"Morning, sunshine," Viola purred inside Emerald's head the moment her eyes blinked open. "Sleep well? Or were you too busy tossing and turning with thoughts of leather jackets, secret assassins, and hot Alpha dates?"
Emerald groaned, dragging a hand across her face. "Viola. Please."
"What? You've got a date with the firecracker today. Adrien, remember?"
"I have more important things to do," Emerald muttered aloud, swinging her legs out of bed.
The soft creak of Nessa's breathing from the other side of the bed reminded her she wasn't alone, so she tiptoed to the washroom, took a quick, cold bath, and dressed in something plain, just enough to function.
Her mind wasn't on Adrien; it was on the assassin. And more importantly… the one who helped him escape.
—
Less than an hour later, Emerald stood in her study, hair still damp from her bath earlier. Darius stood on one side of the large oak desk, arms crossed. Across from him, Gamma Rowan, head of her guard and military units, awaited instructions with a tense jaw and an even tenser stance.
"I don't care how many patrols we have out," Emerald said firmly, pacing the length of the room. "If we don't find him soon, he'll disappear. Or worse, someone will make sure he can't speak."
Rowan nodded. "We've swept the eastern woods and expanded out toward Frostmere Valley. So far, nothing. No scent. No prints."
"He's either dead, or someone's hiding him," Darius said grimly.
"We have to find that guy," Emerald said, stopping abruptly. "He's the only one that can tell us who hired him and why."
She knew it even as she said it: the chances were slim. The assassin wouldn't stay alive long if his employer had any sense.
Rowan glanced between them. "Shall I interrogate the council again? Subtle pressure?"
Emerald shook her head. "We'll play smarter than that. For now, focus on physical leads. And I want double patrols at night."
Rowan gave a nod. "Understood, Alpha."
She dismissed him with a wave, sighing the moment the door clicked shut.
Darius raised a brow. "And now?"
"We keep pushing," Emerald said, rubbing her temples.
Just then, a light knock sounded on the study doors.
A young maid entered, head bowed slightly. "Alpha… Alpha Adrien has arrived. He's waiting in the east lounge."
Emerald didn't even look up. "Tell him I'm busy."
The maid blinked. "Do you want me to send him away?"
Darius cut in before Emerald could answer. "No. Let him wait. We'll send for him soon."
The girl curtsied and slipped out quickly.
Emerald turned a frown on Darius. "What was that?"
"That was me doing what you refuse to do, giving you five damn minutes to breathe."
"I don't have time to…"
"Hey, hey, hey," Darius interrupted. "These dates? These meetings? You set them up, remember? And why? For strategy. For bond control. For leverage. You gave yourself a plan. So, stick to it and have a bit of fun while at it."
Emerald crossed her arms. "There's nothing fun about the dates."
"Then stop thinking of it as just fun," Darius replied. "Think of it as survival in disguise."
She hated how right he was.
With a long, weary sigh, she said. "Fine. Tell the maid to hold him for a bit."
Darius gave her a dry look. "Try not to glare at him the entire time."
—
Twenty minutes later, Emerald walked out of the estate. She was wearing jeans, a dark top, and a black leather jacket. Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, and she completed her look with a pair of combat boots.
She hadn't bothered dressing up.
To her surprise… or not, Adrien beamed the second he saw her.
"Well, well," he said, sauntering over. "I must say, I'm honoured. The leather jacket, the hair, and the combat boots are all striking. You've never looked more like a goddess and a threat at the same time."
Emerald raised a brow. "Sorry, I didn't dress for royalty."
Adrien took her hand and kissed the back of it, holding it just a beat longer than necessary. "Contrary to your belief, you're perfectly dressed for what I had planned."
She gave him a skeptical look. "Which is?"
"I heard about the escape." His voice lowered slightly. "And I figured… maybe what you need is a little escape of your own."
He turned, and she followed his line of sight.
A sleek black motorcycle stood parked just outside the gates. Adrien walked up to it, held up a second helmet and playfully raised his eyebrows.
Emerald blinked. "You're serious?"
"Of course. You need to clear your head and feel the wind again." He tossed the helmet to her.
She caught it, then held it up like it offended her. "I don't wear helmets."
Adrien grinned. "Didn't think you would. I brought it for decoration."
He swung onto the bike with casual ease. "Climb on, Alpha."
Emerald hesitated for one second, just one, then tossed the helmet aside and climbed on behind him.
"Hold on, tight."
"That won't be necessary," she replied, gripping the back bar.
Adrien smirked over his shoulder. "Okay."
Then he started the engine and popped the front tyre off the ground.
Emerald yelped, her balance slipping. Instinct took over, and her arms flew around him, locking tight.
"That's more like it," Adrien said smugly.
She muttered something dark into his back as they took off.
The ride was wild and fast, with the wind slamming into her face and roaring in her ears. But gods… it felt amazing. The freedom. The thrill. His scent, like wildflowers and wood smoke, filled her nose, and for the first time since last night, she let herself relax.
They rode along paths surrounded by trees and dirt trails until the scenery changed. Emerald noticed almost immediately.
The trees became sparse, and the air had a hint of salt.
And suddenly, in front of her, was the ocean.
A beautiful stretch of sand shimmered under the afternoon sun, with gentle waves rolling onto the shore.
Nearby, two stunning horses were waiting; one was a striking silvery-white, and the other a deep jet-black.
Emerald carefully got off her horse as Adrien turned off the engine.
"You brought horses to the beach?" she asked, blinking.
Adrien shrugged. "Thought it'd be fun. And something told me you used to ride."
She smiled faintly. "My father taught me, though I haven't in years."
"Well," Adrien said, already untying the reins of the black stallion, "let's see if the Alpha still remembers how to gallop."
Emerald raised a brow. "You're challenging me?"
"Wouldn't dream of underestimating you," he replied with a wink. "But I do want to win."
She walked to the white mare, stroking its nose gently before swinging into the saddle with practised ease.
Adrien watched her with open admiration. "Damn. I just fell in love all over again."
"That's not a surprise." She smirked, then asked. "Ready to get your ass handed to you?"