Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 440

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 440: Hiding in Plain Sight**

Emma sat in the lounge, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic dance of uncertainty. The silence from Lucien gnawed at her, leaving her heart heavy with questions. What was he feeling? Guilt? Anger? Or was he simply paralyzed by fear, unable to confront the reality of their situation? Deep within her, she held onto the hope that if he had indeed seen her message, he would find his way back to her within five days—no more, no less. And when that moment finally arrived, she would make certain he understood the weight of her disappointment.

But the thought of reaching out to Calum and Marcus had not crossed her mind.

From Silas’s earlier revelations, she had learned that Calum had long since severed ties with his clan, choosing instead the life of a soldier. It was entirely possible he had returned to the army, perhaps checking in on Malrik before making his way back.

Marcus, however, was a different story altogether. She could almost envision him arriving at the manor ahead of her, finding the perfect hiding spot, and waiting patiently for the right moment to reveal himself—after she had settled in, of course.

“Emma!” Edric’s voice cut through her reverie like a warm breeze as he swung open the door to the lounge, stepping inside with a purposeful stride that radiated confidence.

“Are we at the manor?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze lifting to meet his with a flicker of hope.

“Almost there,” he replied, his nod infused with a warmth that made her heart flutter. “We’ll be home in just five minutes.”

He leaned closer, his arms framing her chair, his eyes softening as they locked onto hers. “Still feeling upset?”

Emma shook her head, a smile breaking through the storm of her earlier turmoil. “Not anymore.”

With a gentle gesture, Edric leaned down and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead, a sweet promise of comfort. “After the Celestara Gala, let’s return to the alliance. You’ve always dreamed of being a hunter, haven’t you? To travel the world and capture magnificent beasts? Once we’re back, I’ll hand over the reins to Silas; he can handle the operations while I follow you. We’ll take on missions together, hunt side by side—let you truly experience the life of a hunter.”

Emma felt warmth blossom within her at his words, igniting a spark of excitement. She knew he was trying to lift her spirits, but that didn’t diminish her joy. She smiled brightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Alright then. When the time comes, we’ll form our own little team—and we’ll bring Corvin and the others along for the ride.”

Edric chuckled, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “It’s a deal! You’ll be the captain of our team.”

Moments later, their warship touched down at the manor, descending gracefully toward the ground. In a secluded corner, hidden among the thick bushes, a white wolf—no bigger than a kitten—crouched low, its nervous gaze fixed on the ship as it landed.

As the warship came to a stop, Emma stepped down the ramp, her expression composed and inscrutable, betraying nothing of the tempest of emotions swirling within her. Marcus, still concealed in the foliage, held his breath, unwilling to make a sound. If he dared to step out and found her still in a foul mood, she might send him away—and he had no desire to leave her side.

Instead of heading straight for the villa, Emma paused, her eyes scanning the grounds with a keen awareness.

“What are you looking for, Emy?” Silas’s voice was soft as he followed her, concern lacing his tone.

“I have a feeling someone returned before us,” she whispered, leaning closer to him, her intuition guiding her. “But I can’t quite pinpoint where he’s hiding.”

Suppressing a laugh, Silas leaned in conspiratorially. “He’s tucked away in the eastern flowerbeds, probably too frightened to show his face. Want me to drag him out?”

He had already received word from the manor’s flora the moment they touched down, alerting him to the presence of the intruder.

“No,” she replied, her demeanor calm and collected. “Let him stay there.”

Silas chuckled softly. “We’ll send him something tomorrow. One missed meal won’t hurt him.”

Marcus still had nutrient fluid stashed away in his storage band; he wouldn’t go hungry. Besides, if they brought him food now, he would likely be too nervous to touch it.

Finally, when dinner was ready, Silas ascended the stairs to call Emma down. Just as he reached the door, Remy stirred on his shoulder, shifting restlessly.

“Awwooo… Awwooo…”

The soft howls were laced with sleepiness, still muddled by the remnants of slumber. Silas froze mid-step, hand resting on the doorknob, and quickly glanced at his shoulder.

Remy’s tiny form began to shimmer, enveloped in swirling waves of deep blue energy that sparkled like liquid light, coiling around him, thickening, and completely encasing his small frame.

As Emma settled into the comforting warmth of her home, she felt the tumult of her emotions begin to ease. The uncertainty that had clouded her mind slowly dissipated, replaced by a newfound sense of clarity. With Edric’s encouragement and the promise of adventure ahead, she realized that the life she had once feared was not only attainable but also filled with potential. The weight of disappointment she had anticipated regarding Lucien faded into the background, overshadowed by the excitement of forming her own team and embracing the role of a hunter. She was ready to step into her dreams, to explore the world and capture its wonders alongside those who truly understood her.

Meanwhile, Marcus remained hidden, a silent guardian in the shadows, tethered to Emma’s presence even from a distance. His choice to stay concealed reflected his own fears and insecurities, yet it also symbolized his unwavering commitment to her. As the evening unfolded with laughter and warmth in the villa, Emma’s heart swelled with hope, knowing that she was surrounded by those who cared for her. In this moment of calm, she felt a shift within herself—a readiness to confront the challenges ahead, to open the door to the life she had once been afraid to live, and to embrace the connections that would guide her through the uncertainties of the future.

In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect a deepening of the emotional currents that have been swirling around Emma, Lucien, and Marcus. With Lucien’s silence looming ominously over her, Emma must confront not only her feelings of disappointment but also the uncertainty of their relationship. Will Lucien finally break his silence and reveal the truth behind his absence? Or will he remain a ghost in her life, leaving her to grapple with the weight of unspoken words? As Emma prepares for the Celestara Gala, the tension between her aspirations and her heartache will reach a boiling point, compelling her to make choices that could alter the trajectory of her life forever.

Meanwhile, Marcus’s hidden presence adds another layer of intrigue. As he continues to observe Emma from the shadows, the question looms—how long can he sustain this delicate game of hide-and-seek without revealing himself? Will he muster the courage to step into the light and face her, or will he remain a mere spectator of her life, haunted by his own fears? As Emma embarks on her journey toward becoming a hunter, the stakes will rise, and Marcus’s decision to remain hidden might lead to unforeseen consequences. With the promise of adventure on the horizon, the chapter is poised to explore themes of vulnerability, bravery, and the complexities of love, leaving readers eager to discover what lies ahead for these intertwined fates.