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

---- Chapter 49 A Private Late-Night Treat "What did | even say? Why are you all looking at me like that?" Tobias squatted by the camp pot, completely baffled. There was no sign of him thinking about the question at all. His eyes were locked on the noodles, filled with nothing but pure hunger and anticipation. I've never had this kind of noodles before! "Have you ever had anything spicy?" Ardenia asked with a smile, lifting her gaze to Tobias. Her eyes held that playful, teasing look people used when talking to little kids. "Spicy?" Tobias tilted his head.

His green eyes were clear and curious, completely unguarded. "Open up." Ardenia scooped a small spoonful of broth from the pot as she spoke. He watched her and immediately understood that she was about to feed him. His cheeks flushed a soft pink. A quick smile flickered across his handsome face, and he leaned forward obediently, opening his mouth. The broth was not hot, but it hit his tongue hard. ---- "This soup burns!" Tobias blurted out. The moment he said it, the other two leaned in as well, heads tipping forward expectantly, clearly waiting for their turn to be fed.

How can soup be that spicy? Ardenia fed each of the three a bite, and they all immediately stepped back. Halden couldn't help fanning his mouth. "Just like that bright pepper fish last time. My mouth's on fire." Once she realized they couldn't handle spicy food, Ardenia skipped adding any of the remaining seasoning packets. Then, as the noodles were almost ready, she tossed in the washed spinach. The smell hit them instantly, rich and fresh, making everyone's stomachs rumble.

The bowls and eating sticks were just out when two more showed up, carrying the honeysuckle they'd picked, arriving fashionably late. "Look at you guys. The whole gang's here, and somehow you already got a head start without us." Niall looked exhausted, his fox-like hands stained from picking. He set the baskets down and shook his hands like he was shaking off the work. "All done. There are still a few crates up top, but those are flowers.

What Calder and | brought back are ---- just the buds." "Thanks for the hard work." Ardenia handed him a bowl of noodles, thoughtfully scooping a little spinach on top to make it look nicer. Niall didn't even wait. He was seriously starving-the kind of hunger that came from being worn out and exhausted. "By the way, how did you two end up falling?" he asked, blowing on his noodles. Ardenia told the story again while serving the others. Calder, after hearing it, ran up to her and grabbed her arm, tears starting to fall. "You're okay, right?" Ardenia grinned, rolling her eyes at him.

Out of the five of them, he was definitely the most dramatic. "I'm fine." She ruffled his hair and kept ladling noodles for everyone else. When it came to Halden, he looked at the mostly empty pot ---- and muttered, "I'm not that hungry. You should dig in, okay?" Ardenia's chest warmed a little. "There's plenty for both of us. Go ahead." He insisted, suggesting, "I'll eat with you." "Alright!" she said, scooping a big bowl. They sat down together, taking turns, feeding each other bites. The spinach in the noodles was fragrant, and the seasoning made every bite feel too good to stop eating.

Halden stopped after just a couple of bites and said he needed to find a place where they could sleep for the night. Ardenia understood right away: he was trying to leave the food for her. What am | to do with this man? she thought. The others were struck speechless. The noodles in their hands instantly lost all appeal. Their instinct to guard their own food kicked in, and sharing slipped right out of their minds. Tonight had turned into a hard, unforgettable lesson. ---- After the meal, Vesper and the others went to wash the dishes.

When they were done, each of them pulled out their own beast-hide blanket. Once they lay down, they naturally shifted closer, wrapping Ardenia right into the middle without needing to say a word. The night sky in Beastworld was beautiful, but none of the stars were familiar to Ardenia. She lay on the beast-hide mat, Tobias already asleep on one side and Vesper on the other. Niall slept near her feet, Calder above her, forming a quiet circle around her. Halden stayed up alone, leaning against a tree trunk to keep watch. Sometime in the second half of the night, Ardenia woke up.

She moved quietly, padding over to Halden. She straddled his lap and kissed him once, light and teasing. "Hungry?" Halden opened his eyes, caught her chin, and kissed her back. He took his time before finally letting her go. "Not hungry." "What an arrogant little leopard." Ardenia leaned in, tucking ---- her head into the hollow of his neck. Her fingers traced over the muscles he had left exposed. She lowered her voice until it brushed his ear. "Come on. | will make you a private late-night treat." As soon as the words left her mouth, the two of them slipped back into the pocket space.

Ardenia climbed off the bed and rummaged underneath it. After a bit of searching, she finally found the self-heating hot pot she had stashed earlier in her snack bucket. "Perfect. There is still one left." Halden sat on the bed, watching the little female busy herself for him. His usually calm, quiet expression softened into a faint smile, and his eyes were so gentle they looked ready to drown in her. "Lie down for a bit. This takes a while." She set the self- heating hot pot on the bedside, then slid in next to him. They exchanged a smile.

The sweet, warm scent clinging to the little female curled around his senses. Ardenia grinned brightly, then rolled over like a lazy kitten and wrapped her arms around him. His throat ---- tightened before he could stop it. "Do not move." Halden's voice sounded low and restrained in her ear. "| want to." Ardenia's hands wandered up and down without the slightest shame. His muscles felt too good under her fingers, smooth and solid, impossible to let go of. Halden pressed his lips together, saying nothing. He howled in his heart, What else can | do? She's my little female. I get to spoil her.

Ardenia sank her teeth into his rolling Adam's apple while one hand slid up to cup the soft, furry tip of his ear. Halden's expression darkened. In the next second, he flipped them over, pinning her beneath him. His voice was rough as he murmured, "It will hurt."