Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 195

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley 195**

**Chapter 195: Guarding the Unconscious**

Marcus shot a fierce glare at Malrik, his expression twisted in a mix of irritation and revulsion.

Every single book he had ever read on the subject insisted that interactions like this were supposed to be enjoyable for both parties involved.

The inherited memories echoed this sentiment, reinforcing the idea that there should be joy in such moments.

Yet, as he cradled the small rabbit in his hands, Marcus felt nothing but confusion and discomfort. Am I doing this wrong?

Before he could even begin to untangle his thoughts, Malrik unexpectedly sank his teeth into the back of Marcus’s hand, letting out a high-pitched squeak. Ah! That stings! I bit Marcus, so why does my own hand feel like it’s been smashed with a hammer?

Help, Ms. Tibarn! There’s a creep here who won’t even spare a rabbit!

“Marcus, what on earth are you doing?”

Cotton Candy’s frantic, high-pitched cry sliced through the air, summoning Corvin to the scene. He rushed over and snatched the rabbit from Marcus’s grasp with a swift motion.

“Marcus, please don’t hurt Cotton Candy! That’s Emma’s pet! If anything happens to it, Emma is going to be absolutely furious!”

At the sight of Corvin, Malrik’s expression brightened as if he had just encountered a long-lost hero.

Corvin was the best!

Sure, he might be a bit slow on the uptake, but his calming presence worked wonders on even the most skittish of creatures.

With the rabbit now safely in Corvin’s hands and Marcus unable to follow the book’s instructions any longer, he sank back into the crystal coffin, feeling a wave of resignation wash over him. “I didn’t hurt it,” he muttered defensively to Corvin.

He had merely pinched the rabbit a couple of times, hardly enough to cause any real harm. Besides, the rabbit had been the one to bite him first!

Marcus extended his hand, showcasing the small bite marks left behind. “See? It bit me,” he insisted.

Corvin examined the clear puncture wounds with a frown, then gently tapped Malrik on the head. “Cotton Candy, you don’t get to bite people. Biting Marcus? He’s tough as leather—you won’t hurt him.

“But if you even think about biting Emma, I swear I’ll turn you into a pot roast. She mentioned something about spicy barbecue ribs a couple of days ago—apparently, they’re incredible.

“If you bite Emma, you’ll end up being our dinner.”

Malrik froze in shock. He hadn’t done anything wrong! It was Marcus who was the real creep here, taking advantage of him in such a vile way.

Has the Beast God lost his mind? How could Ms. Tibarn be paired with someone like Marcus—a man who displayed such depravity toward another male?

No way. I have to ensure Ms. Tibarn sees through his facade, sees the true darkness lurking beneath the surface.

After delivering his stern reprimand to Malrik, Corvin scooped him up in a comforting hug and set off to find Emma.

“Corvin.” Suddenly, Marcus sat up in the crystal coffin, halting Corvin in his tracks.

“What is it?” Corvin asked, curiosity piqued.

Marcus extended a hand, revealing a Rank 10 insect core. “Get me more books like the one from last night.”

Even if he could have, he wouldn’t have.

Drake wasn’t foolish; he wouldn’t risk injury for such a meager reward while draining his own resources. Only a fool would engage in such a reckless battle.

A sudden, inexplicable wave of sympathy for Drake washed over Corvin as he turned to leave, still clutching Cotton Candy in his arms.

Meanwhile, Emma and Aria had finished their breakfast, the remnants of their meal left behind as they gathered their thoughts.

With Edric still unconscious and it deemed unsafe to move him, they had come to a mutual decision: they would spend another two days in the forest, gathering herbs and unique fruits, returning only once Edric awoke.

Aria set off to find her three mates, eager to share the plan.

Corvin approached Emma, holding Cotton Candy gently in his arms, and presented the rabbit to her. “What’s the plan for today? Are we still hunting beasts?”

Emma lovingly stroked Cotton Candy’s soft fur, a smile brightening her face. “No beasts today. We’re picking fruits and herbs instead.”

“Then I’ll get everything ready right away,” Corvin replied, his enthusiasm evident as he began to pack up their campsite. He efficiently dismantled the camp, following Emma’s lead without a moment’s hesitation.

As he paused by Edric’s resting pod, a frown creased his brow. “But what about Edric?”

They couldn’t use the ship or the Gravicar in the dense forest, and his mech wouldn’t be able to carry him while he lay down. Packing up the pod with him inside was out of the question as well.

Emma walked over to check on Edric, her brow furrowing with concern. There was no way he was waking up today.

“Alright,” she finally said, her voice steady. “Let Edric sleep here. You and Marcus can decide which one of you will come with me to gather fruit, while the other stays behind to keep an eye on him.”