Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 282

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

**Chapter 282: Kill Her Out of Humiliation**

Kieran observed intently as Emma meticulously finished combing Drake’s hair. The gentle strokes of the brush seemed to lull Remy into a state of confusion. With a swift motion, Kieran typed a message into the group chat, his fingers dancing over the screen with urgency.

He sent, *”Ms. Tibarn is busy hiding Remy inside Drake’s hair.”*

Meanwhile, the innocent voice of Remy broke through the quiet, filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.

“Mommy, why are you hiding me?”

His voice, sweet and muffled by the strands of hair, tugged at Emma’s heartstrings.

“Shhh,” she whispered softly, her tone soothing. “Remy, your daddy has to take care of something important soon, and I don’t want any strangers to see you. What if some bad people notice how adorable my little Remy is and try to steal you away?”

Emma’s eyes sparkled with affection as she continued, “So please, for Mommy’s sake, be quiet and take a little nap in Daddy’s hair. Once the bad people are gone, I promise you can come right out.”

“Awoo!”

Remy let out what he deemed his fiercest roar, but to Emma, it sounded more like a playful squeak than a fearsome growl.

Her lips curled into a smile.

Sweetheart, you’re more of a fruit than a dragon. Is that really the sound you should be making?

Unaware of her inner musings, Remy puffed up with pride, his babyish voice declaring, “Mommy, I’m super tough! I’m not scared of bad guys at all. But if Mommy wants me to hide, I’ll do it. I’ll make sure nobody finds me.”

“You’re such a good boy, Remy!”

Emma felt a surge of warmth at his words, the urge to kiss him overwhelming her.

“Emma, I’m a good boy too.”

Drake’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, his expression pleading for recognition. The unspoken message hung in the air: Praise me.

Emma tightened her grip around the potion tucked safely in her pocket, her mind racing with thoughts. What if, once Drake returned to his true self and recalled everything he had done, the weight of humiliation drove him to madness? Would he lash out at her in a fit of rage?

“Emma?”

Drake’s voice broke through her thoughts, tinged with a nervous edge as he pressed for her attention.

Why isn’t she praising me? Haven’t I been good enough?

Finally, Emma met his gaze, her heart softening. She nodded, a reassuring smile breaking across her face.

“Yes, you’re being good too.”

After all, Drake was a man of honor. Surely, he wouldn’t go so far as to harm her out of embarrassment.

With a sense of determination, she handed Drake the potion Thero had entrusted to her. “Drake, drink this before you head out.”

As she placed it into his palm, she instinctively stepped back, creating a safe distance between them.

Drake noticed her sudden retreat, hurt flashing in his eyes.

Emma really doesn’t like me.

Emma nodded, mentally cataloging the information.

Ahead, Drake caught sight of Emma and Kieran trailing behind him, prompting him to quicken his pace.

As he reflected on everything he had done, every word he had spoken to Emma while under the influence of that potion, embarrassment washed over him like a tidal wave.

He had spoken to Emma so intimately, something he had unwittingly picked up from one of those ridiculous romance novels Corvin had sent him. With his mind in disarray, he had mistakenly believed himself a character in those stories.

Drake couldn’t bear to think about it, his gaze averted from Emma as shame flooded his cheeks.

Upon reaching the main hall, the sound of Theodore Mason’s arrogant voice echoed through the space, commanding attention.

“What’s the holdup, you Drakonids? Why hasn’t Drake shown his face yet?”

Thero, attempting to maintain order, responded, “Mr. Smith is currently occupied with an important matter. Please wait a moment; he will be here shortly.”

“What important matter?” Theodore snapped, his eyes narrowing as he glared at Thero, his tone dripping with menace. “Is it more important than seeing me? A Rank 11 powerhouse?”

“I heard Drake was badly injured in his fight with the Chitinids. Don’t tell me he’s still too wounded to show his face. Is he afraid to meet me?”

“If that’s the case, tell him not to bother coming out just to get himself killed.”

“Bullshit!” Thero’s patience, already stretched thin, finally snapped at Theodore’s taunts. “Theodore, don’t think you can run your mouth in our domain just because you’re Rank 11!”

Theodore laughed at Thero’s reddening face, arrogance radiating from him.

“Then bring him out. If Drake won’t show himself, we’ll do things my way. From now on, I, Theodore Mason, will call the shots in these three domains—yours, Aquadome, and Ashenfall. Every therian clan will hand over half the treasures they gather each year to me.”