Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 468

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

**Chapter 468: The Night Alaric Appeared**

“Lucien, could you please take out the meat we marinated earlier?” Emma requested, her gaze sweeping across the bustling room filled with laughter and chatter.

As she scanned the crowd, her eyes landed on Calum and Marcus huddled in a corner, their faces lit up with mischief.

With a playful smile, she quickly typed a message on her lightcore, her heart racing with excitement.

*Emma: Wait for me. I’ll find a chance to come over to you later!*

The moment her message pinged on their devices, both boys broke into broad grins, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

*That’s fantastic! We’ll finally be able to hug Ms. Tibarn later!*

“Emma! You finally made it!”

Stella Wynn, her new friend, dashed toward her, her mate trailing behind.

In her hands, she held a beautifully crafted food box, the aroma wafting through the air like a siren’s call.

“Emma, I prepared this dish myself. You simply must try it and let me know if it’s good!”

“Thank you so much, Stella!” Emma replied, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

With a sense of pride, she accepted the food box from Stella, her heart swelling with joy. She then handed over the treats she had baked for Stella, her smile wide.

“I made these cookies myself. I hope you like them!”

Stella’s hands trembled slightly as she took the cookies, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. “You’re the first female who’s ever given me a gift. Thank you, Emma. This means so much to me.”

Stella was undeniably beautiful, yet a long scar marred her otherwise flawless features, casting a shadow over her confidence.

Emma remembered the stories Stella had shared about the scar, the painful memories of an encounter with the Chitinid that had left its mark on her soul. Despite her efforts, from countless treatments to a pilgrimage to Beast God Mountain, nothing had managed to erase the evidence of that fateful day.

Their friendship had blossomed unexpectedly when Emma had ventured downstairs to borrow a lightcore. Stella had willingly lent her own, sensing Emma’s need, and in that moment, a bond had begun to form.

“If you enjoy them, I’ll be sure to bring you more next time,” Emma said, pulling Stella to sit beside her, the warmth of camaraderie enveloping them.

As they settled in, Emma retrieved the marinated meat Lucien had prepared that afternoon, and they began to grill it together, the sizzle resonating in the air.

“Stella, tonight, I’m treating you to barbecue,” Emma announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“It smells absolutely divine!” Stella exclaimed, inhaling deeply, her mouth watering in anticipation. “Emma, your food always smells amazing. I haven’t even eaten yet, and I’m already craving it!”

“I can’t take all the credit; my mate is the real chef here,” Emma said, her admiration for Lucien evident in her tone.

Lucien, seated beside her, couldn’t help but beam at her praise, his smile growing wider despite his attempts to remain composed.

“Wow, Emma, your mate is incredibly talented! He’s even better than my brother,” Stella remarked, her gaze drifting toward the fragrant barbecue with a hint of envy.

Stella’s brother was none other than Alaric.

The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. She hadn’t anticipated that her new friend would be the sister of the very person who had once saved her life. Fate had a peculiar way of intertwining their paths.

Alaric approached, his white garments pristine against the backdrop of the evening. He moved with a deliberate grace, exuding an aura of cool detachment, akin to a solitary flower blooming in the shadows.

“Alaric, why are you so late?” Stella asked, her voice tinged with concern as she noticed his leisurely pace. Without hesitation, she rushed toward him, grabbing his arm and pulling him closer.

“Let me introduce you,” she said, her excitement palpable. “Emma, this is my brother, Alaric.”

“Alaric, this is my friend. Her name is Emma,” she continued, her eyes sparkling with pride.

As the firelight flickered, it illuminated Alaric’s striking features. He turned his gaze toward Emma, his eyes lifting slightly, the corners sharp and piercing.

“Emma, long time no see,” he greeted, his voice smooth and deep, sending a shiver down her spine.

Caught off guard, Emma blinked in surprise for a moment before regaining her composure. She offered a polite smile, her heart racing.

“Mr. Wynn, long time no see,” she replied, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her.

“Alaric, you know Emma?” Stella inquired, glancing back and forth between her brother and her newfound friend, her innocent curiosity shining through.

“Yes, I know her,” Alaric confirmed, his gaze lingering on Emma as he spoke. A subtle smile played on his lips, hinting at a shared history.

“Emma mentioned to me once that you saved her years ago,” Lucien interjected, breaking the momentary silence, his tone casual yet filled with underlying significance.