Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet-Chapter 145: Never Enough...

Emerald woke to the weight of silence and the ache in her body.

Her lashes fluttered open slowly, the faint afternoon light slanting across the curtains. Every muscle screamed when she shifted, but the soreness between her thighs was the worst. It was raw, stretched, and throbbing with the memory of what had happened.

She winced as she drew her knees together, the faint stickiness on her skin reminding her of the morning activities.

A shudder ran through her, not of shame, but of overwhelming, bone-deep exhaustion mixed with bliss.

For the first time in days, the feverish burn of her heat wasn’t clawing her alive. It was quiet, slightly manageable.

She exhaled shakily. Thank the Goddess.

But Viola’s voice purred inside her mind. "Grateful now, are we?"

Emerald groaned, dragging the blanket tighter around her. "Don’t start."

"Oh, but I will. You should be thanking me. I released those pheromones at just the right moment. Otherwise, neither Lucien nor Kieran would’ve given in so easily."

"You think I wanted that?" Emerald muttered aloud, her voice rasping. "Gods, Viola, we had both of them. Both... at the same time." Her face heated, hands clutching the sheets. "How am I supposed to look them in the eye now?"

Her wolf only laughed, a low, sultry sound that prickled heat through her chest. "You’ll manage. You always do."

Emerald squeezed her eyes shut. "Since when did Lucien and Kieran even tolerate being in the same room, let alone... sharing me?"

"Since you, little wolf. You’re the thread tying them together, whether you like it or not."

Emerald groaned louder and buried her face into the pillow. "Perfect. Just perfect. I’ll die of embarrassment before dinner."

"You didn’t seem embarrassed hours ago," Viola teased.

Her cheeks flamed hotter. "Shut. Up."

Dragging herself upright, Emerald staggered to the bathroom. Each step she took was a reminder of just how thoroughly her body had been claimed.

She filled the tub and sank in with a sigh, the warm water easing some of the ache.

She spent a long time in the bath, lost in her thoughts. When she finally got out, the dusky light had turned the room to a warm gold.

Emerald rummaged through her wardrobe, her fingers dancing across the array of clothes before finally settling on a simple yet elegant gown.

She slipped it on, the soft fabric draping effortlessly across her frame.

Next, she turned her attention to her makeup, opting for a light, natural look that enhanced her features without overpowering them.

With her outfit and makeup complete, she made her way to the door,

—

Emerald stepped into the corridor cautiously, almost relieved when she saw no sign of Kieran, Lucien, or Ares. "Good," she muttered, brushing a hand through still-damp hair. "Maybe I’ll get through the rest of today without another disaster."

She didn’t make it far before a familiar squeal broke the air. "Em!"

Emerald spun just as Nessa barreled down the hall, her fiery curls bouncing as she launched herself into Emerald’s arms. They collided with a laugh, and Emerald hugged her cousin tight.

"You’re back!" Emerald said, half laughing, half relieved.

Nessa pulled back, her green eyes sparkling. "Of course I’m back! The summit ended early. And gods, you don’t know how boring it was listening to a bunch of old wolves argue about land treaties. I’d rather be here with you."

Emerald grinned, warmth bubbling up despite her exhaustion. "I missed you, too."

Nessa smirked, tilting her head. "So... what mischief have you been up to while I’ve been gone? Don’t tell me you behaved."

Emerald’s smile faltered, heat creeping up her neck. "...Depends on what you consider mischief."

"Oh?" Nessa’s brows rose. "Spill."

Emerald sighed, pressing her palms over her face. "I’m in heat, Ness. That’s trouble enough."

Emerald groaned, covering her face. "I’m in heat, Ness. That’s trouble enough."

Her cousin froze for half a heartbeat... then squealed. "You’re joking!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Oh, this is glorious!" Nessa clapped her hands, bouncing on her toes. "That explains why you’re glowing. So? Who’s helping you through it? Don’t tell me no one, because you’d be dead by now. Plus, you look like someone who’s been thoroughly..."

Emerald winced. "Nessa..."

Her cousin gasped, scandalised delight flooding her face. "Not just one of them? Oh, Emmy, you bad little wolf!"

Emerald groaned louder, dragging her cousin toward the balcony just to hush her. "Keep your voice down! The whole estate doesn’t need to hear about it."

Nessa smirked wickedly. "Fine, fine. But you’re telling me everything later."

"We’ll see," Emerald muttered.

They settled into chairs, the cool evening breeze providing some kind of relief.

"So... what’s the latest since I left? You know I like to be at the forefront of everything going on around."

Emerald recounted the festival so far, the Queen’s court decision she’d made, and how tense everything had been. Nessa listened with rapt attention, interrupting only to tease or gasp dramatically.

"So you made a new Queen’s Court?" Nessa leaned in, eyes wide. "Em, that’s bold. That’s power. I’m so proud I could burst."

Emerald smiled faintly. "It was necessary. But Goddess, Ness... everything feels heavier now."

Her cousin reached over, squeezing her hand. "You’ll carry it. You always do."

—

The peace didn’t last.

The next morning, which is the third day of the festival, Emerald felt the heat stirring again. It wasn’t as brutal as before, but it was sharper, hungrier.

And Ares noticed.

He appeared at her door like a shadow, leaning against the frame. His smile was relaxed, but his eyes were intense.

"Well, well. My little wolf’s been busy." His gaze dipped to a heated, possessive look. "I can smell them on you. Both of them."

Emerald’s stomach dropped. "Ares..."

He pushed off the door, striding toward her with the easy prowl of a predator. "You think they can handle you better than me?"

"I didn’t..."

"You did," he cut her off, crowding into her space until her back hit the wall. His scent wrapped around her, intoxicating. "And now I’m going to remind you exactly who you belong to."

Emerald’s chest heaved, torn between dread and the dangerous thrill curling in her stomach. Viola purred, pleased. "Yes. Let him prove it."

She swallowed hard. "This isn’t a competition, Ares."

"Everything’s a competition." His thumb brushed her lip, his smirk turning feral. "And I don’t lose."

Her body betrayed her again, shivering under his touch, craving more even as her mind screamed at her to resist. The truth was undeniable: each day, her heat grew sharper. And each mate only made her crave the next.

"Not enough," her wolf whispered. "Never enough."

—

That night, far from Emerald’s pack, Adrien sat back against the cushioned seat of the chair in his room.

Seraphina knelt between his legs, her auburn hair spilling forward as her lips slid down his hard length. Adrien’s hands curled tight into the armrests, every muscle in his body taut as waves of pleasure raked through him.

"Fuck..." he groaned, head falling back, jaw clenched. Her tongue teased the sensitive underside of his cock, pulling ragged sounds from his chest.

She glanced up at him, her amber eyes glinting with mischief, lips wrapped around him as she took him deeper. Adrien’s chest was heaving, and sweat was starting to bead on his forehead.

Just then, something tugged inside him sharply in an undeniable manner. He felt heat, fire, pulsing through his veins like it was his own. It stole his breath, blurred his vision until all he could see was her. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Seraphina hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder, and the growl ripped free before he could stop it. His hand clenched in her hair, hips jerking up helplessly as the name tore from his lips: "E... Emerald!"