Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 224

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 224: The Taste of Restraint**

It had been far too long since Laura and Emma had last seen each other. The weight of unsaid words and shared experiences hung in the air, and Laura felt a bubbling excitement to finally share everything that had been brewing within her.

In the sterile confines of the hospital ward, the two women engaged in a lively exchange, their voices weaving a tapestry of laughter and nostalgia.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across the horizon, Emma reluctantly prepared to leave.

“Laura, I promise I’ll come back soon to check on you and the little ones. I’ll bring something scrumptious for all of you,” Emma said, her eyes sparkling with sincerity.

“Okay,” Laura replied, her gaze lingering on Emma, filled with a mix of affection and longing. “You’d better make it a regular thing, alright?”

The thought of being confined to the hospital for another month felt like a slow, torturous crawl through time. Yet, the knowledge that Emma would be there to keep her company was a silver lining amidst the clouds of her confinement.

“Don’t worry,” Emma reassured her with a bright smile, “I’ll swing by whenever I can.”

With that, Emma stepped out of the ward, joined by Corvin and Marcus, as they made their way out of the hospital.

Once they were outside, Corvin, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, asked, “Emma, are Ms. Jones’ cubs cute? What tribe do they belong to?”

“Aetherwing,” Emma replied, a soft smile spreading across her face at the thought. “They’re so tiny—like little balls of fluff. I touched one, and honestly, it was softer than cotton. They’re just the most adorable little things.”

Corvin frowned, shaking his head in disapproval. “Aetherwing cubs are way too small. You could easily sit on one without even noticing. Our Ravaryn cubs are much better—bigger, fluffier, and even softer.”

Marcus nodded in agreement, his enthusiasm palpable. “Yeah, they’re way too small. They couldn’t even fill your teeth! Frostveil Wolf Clan cubs are incredible—pure white, and their cries sound fierce as hell.”

Emma blinked in disbelief, bemused by their banter.

Seriously? Do they even hear themselves right now?

“Enough!” she interjected, her tone firm. “Those are Laura’s cubs—show some respect.”

“Got it!” they both replied in unison, their expressions shifting to mock seriousness as they zipped their lips in exaggerated compliance.

Once they returned to the estate, Corvin hurried off to prepare dinner, eager to whip up something special for Emma.

With Silas and the others still absent, Emma decided to check in on Marcus first, hoping to provide him with some mental comfort.

Even though she had already stepped into his room once before, the prospect of entering again stirred a flutter of unease within her.

To her surprise, Marcus appeared completely at ease. He sauntered over to his bed, retrieving a delicate silver chain from the bedside drawer. He deftly looped it around his neck and clipped the other end to the headboard, a playful glint in his eyes.

Emma could only stare, a mix of intrigue and exasperation coursing through her.

This guy just keeps testing boundaries.

Suddenly, Marcus’s tail emerged, curling around her waist in a gentle embrace.

“Ms. Tibarn,” he murmured, his voice low and inviting, “can you kiss me again before we begin the comfort session?”

The memory of their last kiss lingered in the air, charged with an electric tension.

Emma recalled it vividly, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. “After I’m done,” she replied firmly.

She knew that if she gave in to the urge now, her focus on providing him with mental comfort would dissipate like mist in the morning sun.

He leaned back against the pillows, his collar slightly undone, revealing the clean, defined lines of his chest. Strands of silver-white hair cascaded across his skin, catching the light in a way that made Emma’s heart race.

Clearing her throat, Emma quickly averted her gaze, feeling flustered.

She unwrapped his tail from her waist, then opened the drawer once more, retrieving two additional silver chains. With swift movements, she fastened them around his wrists and clipped them to the headboard.

“Stay here and enjoy the feeling,” she instructed briskly. “I’m going to eat.”

Marcus stared at her, stunned, a flicker of realization dawning on him.

So Ms. Tibarn has a penchant for… restraint?

Emma exited his room, her cheeks still warm from their encounter.

As she descended the stairs, she found Corvin still busy in the kitchen, so she splashed cold water on her face, hoping to cool down her heated thoughts.

“Squeak-squeak!”

Just as she stepped out, Cotton Candy—whom she hadn’t seen all day—bounded toward her, a burst of energy and joy.

The little pink rabbit, adorned in the princess dress Silas had gifted her, complete with a tiny crystal crown, began to dance proudly before Emma, showcasing her newfound skills.

Emma couldn’t help but laugh, her heart swelling at the sight of such adorable exuberance.

“Cotton Candy, you learned to dance? Did Silas teach you?”

She scooped the delightful rabbit into her arms, her face lighting up with pure joy. Silas truly was a genius—he had somehow taught a rabbit how to dance.