Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 438

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live**
**by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 438: The Weight of Regret**

Lucien sat in the dimly lit cockpit, a tightness coiling around his chest like a vice, each breath a painful reminder of the burden he carried. Regret gnawed at him, a relentless beast that clawed at his heart. He despised himself for his obstinacy; this was a catastrophe of his own design. Deep within, he recognized that he should have acted differently, should have foreseen the emotional fallout that would inevitably follow his choices.

‘Is Emma still crying? I…’

His fingers hovered above the screen, trembling with uncertainty, as he hesitated to complete the message. Just then, another notification from Silas broke through the silence, jolting him from his spiraling thoughts.

‘Emy was furious, but even in her anger, she couldn’t bring herself to break your beast marks or punish you. She bore all the pain and disappointment herself. Tell me, do you honestly believe you deserve her kindness?’

The realization struck him like a frigid wave crashing against the shore. Even in moments of seething rage, Emma’s thoughts remained tethered to them, her heart still open despite the hurt. Lucien’s eyes stung with unshed tears, and he felt the warmth spill over, a silent confession that landed on the cold metal of the control panel with an almost audible splatter.

Marcus, his long fingers dancing across the lightcore’s screen, was already typing with fervor. ‘It’s my fault—entirely my fault. Silas, please let Ms. Tibarn know that I recognize my mistake.’

From the moment Lucien had boarded the warship, a desperate longing to reach out to Emma had consumed him. He had called her, sent a barrage of messages, each one steeped in a plea for her forgiveness. But silence had been her only response—a deafening void that echoed his failures and left him feeling utterly alone.

‘What can I do to earn Ms. Tibarn’s forgiveness?’ he typed, urgency threading through every word like a lifeline.

Meanwhile, on the lead warship, Silas glanced at the flurry of messages from Marcus and Calum, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. At least they were beginning to grasp the enormity of their mistakes.

His pale fingers glided over the screen, crafting a reply with a measured calm. ‘I’d genuinely like to help you figure something out to win Emy back sooner. But honestly, you three have crossed a line this time. It’s going to take a lot for her to let this go.’

‘What are we supposed to do then?’ Lucien typed, his heart racing with tension and desperation, each keystroke a plea for clarity.

‘I told Emy that for now, you three should return to your clans. When you’ve truly reflected on what happened and understood where you went wrong, you can come back,’ Silas replied.

What? Return to our clans?

The three of them stared at the message, their hearts plummeting as despair washed over them like a cold tide, blurring their vision.

‘Is there any way to avoid going back?’ Marcus asked, dread seeping into his voice. The thought of returning to Frostveil was unbearable, especially when he knew his clan would not welcome him back with open arms.

‘I don’t have a clan,’ Calum chimed in, his tone flat and devoid of any hope.

Lucien remained silent, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He believed this punishment was aimed squarely at him—and perhaps, in some twisted way, he felt he deserved it.

‘Silas, isn’t there any way to calm Ms. Tibarn down faster so we don’t have to leave?’ Calum implored again, frustration evident in his voice. He had long since severed ties with the Argenclaw clan, and the notion of returning felt like a noose tightening around his neck.

Silas’s response was swift and unyielding. ‘Marshal, I suggest you heed my advice. If you don’t, you won’t just be making things difficult for me, but for Emy as well. She’s still angry and heartbroken. Seeing you now would only exacerbate her pain. Do you truly want to hurt her further?’

Corvin had learned to be craftier in recent days. He didn’t genuinely expect to take Silas’s place; he knew that would never happen. Being the primary mate wasn’t like swapping out a low-tier beast that could be easily replaced.

No, he was simply envious—and too bitter to sit with those feelings alone. Tagging Silas provided him the perfect excuse to initiate the conversation, to remind Lucien, Calum, and Marcus of what they had lost.

When Edric opened his lightcore and saw Corvin’s message in the group chat, understanding dawned on him immediately. His fingers flew over the screen as he tagged Silas too.

‘Corvin’s right. Being the primary mate has its perks—like spending the first three and last three days of every month with Emma…’

As the warship distanced itself from the heart of their turmoil, Lucien felt an overwhelming sense of loss wash over him. The realization that he had not only hurt Emma but had also jeopardized the fragile bonds of friendship with Marcus and Calum loomed heavily in his mind. Each heartbeat echoed with the weight of regret, a constant reminder of the choices he had made. He understood now that the path to redemption would not be easy; it required deep introspection and genuine remorse. The thought of returning to his clan was terrifying, yet he recognized it as a necessary step toward understanding the gravity of his actions and the pain he had inflicted on those he cared about.

In the silence that followed, a flicker of hope began to emerge within him. Perhaps this separation was not just a punishment but an opportunity—a chance to reflect, grow, and ultimately earn Emma’s forgiveness. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges, yet Lucien resolved to confront his demons and emerge stronger. He knew that the road to healing would be long, but with each passing moment, he felt a burgeoning determination to change, to be worthy of the kindness Emma had shown him even in her anger. As the warship sailed further away, Lucien understood that opening the door to the life he had been afraid to live meant embracing vulnerability, accountability, and the possibility of redemption.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

In the upcoming chapter of *When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live*, readers can expect a profound exploration of the emotional turmoil that Lucien, Marcus, and Calum face as they grapple with the consequences of their actions. The weight of their regret will not only haunt them but will also set the stage for pivotal moments of introspection and growth. As they return to their clans, the stark realities of their choices will force them to confront the pain they’ve caused, not just to Emma but to themselves. Will they find the courage to face their demons, or will the shadows of their past continue to dictate their futures?

Moreover, Silas’s unexpected manipulation of the situation hints at deeper layers of intrigue and complexity within the dynamics of their relationships. As he subtly orchestrates the unfolding drama, the question remains: what is his true intention? Will he emerge as a protector of Emma, or does he have his own motives at play? With tensions rising and alliances shifting, the next chapter promises to unravel more than just the emotional fallout; it will explore the intricate web of relationships that bind these characters together. Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating whether redemption is within reach or if the scars of betrayal will prove too deep to heal.