Nine Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 3

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

The throne room sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance, the throne itself resembling a dragon’s treasure trove, overflowing with a dazzling array of gems that reflected light in every conceivable hue. A dark-haired male reclined upon it, exuding an air of authority as if the entire universe was his to command. He lounged there, half-buried in the glittering wealth, his gaze languidly drifting toward the subordinate who knelt before him, clearly intimidated.

“What was that? Congratulations? On what exactly?” His voice dripped with a heavy indifference that filled the air like a thick fog.

The subordinate quaked under the weight of his presence, each word a struggle against the oppressive atmosphere. “Your Majesty, the Imperial Female Consort Pavilion has just sent word. You’ve been matched.”

Perfect! The male’s mind raced with thoughts. His Majesty had just taken a significant step forward, and the surge of mental energy was spiraling out of control. If a female could provide him with the mental comfort he desperately needed, perhaps it would stabilize him. Without that, the consequences could be catastrophic.

“A female?” The male’s slender fingers curled into fists, and with a swift, decisive motion, he crushed a rose-colored gem into a fine powder between his palms.

“I don’t need one.” His lip curled in disdain, his voice heavy with contempt. Females were nothing but distractions, obstacles that would hinder his ambition to unite the stars.

Sebastian Varun, the Grand Elder, stood rigidly at the periphery of the throne room, his heart racing like a drum in his chest. He forced himself to speak, his voice trembling but steady. “Your Majesty, I understand your reluctance to be tied to anyone. However, your mental power is faltering. A female could provide the stability you require.”

The male’s lazy, menacing gaze shifted to Sebastian, sending a chill racing down his spine. Cold sweat trickled down the back of his neck, and every instinct screamed at him to retreat into silence, but he knew that would be even more perilous.

Everyone within the palace walls understood the truth: their sovereign harbored a deep-seated loathing for females and detested the Beastmate System. Yet, the burden of possessing immense mental power came with a significant price—the higher the rank, the more unstable the mind. Without the balance a female could provide, even the mightiest male risked collapsing into a mindless beast.

Sebastian steeled himself. “Your Majesty, you don’t have to keep her indefinitely. There’s a three-month trial period. Allow her to stabilize your mind, and then you can dissolve the match.”

The male tilted his head, contemplating the suggestion. “You think she’ll just agree to that?”

Females are delicate, greedy creatures, he mused. Once she discovers my true identity, will she really be willing to let go?

A hint of a smile crept back onto Sebastian’s face as his confidence surged. “This one will, Your Majesty. Her name is Emma Tibarn, currently residing on F-268, Rank 4. She’s twenty-three years old, without family or wealth. She has exhausted all her resources just to level up. Offer her a sufficient amount of star coins, and she’ll gladly walk away.”

To the Drakonids, wealth held little significance. Star coins and treasures were as abundant as the air they breathed.

When the male did not voice any objections, Sebastian pressed on, “Your Majesty, your mental power has been slipping for weeks. If you permit it, I’ll make arrangements immediately. We should head to F-268 at once.”

They could not simply abduct the girl. Females were revered as the Beast God’s chosen—untouchable. To seize one by force would invite divine retribution, ranging from the loss of power to death itself. Even a matched female could not be coerced into the palace against her will. They would have to navigate this situation with care… at least for now.

If negotiations failed, that would be a different story.

—

On the Central Planet, within the opulent confines of Nexus Prime Tech, the Starrift stood as a testament to wealth and power. On the top floor, a white-haired male stretched his arms wide, reveling in the sight of beast cores piled high in glimmering mounds. His eyes sparkled with pride as he surveyed the floors adorned with tiles made of pure star coins.

“Ahh.” Damian sighed, intoxicated by the scent of riches.

Suddenly, a sharp tone erupted from his lightcore, shattering the moment of bliss. He glanced down, annoyance flickering across his face.

“Matched? With a female?” His laughter echoed through the room, a sound tinged with disbelief. D*mn it, the Beast God has a twisted sense of humor. Do they really think I’ll allow some woman to siphon my wealth? Over my dead body.

He strode purposefully out of the room, summoning his assistant. “Find this Emma Tibarn, Ryan.”

The Beastmate System may impose restrictions on information, but such limitations meant nothing to the wealthiest male in the interstellar realm.

Just five minutes later, Ryan returned, a hint of apprehension in his voice. “Mr. Voss, I located her. Rank 4, residing on F-268.”

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