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

---- Chapter 98 Calder Is in Danger Light and shadow intertwined across the clearing, and birds chirped cheerfully nearby. After their blissful cuddle, Halden lay back, feeling content, his gaze fixed on Ardenia resting beside him. Ardenia kept her eyelids shut, pretending to be asleep. Her delicate hand swept back and forth over his abs. The sensation thrilled her, and a satisfied smile tugged at her lips. Halden pulled the fur blanket up snugly and lowered himself beside her.

He shifted carefully, drawing her onto his chest, and held her waist firmly with both hands to keep her from slipping. "am | heavy?" she asked softly. Halden shook his head. "No, | enjoy holding you like this," he replied. The snow leopard's tail slithered out once more, curling under Ardenia's neck as a makeshift pillow. Snow leopards often showed affection this way, using their tails to support their lovers' heads. ---- The tail's tip twitched, soft and ridiculously cute. Ardenia lifted herself slightly, watching the fluffy tip wiggle in her hands like a tiny silken cocoon.

She couldn't help but laugh at its absurd cuteness. The tail kept moving relentlessly, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hold it still. "Stop wagging your tail," she scolded, giggling. Halden's grin tilted mischievously. "I'm not. It doesn't obey me," he teased. Liar, she thought, because the moment he said it, his entire tail began swishing again, dodging her attempts to catch it. The long, furry appendage played a teasing game of hide-and- seek, teasing her relentlessly. It was pure exhilaration, a rush of fun that made her heart race with excitement.

Seeing Ardenia delight in the game, Halden loosened his grip, letting her crawl over him while the tail swept back and forth. Every time she thought she had it, it slipped away. Eventually, Ardenia gave up, and the tail stretched out lazily. ---- Watching her pant slightly from the exertion, Halden stopped teasing. His long tail now lay still beside her hand. Ardenia's eyes widened with excitement at how big, fluffy, and irresistibly soft it was. She hugged it close, pressing her cheek into its warmth.

She didn't even dare imagine curling up with Halden in his beast form during winter-his heat combined with that fluffy tail would be like a living, superheated blanket. "No more games. Time for cuddles," Halden murmured. "| want games!" Ardenia exclaimed, lifting Halden's tail to rest on her head. The tip flicked of its own accord, sweeping across her face until she squinted. Her laughter rang through the valley, bright and infectious. From behind a boulder, Vesper watched, feeling a pang of defeat.

He tried to extend his own wolf tail, but the more he saw, the more it seemed like an awkward imitation. Because Ardenia clearly preferred Halden's tail-not his. Perhaps she had lost interest in him too. ---- Meanwhile, Niall had spent half the day napping in Calder's place. When he stretched and glanced up, Calder was still crying. Seriously? Is his brain full of water? Why is he still crying after all this time? Calder pouted and turned away, utterly miserable. He hadn't tended to his wounds and had no intention of doing so.

If Ardenia truly decided to leave him, he might as well give up entirely. The sun sank lower, casting long shadows through Calder's empty cave. His mind kept replaying Ardenia's words-her talk of family, her warm expression, her kindness. And he had lied to her. He was a worthless merfolk. The more he dwelled on it, the sharper the sting of regret. "What if she really doesn't want me anymore?" he whispered bitterly. Aderisive laugh echoed suddenly through the cave. Calder jerked upright, his tears forgotten as the pressure of a Level 7 therian rolled toward him.

---- "Who's there?" he demanded, alert. From the entrance slithered a black snake, its tongue flicking. Tobias? No-this isn't Tobias. This black snake had horns. "You're pathetic. How dare a Level 7 merfolk dream of a noble female?" the snake sneered, measuring Calder with sharp eyes. Then the overwhelming pressure of a Level 10 therian hit him. Calder's eyes narrowed. Level 10! The disparity was insurmountable. Calder couldn't even move, his own ability neutralized effortlessly. Colin Pierson's grin twisted cruelly. "You're just a merfolk.

What can you possibly fight for?" "Even if I'm a merfolk, I'm her mate! You lurking in the shadows think you could take that from me? Keep dreaming!" Calder spat back. Colin only laughed. "Compared to you, I'm more qualified." ---- His smile turned cold. The massive tail coiled around Calder, tightening. He didn't need his ability-just a bare choke was enough against this weak merfolk. He would claim that female no matter what. Since these losers had only fought among themselves yesterday, if he killed the merfolk now, everyone would likely blame that black snake.

Out in the valley, Ardenia suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lower right abdomen. She shot upright, spotting the totem she shared with Calder glowing bright red. "Calder's in danger!" Halden shouted, yanking the fur blanket around himself. "Isn't he in the Wolf Tribe? How could he be in danger? Are they fighting again?" Ardenia asked in confusion. Halden shook his head. "The totem's warning. Someone intends to kill him. Niall and Tobias aren't behind this." He scooped Ardenia up sideways, blanket and all, and sprinted directly toward Calder's cave.