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

---- Chapter 95 Playing with Fire Calder had to hand it to Tobias-his sarcasm was something else entirely. Calder glared, his fury almost tangible, as if he were about to boil over. Niall snapped, "What's wrong? You can act like a jerk, but 'we can't?" "Don't be such a hypocrite," he added, glaring. Calder's gills flared, and his scales stiffened like sharp blades. Predicting a fight, Tobias cracked his knuckles and shifted into his beast form. Niall wasn't about to sit this one out either-he'd been itching to teach Calder a lesson from the start. "Tobias, go get him!" Niall called out.

Tobias arched an eyebrow. "And you?" Niall smirked. "You're strong enough-you don't need me. He's not a land shifter. If you pull me in and we go at him two-on-one, we'll just look ridiculous." Tobias nodded, acknowledging Niall's point, then surged toward Calder without hesitation. This washed-up weakling has no right to cut in on my perfectly ---- good moment! Tobias wasn't about to let it slide. Dust erupted around them, grit whipping through the air. Winds coalesced into razor-sharp gusts, slicing directly toward Calder's face. Calder didn't flinch.

He remained perfectly still, his eyes flashing red for a heartbeat. Niall cursed under his breath -this was trouble, and it was already too late. As expected, Tobias froze midair. His body twisted unnaturally, stiff and grotesque, like a horrifying puppet. Niall spat, abandoning any pretense of elegance. He had completely forgotten that Calder's illusions were nearly as twisted as his own Soul Capture Technique. Tobias kept circling in a trapped loop. Niall clicked his tongue and slammed his fist into a boulder in frustration. Useless! He'd have to step in himself.

Unexpectedly, Calder simply plopped onto the ground, grabbed a rock, and bonked himself on the forehead. Niall stared, completely dumbfounded. By the time Tobias recovered, he stormed forward, ---- cursing, hand raised to strike. Niall lunged to stop him- but it seemed too late. "What are you doing?" a voice rang out. It was Ardenia, and that just made things more complicated. 'm fine. Don't blame them," Calder said Tobias pointed at Calder in frustration, then shot a glance at Ardenia. He laughed in disbelief. "If I told you I didn't hit him, would you believe me?" Ardenia didn't answer.

Niall threw his hands up in surrender. "Really, it wasn't us. Though... we were thinking about it," he admitted sheepishly. Still, Ardenia stayed silent, her gaze fixed on the three of them. She could have scolded them, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. "Carry on. I've got other things to do," she said, turning and walking away without looking back. Vesper followed behind her, glancing over his shoulder at the trio-essentially, signaling they were on their own. ---- They'd really stirred up trouble this time. Ardenia needed to finish the bug-repelling sachets and had no time to mediate.

That morning, Tobias had stripped most of the camphor tree. Ardenia measured precise amounts and packed the mixture carefully, sachet by sachet. Calder approached, opening his mouth to speak, but Ardenia turned away, ignoring him completely. The finished sachets smelled fresh, minty with a hint of camphor, and were highly effective against bugs. Vesper had gone to tend the soil obediently, while Halden, unaware of the earlier chaos, was nearly done with the bridge. Melissa's jealousy had faded once she saw the earlier chaos; it reminded her that every household had its own troubles.

Niall's hunt was already butchered. Ardenia cut a generous portion for Melissa, who grinned so widely her cheeks ached, pouring out thanks in heaps. Ardenia also handed her several bug-repelling sachets. "Hang these in your room. Could you and your mates help distribute the rest to others in the tribe? They're important-when the rainy season comes, they'll keep the ---- mosquitoes away." Melissa's eyes lit up. She was thrilled to help. Even the mighty Fierce Lion Tribe now followed Ardenia's lead. She was tougher than the chief himself. Melissa hesitated, overwhelmed by the responsibility.

Ardenia was trusting her with the tribe's welfare. "Can... Can I really do this?" she asked nervously. Ardenia placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Melissa, you know the therians in the tribe better than I do. My father's hurt and stuck in bed. I'm counting on you.' "Okay!" Melissa replied, running off with a bright smile. By dusk, Halden finally finished. A dozen workers had helped, and the bridge was straight and sturdy. Only the fence remained, slower work that required patience. Halden came looking for Ardenia, eager to show her the bridge, but noticed the mood at home had shifted.

He frowned, about to ask Vesper what happened, when Vesper and the others dropped to their knees. ---- "What's going on?" Halden asked, confused. Ardenia didn't even glance at them. She linked her arm through Halden's and smiled. "I'm hungry." That single, simple statement cut off any further questions. "I'll make you something delicious," Halden replied warmly.