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

---- Chapter 44 Her Knowledge of Herbs Once Quincy and the others had gone, Ardenia finally turned and stepped inside the cave. She changed into a long-sleeved outfit, completed all her preparations, and emerged again-only to be met by five pairs of anxious eyes. "What's going on with you guys?" she asked. Vesper spoke first. "Are you all right?" After all, Julia was her mother, and it had to hurt to hear her speak that way. Tobias grinned and gave her a thumbs-up. "Little female, you were unstoppable today. I didn't even get a chance to speak." Calder nodded.

"Lady, you're incredible." Niall chimed in, "Little female, are you heading up the mountain? Hop on me." Without hesitation, Niall shifted into his beast form. In an instant, a fox stood before them, ---- looking at Ardenia before lowering himself, front legs bent, inviting her to ride. Julia had always fussed over Ardenia like this, but today she had pulled the witch doctor into it, stirring the tribe's resentment. If Ardenia could perform the witch doctor's duties just as well, once they tracked down the witch doctor and Iris, they could settle scores on their own terms.

Words alone weren't enough for revenge-she had to strike at the heart. Niall was fully committed. No way would his female take that abuse, especially after Iris had crossed him too. "You just said going up the mountain is risky," Ardenia teased. "Does that mean you won't go?" Niall's fox eyes narrowed, a grin tugging at his lips. Ardenia replied, "You talk too much. I'm not riding you' ---- Instead, she swung onto Halden's back. Niall froze. In some ways, Ardenia and Julia were similar- both a little biased. The six of them set off, moving like a lively pack toward the mountains.

Riding on Halden at first, Ardenia worried about slipping, but his steady pace soon eased her tension. Walking ahead, Halden murmured, "You don't have to restrain yourself with her." Ardenia stroked his fur. "I'm not taking her seriously. I just hate it when people jump at me." Now inhabiting the original Ardenia's body, she couldn't ignore everything. Otherwise, she would have smashed the trouble away with a stick and called it a day. "If you dislike it, I can go with you... like Deria." ---- A warmth spread through Ardenia's chest. She opened her arms and hugged Halden tightly.

Then her gaze fell on a cherry tree, heavy with ripe fruit. "Stop! I'm picking these!" She slid off Halden's back and scrambled up the tree with nimble movements, her grin impossible to hide. "Careful! Don't fall," Tobias warned, coiling his massive snake body around the trunk to keep her safe. "These wild cherries are really tart,' Halden said as he plucked a few. "There are plenty of ways to make them delicious. Wait until the weather gets hot-you'll see." Ardenia's smile held a secret. She still had strong liquor tucked away, wondering how to use it.

Now, the answer was clear-cherry wine-sweet bliss. But the mountain birds were also fond of the cherries, so she paused after collecting just a ---- handful. "Is that enough?" Niall asked. "This is enough for jam and a good soak. They look cute, but too many of these sour little things will ruin your teeth." She stashed the cherries in her pocket space. The mates exchanged stunned, thrilled looks. She has pocket space-seriously? Only Halden remained unshaken. He clearly already knew. The trail ahead was easy, so Ardenia dismounted.

She had come here for herbs, and finding them required walking. Fortune favored her persistence. After a short hike, she discovered a large patch of violet dandelion. She had read about it in an old herbal compendium-clears heat and toxins, cools the blood, reduces swelling, and even counters snake venom-a highly valuable herb. "Help me dig up the entire patch, making sure the ---- roots stay intact." Niall was taken aback. He had assumed her abilities were limited to wood-based, but Ardenia clearly knew herbs too.

She explained the benefits of violet dandelion, and her mates listened intently, faces serious. Their little female truly had knowledge. Her excitement grew when she found mugwort. The richness of this world's resources amazed her. Halden trailed her, puzzled by her delight over a clump of pungent grass. Can something that smells like this really be medicine? "What is this?" "Mugwort. Dried, its aroma keeps mosquitoes and bugs away. Boiled as a wash, it's excellent for soaking feet, washing hair, or bathing-cleans while driving out cold and damp. The best part is that it makes tasty food.

That's a treasure, isn't it?"