Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet
Chapter 97: Take a Break...

Chapter 97: Take a Break...

One month.

It had been thirty long days since that night in Darius’s room, since they discovered the torn page and learned the truth about the Moonstone. But... nothing had happened.

No attacks, no threats, no chaos, nothing from Alia.

And Emerald hated it.

On the surface, everything seemed to be going well with her leadership. The pack was finally stable under her rule, and one by one, all the house of status had sworn their loyalty to her.

They had successfully eliminated the threat of spies, and peace had been restored.

But only on the surface.

Behind closed doors, Emerald was fraying.

She no longer flinched at shadows; now, she paid close attention to them. She no longer doubted her own choices, but she questioned everyone else’s, especially Rick’s.

Every time she pictured him following Alia around like a dog on a leash, it made her feel tense inside.

It’s almost like Alia was the one leading the pack, while Rick assists, even though the reverse is what everyone believes.

And Ares... He was always there: in her room, on her balcony, lingering in the corner of her night.

And tonight was no different.

"I could ask if you ever knock," she said without looking up.

Ares chuckled, a deep, enticing sound that sent a thrill through her. "You could," he said softly from behind her. "But I think we both know you don’t really want to."

Emerald stood by the window with her arms crossed, her silk nightgown hugging her body in the moonlight. "Rick is a fool," she muttered.

Ares tilted his head from the chaise he’d claimed. "Because of Alia?"

"Because of everything." She turned to face him. "It’s been over a month. A month, and she’s still playing him like a harp."

"And he lets her."

Emerald’s lip curled. "He deserves to be Alpha of the Blind."

Ares grinned. "Careful, now. Your jealousy is showing."

She shot him a look. "Jealousy?"

"You’re practically hissing at her name."

"Don’t flatter yourself. Or her."

"Just saying." He stepped closer, slowly, like a cat stalking its prey. "You’re watching their drama unfold a little too closely."

"I’m not jealous," she said firmly.

He stopped right in front of her. "No?"

She looked up, defiant. "No."

Ares’s eyes gleamed with mischief. "Then why do you always bring her up when I’m here?"

Emerald’s jaw tightened. "Maybe because I can’t talk about her with anyone else."

He took another step, lowering his voice. "Or maybe you like having me here when you’re thinking dark things."

She didn’t move.

"I’m just wondering," he murmured, now barely a breath away. "When did they even become a thing? Wasn’t she carrying his brother’s child not too long ago?"

Emerald’s voice was dry. "You’ve been keeping track."

"Only because you are." He reached out, brushing his fingers against the bare skin of her arm. "You talk about them a lot."

"I do not."

"You do. And you’ve also been giving in to it, haven’t you?" he murmured. "The darker side. The side that hungers."

"Ares..."

"You’re tired of pretending to be the righteous one. The perfect Alpha. You want to let go."

She didn’t deny it.

His hand rose, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Say it."

Emerald’s breath caught.

"Say you want me. Or better still, tell me you don’t want me."

She glared at him. "You’re infuriating."

He stepped closer. "You’re beautiful when you’re furious."

Emerald should’ve stopped it there. She should’ve pushed him away, thrown him out like she had a dozen times before.

But tonight... something in her cracked.

Maybe it was the silence or the build-up of tension. Alia hadn’t acted yet, and it was driving her wild.

Or maybe it was Ares... always there, always watching, but always just out of reach.

Her lips opened, and before she could say anything, he kissed her. It wasn’t gentle or hesitant; it was a kiss that left no room for thought and erased any doubts.

And like every other night it had happened, she kissed him back.

His hands slipped to her waist, pulling her closer, and she didn’t resist. Her fingers found his shirt, dragging it upward as his mouth trailed fire along her jaw.

It always started like this... desperate, angry, controlled. But tonight...

Tonight, it wasn’t controlled.

His hands were hungry on her skin, exploring in a rough and possessive manner, tracing the curve of her back and slipping lower. His lips found the shell of her ear, and he whispered things that made her feel weak in the knees.

"You taste like power," he breathed. "And I want all of it."

Her breath hitched. Viola howled within her, clawing at the edge of her control. She arched into him, lips parting, taking all the fire he was giving, and craving for more.

His lips got to her neck, sucking on his matebond mark and sending tingles through every vein of Emerald’s body. "I want to ruin every man who ever looked at you."

Her nails bit into his shoulder. "Ares..."

"I want to own every sound you make," he whispered. "Every look. Every shiver."

His hand slid under the hem of her shirt, reaching for her breasts, and her breath hitched.

Just then, a knock shattered the moment.

Emerald pulled back suddenly, her heart racing. Ares didn’t move, but the look on his face showed he was murderously annoyed and irritated.

Another knock followed.

"Alpha?" a soft voice called from the other side. "Forgive me for the interruption, but Beta Darius wishes to see you."

Emerald blinked, trying to gather her breath. "I... I’ll be there shortly."

"Of course, Alpha."

The footsteps retreated.

Emerald turned to face Ares, but he was gone. There was no sound, no trace of him, just a lingering silence and the feeling of heat in the air.

She stared at the spot where he’d stood, her lips still tingling from his kiss. She hated how much her wolf wanted him.

And worse... she hated how much she did, too.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. She still knew so little about him. He never stayed long enough for questions, never lingered when the moment passed.

But the longer this strange game went on, the more she found herself yearning to know.

Not just about his past or his title, but about him.

She slipped on her coat and made her way down the halls to the study. The estate was dark and silent at this hour, most of the staff already turned in. She paused at the door before knocking once and stepping inside.

Darius was bent over a large stack of papers when she came in. His study was dim, illuminated only by a lamp and the fire in the fireplace. The desk was messy, covered with maps, old scrolls, half-finished tea, and a few open books.

"You’re up late," Emerald said, stepping inside.

Darius didn’t look up. "I could say the same."

"I was asleep."

"No, you weren’t." He glanced at her finally; his eyes were tired, but still looked sharp. "You haven’t had much sleep in weeks."

She chewed her lower lip.

He straightened slowly, setting the papers aside. "Come. Sit."

Emerald crossed the room and settled into the chair across from him. "What’s this about?"

He gave her a look. "It’s about you."

"I’m fine."

"No, you’re not."

"I’m functioning."

"That’s not the same as being fine."

She sighed, leaning back. "What now? Another lecture?"

"Not exactly." He folded his hands together. "I want you to take a break."

Emerald blinked. "A break?"

"Yes. Go. Get away from the estate for a few days."

"Because that always works out so well," she said dryly.

"I’m serious."

"So am I. Last time I took a ’break’, we both know what happened."

"It’s been a full month. You’ve kept things together. The council respects you. The people listen. The traitors are either dead or detained."

"And the stone?"

"I still have people trying to track it," he admitted. "Every whisper. Every movement. But it’s been silent. No activity. No sign."

"So why ask me to leave?"

Darius smiled faintly. "Because you need to. You’re burning out, Emerald. And whether you want to admit it or not, it’s affecting you."

She looked away.

"I’ve already discussed it with Nessa," he added. "She agrees."

"Oh, great. A team-up."

He shrugged. "Someone has to make you rest. You don’t eat properly. You barely sleep. You’re in the war room every night with your maps like a general who forgot what peace looks like."

Emerald sighed. "So you’re trying to get rid of me."

"I’m trying to save you from yourself."

She looked at him for a long moment, then leaned back in her chair. "I’ll think about it."

Darius nodded. "Good."

She stood. "Anything else?"

"No. Go rest. Or don’t. Just... think about what I said."

Emerald quietly left the study, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floors. The halls were quiet at this time, except for the occasional guard walking through the west wing.

Her thoughts wandered back to her room.

A part of her was hoping she’d return and find Ares there again, sitting on the window ledge, arms crossed, with that damn smirk on his face.

Viola was becoming desperate for something more than the kisses he gave her daily. But when she opened the door...

Nothing.

The room was empty ans cold.

Her heart sank a little, but she pushed the feeling aside.

She glanced at her study desk and noticed the mess she had created: maps, letters, notes about council members and security layouts. There were also sketches of the Moonstone, with red circles drawn around some old names.

She’d lost herself somewhere in all this... in the obsession. And maybe... just maybe Darius and Nessa were right.

Emerald crossed the room, picked up her phone, and scrolled to a familiar number.

She hit call.

The line clicked, and a sleepy voice answered. "Mmm... Emerald?"

She smiled faintly. "Hello, Adrien."