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

---- Chapter 74 You Are My Jewel Gideon was furious. Normally, a simple nod from the female meant everything was settled. He never imagined Ardenia would outright refuse. But she had clearly changed in a month. It wasn't just her dual abilities-she seemed completely renewed, like a fresh version of herself. The mate who had once avoided her now clung to her relentlessly, unwilling to let go. In comparison, Iris was far more irritating. She had blundered, run off, abandoned them all, refused the dissolution, and prevented them from finding other females in spring.

Gideon had assumed Ardenia's lack of beauty would make her compliant. He didn't expect her to decline so decisively. Tobias asked, "Why did you turn down Gideon and Ryan?" Ardenia glanced at him sideways. "If | said yes, you'd be mad." He stayed silent. She's definitely not charming. ---- "| know what you want to hear," she continued with a sly grin. Before Tobias could react, she cupped his jaw in her hands and pressed her warm, soft lips to his. The instant their lips met, the snake scales along Tobias' back shivered and rippled. The sensation was intense.

He didn't know such softness could come from Ardenia's lips. Tobias felt like a child tasting candy for the first time- desperate for more. However, Ardenia pulled away. He lunged a few times, missing her lips, then opened his eyes to find her smiling sweetly. "When you've got a jewel right in front of you, what's the point of searching for more?" she asked. Besides, those two had already been claimed by Iris-she had no interest in them. Ardenia wasn't some dump for castoffs. Heat sparked in Tobias' eyes. He stared at her, slightly stunned.

"You really think I'm a jewel?" ---- After all, she had openly said she hated snakes. Their history wasn't exactly pleasant either. He could put ona tough front, but compared to the others, he knew he probably wasn't memorable to her. She hadn't taken his beast core or even the clothes he made. What she did today-she had done plenty of times with Halden, Vesper, Calder, and Niall. But with him, this was the first time he felt her lips. So, am | really her jewel? Ardenia blinked, caught off guard. Suspicion flashed in her eyes. Could he actually be this insecure?

"Tobias, do you want some pies tonight?" she asked. Tobias froze, puzzled. She wrapped her arms around his neck, laughing. "I ran out of oil while cooking, but Stephan sent a black boar from the hunt, and the meat's perfect. You go gett, and I'll fry up crackling cakes for you tonight." ---- "Ardenia!" "What now?" She clearly knew the effect she was having. "I'm your mate. Can you stop trying to bribe me with food? | asked a question-you didn't answer. | know | messed up. before, but you gave them chances. Can't you give me one too?" His eyes glowed red as he spoke. Ardenia's heart clenched.

Oh no. Don't tell me he's about to cry. She cleared her throat, snuggled into his arms, and whispered, "If you weren't my jewel, why would | be holding you like this?" "Really?" Tobias' eyes brightened, and the haze that had lingered vanished immediately. "Really," she confirmed. "Like, really really?" he pressed, still hesitant. "Really really," Ardenia repeated. ---- Good grief. I'd better spend the night with him soon-if he doubts himself this much, it can't be good. "So... Do you want some pies or not?" she asked. "Yup!

I'll go drag that black boar back right now," he said, grinning as he carried her toward the cave. He was a jewel- she had called him her jewel. Halfway there, Tobias paused. Holding Ardenia in one arm, he reached into his coat with the other and pulled out the beast core he had prepared long ago. "You didn't take it before," he said. The core glowed a soft green, the same shade as her wood element power. Ardenia took it gently, then handed him a little snake-head pendant she had prepared long ago. "You..." Tobias stared at the pendant, speechless.

His eyes burned as he looked at the chain in her hand, his heart pounding. He had one-he really had one too. ---- Tears suddenly slid down his face. "Why are you crying?" she asked. He turned away, embarrassed, and muttered like a child, "I'm happy." Ardenia shook her head. She hadn't expected this side of him. She realized she hadn't given him enough care. Snakes were usually independent, left to fend for themselves-he must have been starved for affection his whole life. "Put it on me," Tobias said, sniffing, proud as he bowed his head.

His soft hair brushed her cheek-ticklish, and honestly soft and charming as it brushed her cheek.