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

---- Chapter 40 Concern "You don't like that | lost weight? Don't forget what | told you last night." Of course Vesper remembered. "Then | don't want it. | don't want you hurting your body just to look good." He turned his face away and set his jaw. He wanted her badly, but only if she stayed healthy. Ardenia laughed out loud, and warmth spread through her chest. Her mate clearly had more going for him than his looks. "Hey, I'm fine, Just like you guys, | only got that heavy because | was poisoned. Didn't you notice my skin tone looks better now?" Calling it better barely covered it.

She had been using her wood-based ability day and night. She slimmed down, her skin looked healthier, and her features slowly returned to normal. The lump on her face was gone, though faint scars remained. Of course, she could get rid of the scars in due time. She covered them for now with a blunt fringe that framed her face. It made her look better. ---- Vesper studied her from head to toe. Now that she said it, the change felt obvious. He didn't notice that before. Then one thing struck him as odd. Poisoned? "Wait. Are you saying Iris poisoned you?" His expression hardened.

If that was true, Iris deserved what was coming. Ardenia nodded. "I think it was her. | planted a seed on the witch doctor yesterday. No matter which one did it, neither of them will get away with it" She had slimmed down overnight. Iris, locked up without food or water, had somehow put on weight. Her mates noticed it too. Iris's face looked wrong in a way that made people uneasy. Ardenia leaned closer to calm him. "Don't get involved. | don't want any of you carrying blood for this." She always paid her debts. This one was hers to handle. She did not have to trouble her mates.

Vesper disagreed. He wanted her to lean on him more. "| hurt you before, Ardenia. | will do better from now on. If | ever mess ---- up again, crush my Beast Core and find someone who treats you right." The words felt familiar. Ardenia smiled anyway because at least they meant it. She felt relieved that none of them were cold-hearted. "Ifyou mess up again, | won't crush it. I'll lock you all in the basement with a collar, a glass of water, and one pill. You will beg, and | will not let you die." Vesper went stiff and stopped breathing fora moment.

The threat hung heavy in the air, sharp and thrilling. He liked her even more. "Then, start now. | want a private room." Vesper knelt on the bed and leaned his neck toward her. Ardenia did not hesitate. She had the perfect thing for that elegant neck. It was a black ceramic necklace she bought years ago. She loved it at first, then forgot it in a drawer. She also remembered a snake pendant and a carved fox head. Everything suddenly felt perfectly timed. She felt proud of herself for ---- some reason. A cool touch settled around Vesper's neck. He looked down, and his eyes lit up with pure joy.

"| get one too?" His voice carried a soft ache. "Of course. You gave me your beast core. You think about me, and | think about you." She said it calmly, though guilt pricked her chest. The one she gave cost much more. She shook her head to clear the thought. These gifts matched the person, not the price. If Tobias were here, he would think, So / get scraps now? The shiny necklace is too much for him? Then what am I supposed to do with a spoon? Answer me! If Niall were here, he would think, Weak beasts do not deserve love. A roofis enough. | dig. | keep digging. Vesper could not stop smiling.

Pride shone on his face as he stood taller. A quiet huff escaped him as he lifted his chin. The sound carried smug satisfaction. ---- When Halden walked in with breakfast, he almost turned around. Vesper strutted out with his chest high and steps loud. Halden rubbed his temple and sighed. She really works fast. He is already wrapped around her finger." Halden picked up Ardenia's clothes and helped her dress without thinking. She kissed his cheek, a soft sound full of affection. Halden fell silent. She really did know how to balance all of them. "| haven't given you a gift yet.

Are you upset?" Ardenia asked as she rose on her toes and looped her arms around his neck.