Claiming Emerald: Four Alphas At Her Feet-Chapter 147: Without Provocation???

Back at Rick’s pack, the atmosphere felt dark, despite the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Alia sat back in her chair, legs crossed, as she watched Rhiannon with a sharp, calculating gaze.

"We have to execute this plan perfectly," Alia said smoothly. "If we want Rick back completely on our side, and against Emerald, there can’t be a single crack."

Rhiannon snorted softly. "I swear, you’ve gotten more devious since I was gone."

Alia’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Maybe I just learned to stop playing nice."

They both laughed, but it sounded a bit forced.

Inside, Alia’s thoughts coiled like snakes. "I’ll rip away every last support she has. Piece by piece, until there’s nothing left standing."

Her mind drifted, lingering for a moment. "And it wasn’t so hard... some of them already bend without much effort." A shadow of a smirk tugged at her lips, though she said nothing more.

Suddenly, the loud sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"Rick," Rhiannon whispered quickly. She pressed her hands to her face and let out a choked sob, tears welling as though on command.

Alia rose smoothly, moving to her side, her hand rubbing Rhiannon’s back in a show of comfort.

The door swung open, and Rick walked in with a look of suspicion on his face. "What’s going on here?"

"Sit," Alia urged softly, gesturing to the chair across from them. "There’s something you need to hear. The real reason Rhiannon returned so abruptly."

Rick’s eyes narrowed, but he sat. His gaze slid to his sister, who trembled convincingly beside Alia.

"Tell me," he demanded.

Rhiannon’s voice broke into sobs as she began, "It was... it was horrible, Rick."

She sniffled loudly, hands twisting in her lap. "I was with Icarus’ pack, safe, or so I thought, until... until Kieran’s wolves came."

Rick’s face hardened instantly.

"They attacked without provocation," Rhiannon cried. "There was no warning, no reason. It was just blood, fire, screams. Icarus... he tried to fight, to protect us. But I... I only survived because he sent me away before it started. If he hadn’t..." Her voice cracked, the tears spilling faster. "I don’t know what would have happened... Maybe I’d be dead too."

Rick was still as his sister narrated her ordeal to him, but from the look on his face, he was barely holding it together.

When he couldn’t anymore, he jumped up from his chair and started pacing back and forth, like an animal trapped in a cage. "Kieran’s wolves dared to touch you?" His fists clenched. "They’ll pay. Every last one of them will pay."

"Rick," Alia said gently, seizing the moment. "You know Kieran isn’t just any Alpha. He’s Emerald’s mate."

Rick froze, turning toward her. His jaw worked furiously.

"You’re telling me," he said slowly in a low and dangerous voice, "that Emerald will side with him?"

"She’s already aligned herself," Alia pressed smoothly. "You think she’d turn against her own mate when it comes to you?"

Rick’s eyes blazed. "Then I’ll tear apart anyone who stands in my way. Emerald, Kieran, it doesn’t matter. No one hurts my sister and walks free."

Alia hid her smile, though satisfaction curled deep in her chest. Perfect.

Beside her, Rhiannon sniffled again, though a flicker of unease crossed her eyes. She couldn’t ignore how cleanly Alia steered Rick’s rage, how precise her manipulation was.

Later, when Rick stormed out of the room, still fuming, Rhiannon wiped the tears from her face and glared at Alia. "Give me the stone back."

Alia tilted her head innocently. "Stone? I don’t have anything to do with it."

"Don’t play with me," Rhiannon snapped. "You know damn well it’s not something to toy around with. I trusted you."

"You trusted me because you had no choice." Alia’s tone sharpened, though her expression stayed calm. "We both want the same results, don’t we? Rick, freed from Emerald’s shadow. Kieran destroyed. If you can’t handle the means, maybe you shouldn’t be here."

Rhiannon bit her lip, visibly unhappy, but after a tense moment, she dropped it with a huff. "Fine. But don’t forget, I’m not your sidekick, Alia."

Alia smiled thinly. "Not my sidekick... but not my equal, either."

Rhiannon turned away, feeling uneasy. "She wasn’t always like this," she thought. "Something’s shifted... something darker."

—

Rick’s boots pounded against the wooden floor as he made his way toward the training grounds. His Beta, Darren, intercepted him at the archway.

"Alpha," Darren greeted with a nod.

Rick’s jaw was tight. "Prep the men, now. We are going to war."

Darren blinked. "For what pack should I send the war message?"

"No message," Rick snapped. "Just ready them."

The Beta’s brow furrowed. "With respect, Alpha, that’s not how it works. There are rules. If we march into another pack’s territory without declaration, the council will have our heads. Other Alphas will rise against us."

Rick’s lip curled. "And did Kieran send a declaration before he pillaged Icarus’ lands? Before he left my sister broken?"

Darren hesitated.

"Exactly," Rick snarled. "He offered no reason. Neither will I. This is justice."

Seeing the fire in his Alpha’s eyes, Darren knew there was no room to argue. He bowed his head. "As you command."

Rick gave a curt nod and turned on his heel, storming back toward his chambers.

Inside, he slammed the door shut, his chest heaving with rage. He yanked his phone from his pocket, the screen lighting with a message from Emerald.

Emerald: Any updates about Alia on your end?

His teeth ground together. Without a second thought, he tossed the phone aside, letting it clatter against the desk.

He was done following orders, done following her stupid plan, done being treated like a pawn in her games.

"Emerald thinks she can leash me," he muttered to himself, pacing the room like a restless wolf. "She thinks her mates make her untouchable. We’ll see."

A cruel smile tugged at his mouth. "I’ll pick them off. One by one. And when they’re gone..." His eyes burned with fevered obsession. "...she’ll finally have no choice but to be mine."