Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 34

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 34: Unexpected Defenders**

To venture into the outer battlefield as a scavenger, one had to possess a minimum Rank of 7—or perhaps even higher. Emma, however, had yet to reach that coveted level.

She had often gazed at the illustrious records of Prince Louis and the Empire’s First Commander displayed on the Lightcore, their achievements gleaming like trophies in a museum. These figures were titans in her eyes, existing in a realm that felt impossibly distant from her own reality. As a result, Emma had never felt compelled to keep track of their exploits.

Pragmatism defined her approach. Rather than fixating on those who soared high above her, she dedicated herself to the hunt—tracking beasts, amassing star coins, and gradually improving her life, one small step at a time.

After walking for about an hour, Emma’s keen eyes caught sight of a vibrant cluster of red berries. They were reminiscent of blueberries in size but boasted a taste akin to strawberries—sweet, tangy, and utterly irresistible.

Yet, there was a catch: the branches and leaves were cloaked in sharp thorns that could numb the nerves with just a single prick, making the act of harvesting a perilous endeavor.

With a determined glint in her eye, Emma pulled out two pairs of gloves from her storage band and handed one pair to Damian. “Here, help me gather some of these,” she instructed, her tone practical yet inviting.

Damian, noticing the delight that danced in her eyes, accepted the gloves without a hint of hesitation. He slipped them on and began picking berries for her, his heart swelling with a sense of purpose.

“The thorns are poisonous,” Emma warned, her voice laced with concern. “One prick and your fingers will go numb. So, be careful.”

Damian’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Ms. Tibarn, if it’s for fruit you love, a few pricks are nothing to worry about.”

A warmth spread within him at the realization that Emma genuinely cared about his well-being.

Evie, observing from a distance, grimaced as Emma popped one of the tiny berries into her mouth. “Are you seriously eating those?” she asked, disbelief etched across her features. Normally, she wouldn’t even spare a glance at such minuscule fruit.

Laura, intrigued by the spectacle, edged closer. “Emma, these berries are tiny. How do you even eat them?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Emma glanced at the bright red fruit nestled in her container, a smile gracing her lips. “You can eat them as they are or turn them into jam. Mix them with water, spread them on bread—it’s delicious no matter how you prepare it.”

The mention of jam ignited a spark in Laura’s eyes. “You mean the one you shared with me last time?” she asked, her enthusiasm palpable.

Earlier that year, Emma had gifted Laura a jar of her homemade red jam, and it had left a lasting impression on her taste buds.

“Exactly, that’s the one,” Emma confirmed with a nod, her smile widening.

Laura’s face lit up with excitement. “Then I’m definitely grabbing some too! Can you show me how to make it when we get back?”

“Absolutely,” Emma replied without a moment’s hesitation, her eagerness evident.

As she watched Laura and her mate dive into the task, slipping on gloves and eagerly plucking berries, Damian felt a twinge of irritation. It annoyed him that Ms. Tibarn had discovered the berries first, and now they were barging in, taking what should have been a shared bounty.

Once everyone had finished gathering the berries, they resumed their journey eastward, the thrill of their small adventure still lingering in the air.

Laura chuckled and leaned toward Emma, her voice teasing. “Your suitor isn’t too shabby—he actually knows how to stand up for you.” She had overheard everything earlier, Damian’s tone clearly challenging her mate for snatching Emma’s berries.

Emma wouldn’t fret over something so trivial, and Laura knew she’d always be generous with good food anyway.

Yet, as Emma reflected on Damian’s unexpected defense of her, she felt a flicker of surprise. Ever since they had set out from home, he seemed to carry an air of protectiveness that was new and intriguing.

They continued eastward for several more hours, pausing intermittently to collect edible herbs that Emma and Damian spotted along the way.

By the time the clock struck two or three in the morning, they found a wide clearing and decided to rest briefly, fatigue settling in.

Emma retrieved two vials of red energy fluid from her supplies, handing one to Damian.

They couldn’t afford to linger for long; their mission was to locate a herd of beasts soon.

The energy fluid, while not the most pleasant tasting, would swiftly restore their stamina. Damian eyed the vials with a mix of resignation and determination, fully aware that they needed to keep moving forward.