My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167 The One Behind the Door

Finished

After that. Donald appeared at Bruce’s cave every morning and evening without fail. He brought meals, collected the used bowls, and cleaned up whatever mess Bruce had created while working with herbs.

Leslie also took the initiative to help with the medicine.

Bruce, of course, had no reason to refuse such a careful and clever little rabbit. He was so pleased that be even opened the supplies he normally kept hidden for himself.

Leslie handled everything with great patience. He noticed small details and offered several ideas that were actually useful.

Bruce’s eyes carried undisguised appreciation.

him

To thank him, Bruce shared the dried persimmons, candies, and chestnut cakes Zachary had given him before.

Leslie had never eaten anything like them.

Since they had come from the shaman himself, Leslie treasured them even more. He lowered his head and took small, careful bites. Whenever crumbs fell, he caught them in his palm at once, unwilling to waste even a tiny piece.

Bruce watched him with amusement. “Do you like it?”

Leslie nodded, his voice soft. “It… tastes really good.”

“Then eat a little more.”

The sight of the shy little rabbit somehow made Bruce think of his own younger brother.

His brother used to be like this as well–gentle, obedient, and spoke softly.

If only… Bruce cut off the thought before it could sink too deep. He gave a faint shake of his head, and the warmth in his expression faded back into his usual calmness.

“Thank you, Mr. Bruce.” Leslie’s ears and cheeks had turned pink.

Bruce wrapped the new ointment in leaves. The medicine worked well against frostbite, so he planned to divide some among the tribe later.

Once everything was packed away, Leslie brought over a bowl of warm water and carefully offered it to him. “Mr. Bruce, please drink some.”

Bruce accepted the bowl with a light smile. “Thank you.”

Outside, the snow had not stopped.

Donald arrived with the meal basket as usual, only to pause at the entrance.

The wooden door was not fully shut. A thin gap remained, and smoke from the fire drifted through it in slow, pale curls.

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Chapter 167 The One Behind the Dour

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Leslie was naturally shy, but when it counted, he somehow summoned the courage to be braver than anyone thought possible.

“Mr. Bruce, you… I…” Leslie drew in a breath, then forced himself to continue. “I want to become your mate!”

Some words had to be spoken while the chance was still there.

Leslie’s face turned red all the way to his ears. His voice shook, and the moment the confession left his mouth, he lowered his head so quickly that he almost seemed to fold into himself.

His heartbeat thundered in his chest.

For a few seconds, the cave was so quiet that even the crackle of the fire sounded loud.

Then Bruce’s voice reached him. “Little rabbit, you’re shaking this badly, yet you still want to be my mate?”

Leslie lifted his head in a hurry. “I’m… I’m not scared.

Bruce smiled. “You are a very good little rabbit. Brave too.”

Being praised by the shaman made Leslie’s tight nerves loosen a little.

Bruce’s tone turned gentler. “However, I am sorry, Leslie. I am quite comfortable on my own right now.”

Leslie did not reply right away.

Bruce worried the rejection might have hurt him. He was about to soften his words further when Leslie quietly asked, “Mr. Bruce… is there already someone you like?”

Bruce looked at Leslie’s earnest face, then his gaze moved toward the figure standing beyond the half–open door.

For once, he wanted to stop being so careful.

“Yes. There is someone.” His voice stayed light, yet the meaning was clear. “I like him very much.”

Leslie blinked. He did not seem upset. Instead, he looked troubled on Bruce’s behalf. “Then why aren’t you mates?”

Bruce lowered his eyes with a faint smile. “He does not want that.”

“Why?” Leslie looked shocked. “Mr. Bruce, you are so amazing.”

“Yes.” Bruce glanced toward the door, his smile carrying a trace of helplessness. “Why indeed?”

A moment later, he gave a soft sigh. “Maybe his eyes are the problem.”

Leslie froze. “His eyes?”

Bruce had felt a little bitter at first, yet Leslie’s serious reaction nearly made him laugh.

He kept a straight face and nodded. “Yeah. Very serious problem. His eyes are so poor that he cannot see how wonderful I am.”

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Chapter 167 The One Behind the Door

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Leslie immediately imagined a sad, painful love story where the shaman loved someone who could not see his worth. His eyes quickly turned red.

Bruce hurriedly took out his final hidden treasure, a lollipop. He gave one to Leslie and kept one for himself. “Try this. I have not even been willing to share it with anyone else.”

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Leslie held the lollipop carefully and spoke with great sincerity, “Mr. Bruce, please do not give up. He will definitely see how good you are one day.”

“Mm.” Bruce patted Leslie lightly on the shoulder. “I will try my best to cure his eyes.”

Donald remained outside for a while before finally pushing the door open.

Leslie noticed the snow on Donald’s shoulders and looked behind him. “Is it snowing heavily?”

“Yes.” Donald placed the basket down and opened it. “Eat first.”

Bruce looked at Donald with a faint, unreadable smile.

His movements were as relaxed as ever. He even rested his chin on one hand and teased in a lazy tone, “The food looks nice today. You’re improving.”

Donald was not nearly as steady.

Maybe he had never been good at hiding his emotions in the first place.

He avoided Bruce’s gaze the entire time. Even while taking out the dishes, his hands moved faster than usual, almost clumsily.

After sitting for only a short while, Donald stood up again and began organizing the medicinal herbs on the shelves.

With Leslie’s help over the past two days, Bruce’s cave was much cleaner than before. There was not much left for Donald to fix.

Still, Donald moved one bundle of medicinal herbs, adjusted a jar, shifted a basket, and made himself look extremely occupied.

Leslie watched for a moment before asking, “Donald, aren’t you eating?”

At first, Leslie had been a little frightened of him.

Donald was tall, and when his face held no smile, he looked rather fierce.

After spending two days around him, Leslie had slowly realized Donald was not scary at all. He worked hard, helped as soon as he entered the cave, and cooked very well.

“I’m already full. You two eat.” Donald kept his back turned, his hands still busy.

Bruce ate quietly. His clear eyes, however, stayed on Donald’s back the entire time.

Leslie looked at Bruce, then at Donald, thinking that something about both of them felt off–very off.

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Chapter 167 The One Behind the Door

الله الله الا الله

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