Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet-Chapter 148: Only The Beginning...

The final fires of the festival dimmed into ash as the pack grounds slowly emptied. Emerald stood at the centre of it all, offering her thanks to everyone: alphas, elders and those who came visiting for the festival.

The laughter, the songs, the performances... all of it had ended. But the tension hanging in the air between her and her mates still felt thick, like smoke.

"Thank you all for attending," Emerald said, dipping her head politely. "I know the last few days have been... eventful."

Kieran was the first to speak. His sharp blue eyes softened as he stepped closer. "Will you be okay alone?"

Emerald’s lips curved faintly. "What you really mean to ask me is if I’m still in heat."

Kieran’s ears turned slightly red. He scratched the back of his head with a sheepish laugh.

"No, I’m not," she continued in a low voice. "And yes... I appreciate your help."

Kieran chuckled awkwardly. "Anytime."

Next to him, Lucien cleared his throat, his silver eyes giving away nothing. He and Kieran shared a single long, tense glance before quickly turning away from each other and leaving without saying anything else.

Ares lingered, leaning against a column like he hadn’t moved for hours. Only when Kieran and Lucien were well out of sight did he push off, striding past Emerald with a quiet smirk. "Try not to miss me too much."

"Not a chance," she muttered.

But her chest tightened anyway as she watched him disappear into the distance.

When the courtyard was finally quiet again, a shadow popped up from the far side.

Nessa.

Her fiery curls bounced as she all but pounced on Emerald. "Spill... all the details. I don’t want you leaving any."

Emerald groaned. "There’s nothing to say."

"Nothing to say?" Nessa gasped dramatically. "Em, please. I saw them. Kieran. Lucien. Ares. In and out of your bedroom like it was a revolving door!"

Emerald slapped a hand over her cousin’s mouth, her face burning. "Will you shut up? You can also carry a microphone and speaker and announce to the entire pack estate."

Nessa pulled her hand away, grinning wickedly. "Oh, they already know. Trust me, the walls have ears."

Emerald sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You need to learn the concept of privacy and personal space."

"And you," Nessa teased, "need to learn how to deny nothing happened."

Emerald rolled her eyes. "Fine. It was... weird. Cringe. Definitely weird." She exhaled slowly, cheeks pinking. "But it didn’t feel wrong. Everything felt... natural. Especially with them."

Nessa blinked, then blushed herself. "Gods. Natural, huh? That’s the best endorsement I’ve ever heard." She leaned in, whispering with a grin. "So... would you be willing to lend me one of them?"

Emerald swatted her arm, laughing. "You’re incorrigible."

They dissolved into giggles, the tension easing just a little.

But then Nessa’s expression shifted, more serious now. "What about Adrien?"

The laughter drained from Emerald’s lips.

Nessa tilted her head gently. "I didn’t see him the whole time I was here. Darius didn’t know much either. And you..." Her voice softened. "You’ve been silent about him."

Emerald looked away, her smile brittle. "There’s nothing to say. He made a choice. He went back to his old mate."

Nessa’s eyes widened. "He did what?"

"It doesn’t bother me," Emerald said quickly, waving a dismissive hand. "I’m just annoyed it happened when I was supposed to be making time for him. Time he asked for." She rolled her eyes hard. "Whatever. He can go to hell for all I care."

Nessa’s brows pinched. "You don’t mean that."

Emerald’s throat tightened, but she didn’t answer.

Her cousin leaned closer, searching her face. "Em... are you sure he really meant it? That he just switched back like that?"

Emerald’s jaw tensed. "I saw enough."

"But think about it," Nessa pressed. "Everyone of them is obsessed with you. Even Ares, with his whole dark, aloof, mysterious act. They all orbit you like you’re their moon. Adrien too. It doesn’t add up."

Emerald’s gaze drifted, her chest tightening. Obsessed. That’s what it felt like sometimes... unnatural and overwhelming. But if it was true... if Adrien hadn’t just abandoned her...

She shook her head, pushing the thought away. "What could I do about it anyway?"

Nessa reached over, squeezing her hand. "More than you think."

Emerald didn’t respond.

—

As night approached, a different story was taking shape at the edges of Kieran’s pack territory.

Rick stood at the top of a ridge, watching his men spread out below like shadows. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting silver light on them.

His eyes narrowed at the pack’s outer markets, the stalls still glowing with faint lanterns. Merchants were closing down, and children were being ushered home. Everything felt... peaceful.

"Tonight," Rick said, his voice sounding low and deadly, "we strike."

Darren, his Beta, shifted uncomfortably at his side. "Alpha, if we go through with this..."

"Do you question me?" Rick growled.

Darren bowed his head immediately. "Never."

"Good." Rick’s eyes glittered. "They think they’re safe. They think Emerald’s protection makes them untouchable. But I’ll show them. I’ll show her."

His hand lifted, signalling.

The first arrows flew into the dark sky. Lanterns broke, and flames burst into life. Then came the screams.

Rick’s men swept into the markets, overturning carts, setting stalls ablaze. Wolves shifted and tore through the narrow streets, their howls blending with the cries of fleeing families.

Goods were looted, slaves were dragged away in chains, the symbol of Rick’s pack smeared on every wall and surface in blood and ash.

Rick stood at the ridge, arms folded, satisfaction washing over him like a tide. The fire reflected in his eyes, crackling, feeding the hunger inside him.

This wasn’t just about Rhiannon anymore.

This wasn’t just about vengeance.

It was an opportunity.

He could take them all, one by one, until nothing was left standing in her world but him.

Rick’s lips curved into a slow, cruel smile.

And as the night burned below, he whispered, "This is only the beginning."