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

---- Chapter 99 Facing Their True Strength Vesper stayed right on his heels. Halden noticed him and remarked, "Perfect timing. You handle Ardenia's safety. I'll go check things out." Before Ardenia could react, she stumbled into Vesper's arms. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. "Just passing by," Vesper replied. He couldn't very well confess that he had been listening in. Ardenia studied him carefully, suspicion flickering in her eyes, though she had already pieced together the truth. Her cheeks flamed.

Thank goodness she had kept the fur blanket wrapped around herself the entire time-he likely hadn't seen anything. She definitely wasn't the type to show off her love in public. Still, Calder's situation took precedence, so she forced herself to ignore it. Inside the cave, Calder gasped, his mouth hanging open. The stifling air drew a low groan from him. He was far too weak, ---- completely outmatched by his opponent. Could | actually die here today? Maybe it's a good thing if | die. Part of him felt a grim relief. If he died, Ardenia wouldn't have to sever their bond.

Their totems hadn't ignited yet anyway. As his vision blurred, a thunderous impact shattered the air. It was Halden. Ajagged, lightning-charged stone rocketed straight toward Colin's vulnerable spot. The serpent writhed in pain, loosening its grip on Calder. The moment its tail slackened, Calder collapsed to the ground like alifeless rag. Halden's gaze swept over Calder on the floor, darkening with intensity. Then he turned back to Colin. His gray-blue pupils narrowed into sharp slits. "Are you courting death?" he asked coldly. "I'm not. He's just too weak," Colin said, trying to keep pace.

"! know you-you're that Level 8 snow leopard. Stronger than that merfolk, but still not my-" ---- Halden didn't bother with words or insults. Before Colin could finish, he launched forward again, delivering a single, crushing punch that sent the serpent hurtling through the air. Finally realizing the gravity of the fight, Colin became serious. He hadn't anticipated the leopard being so formidable. Perhaps he had held back when defeating those four last night. "Why so desperate? Aren't you rivals? If | kill him for you, that's one fewer competitor sharing the spoils," Colin taunted.

His form blurred, expanding into a colossal serpent that blotted out the sky-far larger than Tobias by a full circle. A Level 10 horned-serpent. Halden's expression remained icy. He didn't respond. The aura of a mountain king radiated from him, undeniable. Glancing at the massive snake, he muttered a few words like a throwaway challenge, "You're so noisy." Colin bristled at the slight, but he had to admit-this leopard guarding his rival was intriguing. Enough. Mercy was over. Rivals were meant to be eradicated. Monopoly was the goal. ---- Sharing was out of the question.

Explosions echoed relentlessly. Trees near Calder's cave tumbled in massive clumps, and the mountainside trembled violently. "Is that an earthquake?" someone whispered. "No. It's coming from over there!" Members of the tribe, sensing the commotion, rushed out one by one, arriving just in time to see Halden engaged in battle with something. "Is that Tobias? Why's he fighting Halden?" "Doesn't look like it. That thing's got horns," another replied. "An intruder? What if Halden can't handle it?" The therians in the tribe started speaking all at once, their voices overlapping chaotically.

The energy radiating from their abilities was so intense that many of the lower-level therians cowered, pressing themselves flat against the ground in fear. Quincy felt it too. And not just him-the nearby Fierce Lion ---- Tribe sensed it as well. With ability like that, and a roar loud enough to shake the mountains, it was impossible to ignore. Niall pushed away from the table and scanned the surrounding area. He realized the source of the disturbance was Calder's side, mixed with the aura of an unfamiliar male. Ahorned-serpent? His brow furrowed.

That kind of creature should be in the divine realm, not here in the Wolf Tribe. What is it doing here? The fight was already underway. Calder might be formidable in the ocean, but on land, against awar-hungry, long-bodied killer like a horned-serpent, he wouldn't last a moment. Without hesitation, Niall launched forward like a bolt of lightning. By the time he arrived, the cave had already collapsed. Halden's form streaked across the sky, locked in midair with the enormous serpent. ---- Blows struck in rapid succession, sending shards of stone flying.

Niall barely had time to skid to a stop before Vesper and Ardenia arrived. "That serpent's not to be underestimated. I'm going in," Vesper said. His beast form surged forward with the wind, diving straight into the clash. "Little female, stay out of danger. That's a powerful one. I'll back them up," Niall added. A flash of white erupted as he struck, followed by a blinding light, then a heavy impact that rattled the ground, shaking it to its core. Ardenia had never witnessed her mates' abilities up close. She hadn't imagined the sheer terror of their power.

She couldn't help but think that making them stay low and submissive in front of her was truly demanding. Her gaze darted around, but Calder was nowhere in sight. The dragonfish totem on her skin throbbed with heat, and her heart sank. She scrambled toward Calder's cave. The entrance was blocked by debris. Taking a deep breath, she channeled her technique and blasted the boulder away.