Emerald stumbled back, her hand pressed against her chest, feeling all three bonds pulsing like wildfire through her veins.
Three. Three mate bonds.
Her head spun. Her breath came too fast.
"No," she muttered. "This... this isn’t possible."
The crowd erupted behind her. Murmurs rose like smoke.
"A second chance mate, is no news... But three? That’s impossible."
Emerald turned sharply toward Darius, eyes wide and searching. "I already had a mate," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "This isn’t... it can’t be."
Darius gave her a long look. There was something in his eyes, knowing, grim, and prepared. But he didn’t say a word. He simply nodded once and offered his hand.
"Come with me," he said.
She followed him. She had to. Because if she stood there one more second, she might shatter.
As she passed through the crowd, her eyes swept the room and caught Rick’s. He stood rooted to the spot, his face pale, fists clenched, his mouth slightly parted, as he stared at her like a man watching his kingdom burn.
But it wasn’t desire in his gaze.
It was something darker.
And for the first time that evening... Emerald felt fear crawl up her spine.
"He doesn’t own you anymore," Viola growled in her head. "He never did."
The moment they reached her chambers, Emerald collapsed onto a chair, her mind still spiralling.
Darius stood by the window, arms folded. Nessa paced like a caged wolf.
"So... three mates," Nessa said finally. "Three. The Moon Goddess must’ve been drunk."
Emerald said nothing.
"Dad, is that even possible?" Nessa turned to Darius. "I mean, I’ve heard of second-chance mates but never three. Isn’t one supposed to cancel the other out?"
Darius frowned. "It shouldn’t be possible, no. But then again... Emerald isn’t just any wolf."
"What does that even mean?" Emerald muttered, eyes locked on the floor. "Why me? What’s the Goddess playing at?"
"The bond," Nessa said, walking closer. "You felt it, didn’t you?"
Emerald closed her eyes, jaw tight. "Yes."
Nessa crouched down next to her. "All three?"
"I don’t understand," Emerald whispered. "This was supposed to be my coronation. My moment. My rise. And instead..." She laughed bitterly. "I get claimed like a prize in front of the entire realm."
"You’re not a prize," Darius said firmly. "You’re a Queen. No matter who the Moon ties you to."
Emerald snapped her eyes toward him. "Then why do I feel like a pawn in a game I didn’t sign up for?"
"I’m done being used," she said. "First, Rick. Now this? Bonds I didn’t ask for? Again? I won’t let it happen."
Nessa touched her hand gently. "What are you going to do?"
Emerald stood slowly, brushing past them. "Think."
Darius arched a brow. "Emerald, I..."
"Leave," she cur him off. Her voice was calm, but the steel beneath it made both of them flinch. "I need to be alone."
Nessa and Darius exchanged a look, but they obeyed.
The door shut quietly behind them.
Emerald stood still for a beat longer, then slowly sat on the edge of her bed. She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a long, shaky breath.
"Three mates," she whispered. "Three Alpha mates."
Her hands trembled, not from fear, but from fury. "I am going to rule. And I refuse to be claimed again by any man. I refuse to be used again."
But as she leaned back, her lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.
"Then again..." she murmured, "...maybe this time, I’ll be the one who uses them."
Viola stirred. "They’re still your mates. You can’t fight the bond forever."
"Maybe," Emerald replied aloud. "But I can control the game."
She folded her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling.
And they would kneel.
The next morning arrived with golden sunlight spilling through her windows, the calm before the next inevitable storm.
Emerald had barely finished getting dressed when a soft knock came at the door.
"My lady," one of the younger maids said, poking her head in. "You have... guests. Or rather, a situation."
Emerald raised an eyebrow. "Define ’situation’."
"They’re arguing. Loudly. In the entry hall. Beta Darius is with them."
Emerald sighed, brushing down the smooth black silk of her dress. Today, the corset was trimmed in dark gold. Her hair was braided into a crown across the top of her head, the rest falling in a sleek wave down her back.
She looked like a monarch.
She felt like a storm.
"I’ll handle it," she said, stepping out into the corridor.
As she descended the staircase, voices rose to meet her.
"She’s mine, Vale. I felt the bond first!" Kieran snapped.
"Do you want a trophy or a medal?" Adrien replied lazily. "She’s not a race."
"She’s not yours, either," Lucian added quietly. "And the fact that either of you think she can be possessed is the reason she’ll likely reject all of us."
Darius pinched the bridge of his nose, looking ten years older than he did yesterday. "I swear to the Goddess," he muttered, "if I hear the word ’mate’ one more time—"
The room went silent the moment Emerald stepped in.
All three Alphas turned toward her in unison.
The arguing ceased abruptly.
Emerald paused on the last step, letting the silence stretch, then smiled.
"Gentlemen," she said smoothly. "I’m glad you’re here." Her voice dripped with authority, confidence coiling around every syllable like silk over steel.
"Sit," she said, gesturing to the long oak table behind her. "We have much to discuss."
At first, no one moved... they were probably too stunned to.
But then, Lucian did. Adrien followed, flashing her a wink. Kieran hesitated, but one look from her had him obeying.
Darius raised a brow and stepped aside, eyes gleaming with something between pride and exasperation.
Emerald took her seat at the head of the table. "I’m not a Luna anymore..." she said to herself. "I’m not a pawn. I’m a queen. And it was time these kings learnt how this game was played."