My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 144

Chapter 144 No Escaping It

Kyle set the bundle of firewood down from his back, hung the beast–hide cover he’d used to block the snow alongside Yael’s, and handed over the quacking beast. “More work for you.”

Jaden, a little obsessive about order, couldn’t help himself when he saw the pile of wood and began stacking each piece neatly along the wall.

To celebrate Zachary’s recovery, everyone decided to make something good for dinner that night.

When Matthew and the others went to the storage area to grab ingredients, Zachary finally noticed just how much had been added inside.

There was an entire basket of white radishes, along with piles of dried seafood, fruits, wild vegetables, eggs of all sizes, and beast–hide supplies….

“Some of it was distribution by the tribe,” Matthew explained. “Some were gifts from others.”

Quincy added, “After you left, a few other tribes came by wanting to trade for woven baskets and seasoning powder. The chief had people set aside a portion of everything for you.”

Kyle looked at Zachary. “The chief said we were able to get so much salt this time thanks to you, so you should take a bigger share.”

Warmth spread through Zachary’s chest.

When it was time to cook, Zachary had just gotten up to help when everyone pushed him right back down and firmly ordered him not to move–he was to sit quietly by the fire and do nothing.

After being around it for so long, Quincy and the others had naturally improved their cooking. With the addition of seasoning powder and sauces, their skills would easily make them “top chefs” in other tribes.

Back when the Goldfinch tribe came to trade, Elias had brought out a plate of tomatoes with scrambled eggs, and the aroma had nearly knocked them over–they’d practically begged for the recipe at any cost.

The clucking beast was still used to make soup. Over the past few days, Zachary hadn’t woken up and couldn’t eat, so Matthew had fed him the broth one mouthful at a time.

Now that the ground was frozen solid beneath heavy snow, digging up clay wasn’t an option. After marinating the quacking beast and stuffing it with spices, they simply roasted it over the fire.

Matthew squeezed Zachary’s hand and asked what he wanted to eat.

“Could we make some congee?” Zachary held onto Matthew’s fingers. “With a bit of sweet potato in it.”

“Mm.” Matthew nodded, then went to the storage area, grabbed half a bowl of rice, and sat beside Zachary, lowering his head to peel the sweet potato with a bone knife.

After helping Jaden stack the firewood, Taylor and Jaden sat down on the ground nearby to play five–in–a- row. Zachary found himself staring at Jaden’s profile, his chest tightening again with a dull ache.

Jaden seemed to sense it and turned his head. Seeing his Sire’s reddened eyes, he was just about to speak when Zachary gave him a gentle smile, silently telling him to keep playing.

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Chapter 144 No Escaping It

Finished

The cave was warm and lively. Everyone gathered around the stone table, and Matthew placed a bowl of soup and a bowl of congee in front of Zachary

Taylor and Jaden both tried to sneak the drumsticks from their bowls into Zachary’s. Looking at the pile of drumsticks in his bowl, Zachary, though touched, helplessly returned them.

After finishing the steaming hot dinner, the snow outside had already stopped. The sky was pitch–black, and the snow on the ground had piled up past their calves.

Yael grinned. “First round’s over. The weather should start getting better now.”

Matthew suggested that Taylor stay the night, saying it was too dark and the wind too strong–young cubs could easily get cold.

Yael found his friend’s thoughtfulness a bit strange. After all, the two homes weren’t far apart, and black panthers had thick, insulating fur. Even with heavy snow, Taylor could’ve easily dug his way back home.

But Taylor was more than happy with the suggestion. He immediately hugged Jaden’s arm and looked at Quincy. “Sire, can I sleep at Zachary’s place tonight?”

Quincy hesitated, but Yael immediately wrapped a beast–hide around his shoulders and ushered him toward the exit. “Let Taylor stay. Two kids sleeping together will be warmer anyway. Come on, let’s head back.”

Yael couldn’t have been more eager–now that it was cold, Quincy had been making Taylor sleep between them, which made things… inconvenient.

Taylor waved cheerfully at them. “You guys go on home!”

Kyle draped a beast–hide over Elias. “Let’s go too.”

Elias nodded. “Zachary, we’ll come visit again when we have time.”

“Alright. Be careful on your way back.”

“Got it.”

The cave quickly fell quiet again. The dishes had been washed, the door closed, and the two fires burned steadily, raising the temperature in no time. Wrapped in beast–hide clothing, the cold no longer felt biting.

Suddenly, Zachary caught a strange smell. He turned his head and saw Matthew sitting by the stove, a smaller stone pot set over the fire, something simmering inside.

“Didn’t we just eat?” Zachary asked, confused.

“The shaman said you need to take the medicine for two more days,” Matthew replied, lifting the lid and stirring.

The moment the lid came off, a thick, pungent smell rushed out.

“Oh… ugh ugh- Zachary immediately covered his nose and mouth. When he saw the gray–green liquid bubbling inside, his expression turned downright dramatic.

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Chapter 144 No Escaping I

He asked, still unwilling to accept it. “That’s… my medicine?”

“Yeah.” Matthew nodded. “It works well. After just two doses, your fever went down.”

No wonder I’d thought someone was force–feeding me spoiled soup in my dreams…

Zachary pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth and cautiously tried, “Well… I think I’m already better, so maybe… I don’t actually need to take it anymore…”

The next second, three voices answered in perfect unison:

“No!”

“Zachary, it just smells bad,” Taylor said seriously as he walked over. “Mr. Bruce added stingtail beast feed to it. It should taste kind of sweet.”

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