Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 100

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**
**Midnight at the Drakonid Estate**

Nestled in the eastern part of the city, the Drakonid Estate loomed large and imposing, a testament to the power and legacy of its inhabitants. The moon cast a silvery glow over the manicured gardens, and the night was thick with anticipation.

Edric stood before the grand gate, his heart pounding as he raised his hand to knock.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound echoed through the stillness, shattering the tranquility of the night. Almost immediately, a gruff voice barked from within, “Who is it, waking people at this hour? Are you insane?”

Edric swallowed hard, forcing himself to maintain a tone of respect and humility. He knew he was treading on delicate ground, seeking a favor from a Rank 10 Elder. “My name is Edric, I—”

Before he could articulate the rest of his introduction, the heavy gate creaked open, revealing a disheveled old man clad in pajamas, his hair a wild mess. Thero Smith, the second elder, stood there, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation.

“What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” Thero’s scowl deepened, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Edric. “You’d better have a good reason, or I’ll kill you.”

Edric couldn’t help but think that the old man had a temper like dynamite, ready to explode at any moment.

With sincerity in his voice, Edric responded, “I’m a suitor to Drake’s huntress, Emma Tibarn. I came—”

“You say you’re a suitor to Mr. Smith’s huntress?” Thero interrupted, his disbelief palpable as he studied Edric’s earnest face.

Edric nodded firmly, “Yes, that’s correct.”

In an instant, Thero’s demeanor shifted dramatically. The scowl melted away, replaced by a wide, welcoming grin that transformed his face. He clapped Edric on the shoulder with surprising warmth, as if they were old friends. “You should have said so earlier! We’re family. Why knock at the door? Just smash it down and come in next time!”

Edric stood there, momentarily speechless, trying to process the abrupt change in the elder’s attitude.

“Did Mr. Smith’s huntress send you? Is she missing him? He’s been busy at the Aquadome, but it’s fine—I can bring your huntress to him right now.”

Realizing that Thero seemed blissfully unaware of the true nature of Emma and Drake’s relationship, Edric felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. He scratched his nose, trying to find the right words. “Elder, it’s not like that. I came to ask for your help. I was wondering if—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Thero gave him another hearty pat on the back. “Help? We’re family—just say the word. I’ll get it done.”

Drake’s tension eased slightly at the news of Emma’s safety. The thought of anything happening to her sent a chill down his spine; she was his anchor, the only one who could provide him with solace amidst the chaos.

Leaning back in his ornate, jewel-encrusted chair, Drake’s voice returned to its familiar, languid tone. “Do as Edric suggests. Tell them if they refuse, there’s no point in their living.”

Such words, spoken by anyone else, might have been dismissed as mere bravado. But from Drake, they carried the weight of law. His reputation for brutality and clan destruction left no room for defiance; his enemies trembled at the mere mention of his name.

As dawn broke, Emma stirred awake to find Edric’s side of the bed empty, the sheets cool where he had lain. She dressed quickly, her mind racing with thoughts of their conversation. Just as she stepped outside, Edric returned, a bright smile illuminating his face.

“You’re up,” he greeted her, taking her hand with a warmth that sent a flutter through her chest. “Good—there’s something I need to tell you.”

He wasted no time, recounting his plan to confront the Violet Obsidian Clan, detailing how he had sought Jimmy’s help and secured Thero’s support. When he finished, he sank to one knee before her, his expression earnest and vulnerable.

“Emma, I’m sorry. I’m not yet Rank 10. I can’t confront them myself. I have to borrow other people’s strength to intimidate them, to ensure that the clan can’t produce new power in the near term. Please believe me—just give me a little time. Once I reach Rank 10, I will take care of them.”

“Why kill them?” Emma asked, tugging him upright with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Recycling the useless ones sounds better to me. Silas’ plan is good, but killing those two Rank 10s—wouldn’t that be wasteful?”