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

---- Chapter 69 | Want You Vesper wanted to refuse, but the thought of what he had earlier stopped him. His body was already overheated and restless-definitely not the right moment to provoke anything else. In the end, he only nodded, clearly unhappy. Tobias, however, refused to let it slide. Wearing a crooked grin, he stepped in front of Halden. "Are you and Vesper playing me for a fool?" Calder had been ready to argue as well, but when he glanced down at the blood smeared across his hands and at Iris, whom he had just dragged back, his resolve collapsed. He said nothing.

Cradled in Julia's arms, Iris slowly regained consciousness. The moment her eyes focused, the scene before her hit like a crashing wave. Ardenia, you're shameless! | swear | won't let you off! Nearby, Halden kept Ardenia held securely against him. ---- Tobias stood in his way, but Halden refused to retreat even half a step. "Can't you tell she's worn out?" he said flatly. "And so what?" Tobias shot back. "She's my female too. We share a totem mark." He raised his wrist, displaying the black symbol that had yet to glow. Halden gave a short, mocking laugh.

"It's not activated." "And whose fault do you think that is?" "| thought you only cared about your fork. Didn't realize you were secretly hung up on her too." Halden's words dripped with venom. "Enough. I'm tired. We'll talk tomorrow." Ardenia's eyes were unfocused, her voice soft and drowsy. She reached up and brushed Tobias' cheek gently. "Be good. I'll make you something delicious tomorrow." Then, she turned away, tucked herself straight into Halden's arms, and fell asleep almost instantly. Halden's scent surrounded her. Even unconscious, she nuzzled closer to him as if it were instinct.

---- Tobias fell silent. So he was the joke after all. He had meant to fight for her, to push harder-but the moment Ardenia softened her tone and comforted him, his resolve crumbled. Fine, she is my female. As long as she is safe, Ican endure this. With that, Tobias finally stepped aside. The whole night had gone wrong. He'd planned to make an impression, and instead it fizzled out completely. He lifted his gaze. Ardenia's long hair spilled down like a dark cascade, strands lifting in the breeze and brushing against his chest, leaving behind an oddly sweet, irritating ache.

A flash of heat crossed his eyes. Right then, he made up his mind. Before Niall returned, he would awaken his totem with Ardenia. Halden carried Ardenia all the way back to the cave, fully aware of how drained she was. She had used her wood ability more than once tonight. She murmured when she felt the warmth beside her shift. ---- "Where are you going?" She reached out and caught Halden instinctively. He bent down and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "Be good. Go to sleep. I'll check on the chief and come right back." Half-asleep, she felt a faint tickle near her ear.

She rolled over, turning her back to him, and curled into the small blanket. Watching her do that, Halden's expression softened. Then, he quietly slipped out. Quincy was stable by the time Halden arrived. He still hadn't woken up-Stephan's blow had been heavy-but the danger had passed. Thankfully, Ardenia had stepped in. The danger had passed, and with proper rest, there would be no permanent harm. When Halden returned, dawn was already creeping in. Exhaustion weighed on him, so he cleaned himself quickly and lay down.

The instant his long tail stretched out, Ardenia hugged it ---- tightly to her chest. His little female truly adored his tail. Heat rushed to Halden's ears, which flushed red, and the warmth in his chest seemed to flow straight into the tail trapped in her arms. The pointed tip twitched, brushing gently against her cheek. She was sensitive there-she shifted back, and her spine pressed firmly against his solid chest. It was so warm. Even while asleep, a soft, breathy sound slipped from her lips. Halden's gaze darkened as heat surged through him.

Earlier, he had caught Vesper's scent lingering on her. The thought made him tighten his hold, drawing her closer. "Ardenia, can |?" he murmured. He truly wanted another chance. No man could stay unsatiated forever. "Yeah." ---- She might have been awake, or maybe not-but she answered all the same. Halden lit up at once. With her response, restraint vanished. His large hands began to explore, and his warm lips followed, quick, eager, and unrestrained.

"You cold-blooded leopard, what are you doing?" Ardenia wrapped her arms around his neck, eyes wide and bright as she stared at him, desire written plainly across his face. "| want you." He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, his breath hot and heavy against her skin. Her lashes trembled. She could feel his tail acting up again. "Stop it." Moisture shimmered at the corners of her eyes, the tip of her nose flushing red, as if begging to be teased. Her usual strength and decisiveness could fool others-being sharp, capable, and fiercely independent.

Yet, in moments like this, she softened completely. That contrast, that sudden vulnerability, was exactly what Halden found irresistible.