Trapped in Beast World: My Husbands Are All Animals! Novel

---- Chapter 102 Protecting Her Mate That was why their confidence suddenly wavered. Ardenia's voice shook with fury as she snapped, "Yeah, | know that. What | didn't expect was for you to turn on the one who saves you-and nearly kill my mate!" She roared the final words, her chest burning with pain and rage. Colin had almost crushed every bone in Calder's body. Justice wouldn't come from anyone else-she would take it herself. Colin curled his lips in a mocking sneer. "Mate?" he scoffed. "A pathetic male like that isn't worthy of you. Wake up, little female.

I'm a Level 10 horned-serpent therian, apex of the food chain-higher rank than the three standing behind you. Are you really going to provoke me over a piece of trash like him?" Anger boiled in him as well. She had smiled at him before, warm and gentle, and even dared to touch his horn. And now she was screaming at him because of some Level 7 nobody. "So are you happy now? I'll see how happy you look ina moment!" ---- The instant the words left his mouth, Ardenia activated her wood-based technique. Vines erupted without warning, bursting violently from within Colin's body.

Everyone froze in shock. Halden and the others stared, stunned. Quincy, who had rushed over mid-commotion, skidded to a halt, eyes wide. He hadn't known her wood-based ability could be used this way. It was terrifying-and strangely beautiful. Only then did Colin fully register what was happening. He stared at Ardenia in disbelief, pain, and wounded pride all flashing across his face. She spoke coldly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. "| know you're powerful. Go ahead-try to tear yourself free. My technique doesn't work like ordinary abilities.

Once | treat someone, traces stay behind. They root themselves inside. My vines aren't strong on the outside, but they can weave straight through your organs." A low, broken laugh rattled out of Colin. His eyes flooded with red as he glared at her, teeth grinding. He had only meant to intimidate her. Instead, she was staring ---- back with pure revulsion. "I'm not some fragile little female," Ardenia said tightly. "I have strength. And | have methods." She clenched her fist. The vines surged violently, rising like a tidal wave and engulfing Colin completely.

They tore through him, bursting from his flesh; several even forced their way out through his mouth and nose. The sight was gruesome enough to make onlookers shudder. Her voice dropped, cold and final. "We could have stayed out of each other's way. You shouldn't have laid a hand on him." By him, she meant Calder. "Ardenia..." Halden called, unease etched across his face. Vesper flashed to her side in an instant and lifted her into his arms. "Hey. Are you alright?" he asked softly. Controlling that many vines had drained her badly. Her complexion had gone pale, and her body trembled.

Seeing that only twisted something painfully in Vesper's chest. ---- She had pushed herself this far-for Calder. Crack! The sharp sound snapped everyone back to attention. With a furious snarl, Colin forced himself to move, muscles straining as he tore the vines off his body one by one. His fangs bared as he ripped free, blood spraying and staining the vines a dark red. It was the first time in his life that he had ever been wounded by a female. She had saved him... and injured him for another male. Blood sprayed everywhere, quickly staining the surrounding vines a deep red.

Ardenia raised her hand, ready to strike, but Halden moved first. Colin's eyes narrowed, and with lightning speed, he spun around and fled! His body screamed in protest, warning him that another exchange would be fatal. Pride or not, survival came first. He tore himself loose and fled without looking back. "D*mn worm," Niall muttered, clicking his tongue. "Fast runner, I'll give him that." ---- Ardenia frowned deeply. Thinking of Calder, she turned toward Vesper, her voice tight with panic. "Calder." "Yeah," Vesper replied at once. "Let's go find him." Even as he spoke, his brow creased.

Seeing that expression on her face made his chest ache. That serpent deserved to die for this. Calder was still unconscious, and the bones crushed by the serpent's coils weren't healing quickly. Merfolk could recover fast, but the damage inflicted by Colin was just too severe. Ardenia summoned her technique again, though this time it clearly cost her. Her steps wobbled, and she nearly collapsed. Halden caught her immediately. "Easy. Are you still holding up?" "I'm okay," she said weakly. "His bones are shattered badly. | can only use vines to support and bind him for now." She swallowed hard.

"Halden, do you think he'll die?" "No," he answered firmly. "Merfolk recover fast. You remember when you sat on his leg and broke it? He was fine a ---- few days later." He wasn't trying to tease her-only to distract her. She looked utterly worn out, and he didn't want her drowning in fear. It worked. Ardenia let out a shaky snort of laughter. She remembered that night. Calder had been tied up in a muddy pit, cursing her nonstop. She'd gotten annoyed and plopped down on him without thinking. She never realized she weighed that much- pretty sure she'd snapped his leg clean in two.

Once the vines finished securing Calder, Niall stepped forward, shifted into his beast form, and carefully lifted him. His movements were light and controlled; with him carrying, Calder wouldn't be jostled further. Ardenia's eyes were rimmed red. She had been forcing herself to hold it together this whole time, but once the other mates left the cave, her restraint finally crumbled. She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. She hadn't meant to cry. But her mind wouldn't stop replaying Calder's voice-Ardenia, it hurts so much.

---- And then, right after, the way he'd stubbornly tried to take it back when he saw her tears, insisting it didn't hurt at all. What an idiot merfolk...