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

---- Chapter 42 Her Bold Defiance Above all else, females rarely left their shelters-much less ventured up a mountain. Doing so was practically inviting disaster. "Ardenia, look at the mess you've caused!!!" Asharp, shrill cry cut through the air, piercing the ears of the few who were having their meals nearby. Ardenia turned her head and saw a woman striding toward them, dressed in a fur skirt and gripping a long staff. Shell ornaments circled the woman's neck, and a pearl- hen feather was tucked into her black-red hair. Her presence was imposing and authoritative.

This woman was the original Ardenia's biological mother -Julia Carter. Julia had two mates-Quincy and the chief of the Fierce Lion Tribe. She moved between the two households, which was why Ardenia hadn't encountered her recently. She was never an easy person to deal with. From the original Ardenia's memories, Ardenia knew Julia favored Iris deeply-sometimes even more than her own daughter. ---- That made it obvious why Julia had shown up now. As expected, Julia slammed her staff heavily against the ground and yelled toward the cave entrance, "I heard you chased off the witch doctor and Iris!

You even killed her mate! Do you realize her mate was a Level 5 therian? Killing a tribe therian without cause will get you burned alive!" After her outburst, silence answered her. Julia's expression darkened. She swung her gaze to Ardenia and snapped, "You-go drag that ogre, Ardenia, out here. I need to question her!" Laughter instantly erupted around them. "What are you all laughing at?" Julia snapped angrily. "We're laughing at you, Mother. Who else?" Ardenia replied coolly. "I am Ardenia. Didn't you recognize me?

Or are you so obsessed with Iris that you've forgotten you even have a daughter?" A faint, amused curve touched Ardenia's lips. Julia had barely shown up before passing judgment and shifting all responsibility onto her, apparently expecting Ardenia to accept it quietly. "You're saying you're Ardenia?" Julia's voice jumped an ---- octave as she stared at her in disbelief. Her gaze swept Ardenia from head to toe, rejection clear in her eyes. Yes, she was still plump, but her figure now had definition, and she was even dressed in linen- something Ardenia had never worn before.

Her skin was neither fair nor dark. Her black-red hair was neatly tied with a matching strip of cloth. Her features were plain, yet her eyes were sharp and bright. How can she possibly be Ardenia? The Ardenia she remembered had been fat, unattractive, lazy, and selfish. Julia had never hidden her disgust. Compared to Iris, Ardenia was worthless. No matter how many times Julia looked, she couldn't connect this female to the daughter she remembered. When she first arrived, she'd noticed her and assumed she was Deria. But after getting closer, that didn't fit either.

So she'd concluded the female must be some new tribe member. Never once had she considered it might be Ardenia. The presence of those few mates behind her made no sense; they were meant to loathe Ardenia, not stand at her side. ---- Julia's gaze turned cold. She stepped past Ardenia and pointed at Vesper. "Iris has gone missing, and you're still wasting time with this ogre? You should be out searching! Asa high-level therian, you should understand your responsibilities!" Before Vesper could respond, Ardenia let out a laugh. "What's so funny?" Julia demanded sharply.

"You are," Ardenia replied. "Why would my mate go looking for someone who drugged him and caused him to lose his level?" She raised an eyebrow, mockery clear in her eyes. The expression grated on Julia's nerves. The ogre she despised had somehow found the nerve to speak to her like that. Julia's eyes shifted faintly. She had caught fragments of rumors about Iris on the way here, but they meant nothing to her. "Iris only drugged your mates for your benefit. If you had any ambition, she wouldn't have needed to step in. And this is how you repay her? By killing her mate?

Ardenia, you're not just unpleasant to look at-you're cruel." Clap. Clap. Clap. Ardenia stood up and slowly applauded Julia. ---- "Mother, you're truly impressive. You'll say anything to help Iris escape blame. Should I assume I'm not actually your daughter, and Iris is instead?" Her tone was lazy as she leaned back against the table. Behind her stood five striking mates, silent but dangerous. It was obvious-if Ardenia so much as gave a signal, they would move instantly, even if their target were the chief's wife. "Watch your mouth!" Julia snapped, humiliated and furious, glaring at Ardenia.

"Well, tell me where I'm wrong" Ardenia replied calmly. "Mother, you can't tell right from wrong, so of course I have doubts. Iris drugged my mates, stalled their advancement, and even caused their levels to fall. If they weren't strong enough, they'd already be dead."