Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 469

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Chapter 469: Calling in Backup**

Lucien stood resolutely beside Emma, his presence a steadfast barrier against Alaric’s penetrating gaze. The tension in the air was palpable as he subtly shifted to obscure her from view, his body language radiating calmness despite the storm brewing around them.

“We’ve always wanted to express our gratitude, but the opportunity never presented itself. Now that fate has brought us together today, why not share a meal?” Lucien’s voice was soothing, a gentle balm in the midst of uncertainty.

With a soft glance at Emma, he continued, “Emma, Calum, and Marcus went over there to grab some food. It’s odd they haven’t returned yet. I’ll keep Mr. Wynn company here; you should go see if you can find them.”

Lucien had noticed Calum and Marcus the moment they arrived, their figures cleverly concealed behind a nearby wall. He had chosen to feign ignorance of their presence, valuing the precious moments alone with Emma. But now, with Alaric’s eyes glued to Emma, he felt an urgent need to protect her from whatever intentions Alaric harbored. If he allowed Alaric to engage her in a private conversation, it would undoubtedly tilt the balance in Alaric’s favor.

Emma met Lucien’s gentle gaze, and a quiet understanding passed between them. She had assumed Lucien was unaware of their friends lurking about, fearing his reaction if he found out. Yet, it became clear that he had been fully aware of Calum and Marcus’s presence all along, simply choosing to bide his time.

With Alaric now in the mix, the stakes had risen. Lucien felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him, and the call for backup was no longer a choice but a necessity.

Emma felt a small chuckle rise within her, though she kept her expression neutral. She nodded at Lucien, her resolve firm. “Alright, I’ll go find them.”

In her heart, she thought Lucien was overreacting. Her feelings for Alaric were strictly rooted in gratitude for saving her life—nothing more. The last thing she needed was to complicate her already tangled relationships at home by adding another layer of emotional entanglement.

As she walked away, Alaric’s eyes flickered toward Lucien. Lucien, maintaining his composure, smiled at him warmly. “Mr. Wynn, please, take a seat.”

“Thanks,” Alaric replied, his smile easy and unguarded as he settled into the chair, an air of confidence surrounding him.

Meanwhile, Stella, observing from a distance, began to piece together the puzzle. It all made sense now. When she had previously invited her brother to hang out, he had declined, but upon learning about Emma, he had suddenly changed his mind.

So, he had come because of Emma. That realization sent a thrill through her. It seemed her brother harbored feelings for this girl.

She recalled the way Alaric had looked at Emma, a genuine smile lighting up his face—a sight she rarely saw at home. Yet, Emma’s demeanor toward him was merely polite, devoid of any warmth or affection. That was not how a woman acted if she had feelings for someone.

On the opposite side, Calum’s frustration was palpable as he vented to Marcus. “That fox Alaric should stick to his own territory. Why did he have to come here?”

“Just look at him,” Calum spat through clenched teeth. “His eyes are glued to Ms. Tibarn. And that smug smile of his is infuriating.”

Marcus, leaning against a nearby pillar, shared Calum’s discontent. “I saw him at Queen Amara’s birthday banquet once. Ms. Tibarn mentioned that he saved her during that event.”

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