Spoiled By My Nine Beast Husbands (Emma Tibarn) novel Chapter 77

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

**Chapter 77: The Truth Is Out**

Lucien’s thoughts churned in his mind like a tempest, each wave crashing against the shores of his consciousness. *I knew it! The moment that insufferable Edric started his charade of sweetness, I sensed there had to be a hidden agenda lurking beneath that charming façade!*

“Cheep–cheep!” he squawked internally, *Little female, I am not merely a bird!*

“Cheep–cheep…” he protested vehemently, *I am a therian!*

“Cheep–cheep!” he insisted, *Little female, you cannot accept this! It’s simply not an option!*

Edric’s gaze was immediately captivated by Coalball, whose enthusiasm radiated like sunlight breaking through clouds. A soft chuckle escaped him, and a genuine smile spread across his face as he delicately traced his fingers over the feathers Emma had painstakingly affixed to Coalball’s wing molds.

“Look, Emma!” he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. “Just look at how thrilled he is! He has been chirping with joy non-stop ever since I floated the idea of finding him a mate.”

But in a shocking turn of events, Coalball fell into an eerie silence, his joyful chirps abruptly snuffed out as if the mere suggestion of companionship had extinguished his spirit.

Yet Edric, undeterred, pressed on with his matchmaking ambitions. “Well, there’s no time like the present! I’ll start asking around right away. If fortune smiles upon us, Coalball could be bidding farewell to his singlehood by tomorrow!”

Before anyone could voice their concerns or objections, Edric had already reached for his lightcore, urgency radiating from him as he prepared to summon his subordinate.

“Cheep!” Coalball protested, *No!*

Emma’s eyes darted between Edric and the now frantic Coalball, who appeared utterly distraught.

She couldn’t quite decipher Coalball’s anxious chirps, but it was painfully evident that he vehemently opposed this matchmaking scheme. *What drives Edric’s eagerness to find Coalball a mate?* she pondered, her mind racing with possibilities.

Years spent in solitude had instilled in Emma a healthy wariness. She had learned to peer beyond the surface whenever something felt amiss. Even though she was acutely aware that Edric would never intentionally harm her, the memory of the unsettling incident when she had gone to change her clothes loomed large in her mind. *Could it be that Edric has caught onto my secret?*

He must have, she thought, but perhaps he hesitated to confront her directly.

*This roundabout way of testing me…* Emma sighed softly, a mix of frustration and concern bubbling within her.

When Edric finally concluded his call, Emma reached for the still-protesting Coalball, gently extricating him from Edric’s grasp. She spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper, “Edric, I really don’t think Coalball wants a mate. Let’s just drop it, alright? Honestly, I can’t even discern a therian’s gender by scent.”

“Emma, I—” Edric’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t anticipated her to be so astute, let alone to openly share her thoughts.

Caught off guard by her honesty, he looked flustered.

But Emma wasn’t finished yet. “You know, you could’ve just asked me. I didn’t bring it up because I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject. I wasn’t trying to keep it a secret.” She offered him a gentle smile, her fingers grazing his cheek in a soothing gesture.

“I’m sorry, Emma,” he blurted out, guilt washing over his features like a tide. “I didn’t mean to make you feel this way. My intentions weren’t rooted in suspicion. I just assumed you didn’t want to share, and I became so consumed by worry that you might be hurt or unwell. That’s why I hatched this ridiculous plan.”

It seemed he had given the matter considerable thought, yet he had underestimated Emma’s intelligence.

He nervously grasped her hand, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, “Emma, were you hurt? Is that why you can’t tell gender by scent?”

Emma shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. “I—”

But Edric, already sensing the weight of the moment, cut her off by shutting down both their lightcores and activating every shield and protection system within the cabin.

In a swift motion, he unceremoniously ushered Coalball and Corvin out of the room, leaving just the two of them in a cocoon of intimacy.

Emma’s muscles tensed involuntarily at Edric’s sudden reaction.

“Edric, I—”

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