick from the dresser and hurling it at the wall. It crashed loudly, shards clattering to the floor. "You said her name while I was on my knees for you. And now you’re running to her?"

"I’m not running anywhere." He adjusted his collar with lazy fingers. "I’m handling an issue. And from the sound of things, it must be urgent for her to be here at this time."

"Tell them to send her away!" she screamed, pointing toward the door. "Tell her you’re busy. With me."

Rick just ignored her and walked towards the door, but Alia followed, fists clenched, fury boiling under her skin. "You can’t leave me like this! Not again!"

He didn’t even flinch as he opened the door. "I’ll be back."

Then he was gone.

Alia’s hands trembled at her sides. "That bitch," she hissed, eyes darting around the room.

In anger, she grabbed the nearest vase and hurled it at the wall. It shattered into sharp pieces, glass sparkling like ice on the floor.

"Always her. It’s always her!"

She stormed across the room, kicking the edge of the chair out of her way before collapsing onto the bed, chest heaving with rage. Her fingers dug into the silk sheets like she wanted to rip them apart.

"She’s not taking him again," she whispered. "Not again."

—

Rick pushed the doors of his study open.

Emerald was already inside, standing with her back to him as she examined a painting on the wall, arms crossed.

Her scent still got to him, and he closed his eyes to savour it a bit. With a smile on his lips, he closed the door and walked in.

"You know," he drawled, smirking, "I’d say you’re braver than you look. Dropping into my territory, all alone. Unless... you missed me."

Emerald didn’t even blink. "Rick."

His smirk widened. "Let me guess. You’ve finally come to your senses and decided to ditch the other losers?"

She arched a brow. "Please. I’ve had better from someone who didn’t need constant praise to stay hard."

"Ouch," he said, laughing. "Still got that mouth on you, huh?"

"And you’re still as arrogant as ever," Emerald retorted.

He chuckled and took a seat behind the desk, gesturing casually. "Come on. Don’t play coy. You wouldn’t be here unless you wanted something."

"I am here," she said icily, "strictly on pack business."

Rick raised a brow. "And what kind of ’business’ brings the mighty Alpha Queen to my doorstep?"

"Question. Does the Razulli root grow in your territory?"

He poured himself a drink, swirling the amber liquid. "Let me get this straight. You left your territory, travelled all the way here for a plant?"

"Answer the question."

Rick leaned against the table. "Yes. It grows in the reserve near the northwest borders. Dangerous shit. Why?"

Emerald’s shoulders dropped slightly. "So it’s true."

He tilted his head. "What is?"

She stared at the wall behind him. "I thought this Chapter was closed, and would remain that way," she murmured to herself. "But clearly, it’s not."

Rick narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about, Emerald? Or is this just an excuse to see me again?"

She snapped. "You arrogant son of a... do you ever shut up and listen?!"

He blinked, caught off guard.

"If you’d stop stroking your ego for two seconds, you’d see that something’s happening in your pack. And it’s affecting mine."

Rick straightened slowly, the playful gleam gone from his eyes. "Be specific."

"I have reason to believe someone in your territory is working with an inside factor from my side. They’re trying to destabilise the Shadow Fang and overthrow me."

He folded his arms. "You think it’s me?"

She scoffed. "Please. You don’t have the sense to orchestrate a shoe sale, let alone a conspiracy."

His jaw clenched. "Careful, Emerald."

"Or what?" she snapped. "You’ll hit me again?"

Silence.

Rick’s hands curled into fists at his sides. "You think I’m that stupid?"

"I think your blind loyalty to Alia makes you dangerous," she said coldly. "She’s the prime suspect."

Rick’s smirk faded. "Alia?"

"Yes," she said coolly. "The poison isn’t common. The root doesn’t grow anywhere else. And your territory just so happens to brush against the zone it thrives in."

Rick tilted his head. "So what, this is all part of some little vendetta?"

"The fvck?!"

"That’s what I can see. This is just about your jealousy of her."

"No," Emerald said, stepping closer. "This is about survival. My people are bleeding because of her games. I came here to stop it before there’s a war."

Rick’s voice dropped. "You’ve always been dramatic. You don’t know for sure it’s her."

"She threatened me at the summit," Emerald hissed. "Twice. Told me I’d regret returning. And not two weeks later, one of my Elders is dead with a poison that grows on your land."

He stepped toward her, expression unreadable. "You’re stressed... paranoid. Seeing shadows where there aren’t any. Maybe you need to sit down. Breathe."

She watched him move closer... too close.

"Rick..."

His hand reached out, brushing her arm gently like she was some unhinged child.

And that was a mistake.

Before his fingers could tighten, Emerald grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back in a clean, ruthless motion, and slammed his hand down onto the polished table.

Rick let out a sharp hiss. "Fuck... Emerald!"

"You never learn," she growled in his ear. "You think just because you’ve got muscles and a title, you can tame everyone? Newsflash, Rick, I’m not that helpless little girl you stripped and humiliated in front of your entire pack."

He struggled, but her grip was brutal.

"I’ve moved on," she continued. "I’ve got my pack. My title. My strength. You think this little playroom of yours means anything to me? It doesn’t. But if your... what do I even call her? Wife? Mistress? Luna? Whatever. But if she keeps hurting my people and you keep ignoring it, I will burn this place to the ground."

Rick turned his head slightly, his breathing shallow.

"You done?"

She held him there for a beat longer, then released him with a shove.

Rick staggered back, flexing his wrist. "You broke skin."

"Be glad I didn’t break the bone."

His jaw worked as he rubbed his wrist. "If you think you can come in here and threaten me..."

"I didn’t threaten," she said, her voice deadly calm. "I warned."

Their eyes locked.

"You still see her as some grieving, fragile widow," Emerald said softly. "But she’s not. She’s a viper. She killed my Elder. I’m certain of it. The only question is whether you’re just another pawn or a willing participant."

Rick stared at her, jaw tight. "You’re wrong about her."

"No," she said. "You’re just in denial."

A long silence stretched between them. Finally, Rick exhaled. "You think I’m going to betray my Luna based on your gut feeling?"

"I think if you don’t do something, you’re going to have a war on your hands. And this time, no one’s coming to stop it. And if I find proof that either of you is involved... I won’t be merciful."