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

---- Chapter 94 The Sudden Disturbance Calder went completely still. He stared at Ardenia, shock written all over his face, unable to speak for several long seconds. She... isn't angry with me? "Ardenia," he asked carefully, "you won't think I'm a bad merfolk, will you?" "Nope!" she answered without hesitation. Smiling, Ardenia reached out, lightly pinched his nose, and pulled him toward the bed. "I made you some clothes," she said warmly. "Do you want to try them on for me?" Moisture gathered in Calder's eyes, trembling as he fought to hold it back. He looked at her, then nodded with force.

He began loosening the beasthide wrapped around him. Whether he meant to or not, his movements slowed, deliberate enough to draw attention. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and clean, powerful lines were gradually revealed, each inch impossible to ignore. "Ardenia," he said softly, his voice uncertain, "do you... want to touch me? I think... you'll like it" Unlike Niall's natural sensual confidence, Calder carried a shy, tentative air. His expression was gentle and almost ---- youthful, yet his physique told a very different story. That contrast struck Ardenia right where she was weakest.

When she didn't respond right away, he gathered his courage and carefully guided her hand to rest against his chest. "Well?" he asked, watching her reaction closely. Calder understood his own limits, and he also understood exactly what appealed to her. If this was what she liked, then he would lean into it. He was her male, after all, and making her happy felt like the most natural thing in the world. "l like it!" Ardenia burst out, laughing despite herself. She looked ready to pounce, yet to her surprise, Calder stopped her instead.

"Ardenia," he said gently, "you've been exhausted these past few days. Don't worry about me. I can wait a little longer. It's really fine. I'm more worried about how you're feeling." That was playing hard to get, if she'd ever seen it. As he spoke, the shirt on his shoulder conveniently slipped down, exposing the firm curve of his arm and those dangerously defined triceps. ---- "As long as I'm in your heart, I'm content,' Calder continued softly. "I can wait, Ardenia. I just want you to feel good' At the cave entrance, Vesper, Niall, and Tobias exchanged looks. "See?" Tobias muttered darkly.

"Didn't I tell you? He's completely calculated." "Definitely not someone to underestimate,' Vesper agreed. They had all assumed Halden was the real competition, never imagining that the supposedly dead merfolk would turn out to be the real danger. Being indulged was one thing, but claiming a place in her heart was an entirely different matter. Niall clicked his tongue. "Playing hard to get. Smart move." There was no way that merfolk didn't want her. Ardenia was far too tempting. If it were Niall, he wouldn't have held back at all-and he was still starving, too.

Inside the cave, Calder lay back on the bed, his deep-blue hair fanned out like strands of seaweed. The faint pink at the tip of his nose, left over from earlier emotions, only made him look more dangerously appealing. Perhaps Ardenia's stare grew too intense, because he ---- turned his face aside shyly. The shirt he had just pulled into place slipped down again, exposing just enough skin to be distracting. "Ardenia..." he murmured, embarrassed. "Don't look at me like that..." He looked like a beautiful, fragile bloom on the verge of wilting.

Unfortunately for him, she had restless hands and very little self-control when it came to simply looking. Calder fought back a smile, his heart thudding wildly in his chest. It didn't matter if he ended up last. As long as what he gave her was unforgettable, she would remember him. Outside, the three of them continued to monitor the situation. When the sounds inside began to drift ina dangerous direction, Tobias suddenly shoved Vesper forward. "At a time like this, you want me to be the one to ruin the mood?" Vesper hissed. It was absolutely cold-blooded.

Though he resisted, Vesper still glanced toward the cave entrance. Niall raised an eyebrow. "Not just anyone can interrupt that. If Halden were here, do you think it'd be your turn?" ---- In other words, aside from Halden, Ardenia favored Vesper the most. If anyone stepped in, it had to be him- or she'd definitely get angry. That logic landed a little too cleanly. Love really did make fools of people. Vesper used to think he was sharp; now he felt like he was being pulled by invisible strings. His face heated as he hesitated. Tobias, losing patience, finally kicked him forward outright.

Inside, Ardenia was just about to lean down and kiss Calder when a sudden noise broke the moment. She startled and lifted her head, only to see Vesper standing stiffly at the entrance, looking painfully awkward. "What's wrong?" she asked. Calder felt like cursing. That kind of interruption was downright hateful. Vesper wasn't cruel enough to pull something like that on purpose. It had to be the other two, still holding a grudge. The softness in Calder's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a darker, sharper look. The fragile act dropped away.

He quickly pulled his clothes back on and sat upright. "Ardenia," he said calmly, "Vesper is probably here for something important. You should go ahead. I'll head back ---- now. I can't help with heavy work, but if you need baskets woven or herbs sorted, please come get me." He's so obedient. It's a shame I don't get even a single taste of him. The thought crossed her mind, but she kept her expression neutral and simply hummed in acknowledgment. The moment Calder stepped out of the cave, his demeanor flipped completely.

He grabbed the other two by the collars and dragged them toward the back mountain. "You two really have some nerve," he sneered. "Real classy." Tobias let out a short laugh. "Well, dropping the innocent act already? What if Ardenia saw you like this?"