Nine Hot Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 470

**Chapter 470: Sitting Together**

Calum’s gaze drifted toward Alaric, who stood at a distance, his posture radiating eagerness as if he were a coiled spring, ready to leap into action.

At that moment, both he and Marcus shared a singular focus: the desire to remain close to Emma. Yet, beneath the surface, there was an unmistakable undercurrent of rivalry brewing—a silent battle against the man who stood as a potential threat to their hopes.

Emma, feeling the weight of their stares, instinctively rubbed her forehead, a gesture of exasperation and helplessness. “You both need to stop overthinking this,” she said, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of frustration. “I don’t see Alaric in that way. He’s saved my life before, so it’s only right that you show him some respect.”

After all, he was her savior, the one who had pulled her back from the brink. She couldn’t bear the thought of making things difficult for him.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Tibarn,” Calum reassured her, raising his hands in a gesture of sincerity. “We know he saved you. We won’t cause him any trouble.”

Marcus mirrored Calum’s gesture, both of them appearing comically serious as if they were making an oath.

Emma, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, nodded in satisfaction and turned to lead them back toward the bonfire, where the warmth of the flames flickered invitingly against the night sky.

As they approached, Stella’s eyes lit up upon seeing Emma. She immediately sprang to her feet, offering her seat without a second thought. “Emma, my grilled meat is ready! Come, sit here with me,” she urged, her voice bright with enthusiasm.

The spot Stella had vacated was conveniently right next to Alaric, and Emma couldn’t help but notice the effort her friend was putting in for the sake of her brother.

Before Emma could even voice a polite refusal, Lucien interjected with a grin. “Emma, my grilled meat is ready too! You should come sit with me instead.”

Emma smiled at Stella, appreciating her gesture. “Stella, really, you don’t have to give up your seat. I’ll sit with Lucien.”

“I’ll sit next to Ms. Tibarn,” Calum declared, moving with surprising speed, claiming the spot to Emma’s left. Lucien settled on her right, creating a cozy little circle around her.

Marcus clicked his tongue in playful annoyance and plopped down beside Calum. His gaze flicked across the fire to Alaric, and for a moment, the air shifted.

“Mr. Wynn,” Marcus began, his tone shifting from his usual languid drawl to something more pointed, “your outfit looks quite nice tonight.”

Stella, oblivious to the underlying tension, nodded eagerly, genuinely believing Marcus was offering a compliment. “That’s right! My brother looks best in white!” she chimed in, her admiration for her sibling evident.

Little did she know, Marcus was weaving a different narrative.

Stella, who had been reveling in the thought of her brother finding someone special, suddenly recalled the implications of that rule. But it only applied to the young island lord, a title her brother had held for their sake.

Now that they were all grown and had found their own strong partners, she knew he had long wished to pass on that mantle. If her brother could truly be with Emma, she believed he would relinquish the title without a second thought.

Worry creased her brow as she considered the potential misunderstandings. Just as she prepared to clarify, Alaric interjected with a surprising revelation. “The rule you mentioned only applies to the young island lord. I ceased being the island lord of Starhaven as of last month.”

“Wait, you’re not the young island lord anymore?” Calum’s eyes widened in shock, his disbelief evident.

Stella, equally stunned, leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. “Alaric, when did that happen?”

She had been completely unaware of this significant change.

“Yesterday,” he replied simply, a hint of pride in his tone.

The revelation hung in the air, heavy with implications, as the group absorbed the news. Emma felt a strange mix of relief and curiosity, her mind racing with the possibilities that lay ahead.