My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197 Seven Days

Finished

“Mr. Bruce already said the chances are low. Even if Jaden really does get a younger brother one day, I won’t leave you. I can’t even bear to leave you and Jaden now. Why would I go?”

Matthew lifted his head and kissed him lightly. “Mm. So don’t be angry anymore, okay?”

That warmth lasted only a second before Zachary pulled his stern face back on. “I forgive you But you really hurt me this time. I’m not letting it pass that easily. You’re still sleeping by yourself. And no sneaking over in the middle of the night.”

“Then… how many days?” Matthew did not dare bargain too boldly.

“One month.”

shaking

“No!” Matthew, who had been obedient just a moment ago, immediately turned stubborn again, shaking his head in panic. “That’s too long.”

Zachary reached out and tugged Matthew’s ears. “One month.”

Matthew clung to Zachary’s waist like he had no shame left at all.

“A month is impossible. I waited so many years for you to come back,” Matthew said, clearly trying to make himself sound pitiful.

Zachary asked, “Then what do you think is reasonable?”

“One day,” Matthew said almost before Zachary finished speaking.

Zachary glared at him. “Are you serious?”

“I am. Even one day is hard,” Matthew said.

“Seven days,” Zachary said, leaving no room for discussion.

“No-

“Say one more word, and it becomes one month again.”

“Fine, Matthew agreed, looking utterly crushed.

Under the blankets, Jaden’s mood had gone up and down with every sentence. Only then did he finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

I get to sleep with Sire for seven whole days! Perfect. If Alpha makes another mistake, maybe I can get even longer.

Zachary asked. “Can you let go now?”

Matthew stole one quick kiss from his lips. “I’ll make breakfast.”

Those seven days became the hardest punishment Matthew had endured since Zachary came back.

Even though he crept over every night and slipped away again before Zachary woke, it did nothing to ease

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Chapter 197 Seven Days

his frustration.

For that entire week, Zachary refused to let him kiss or hug him, cutting off every bit of closeness.

Matthew was terrified of waking him at night, so he did not dare make

any reckless move.

It felt like being locked in chains. At most, he dared to rest one hand lightly on Zachary, not even daring to nuzzle him.

He also did not dare ask Bruce for any more leaves. If Zachary caught him again, he might truly be kicked out and barred from returning.

When the seventh morning finally arrived, Matthew felt like someone who had finished serving a long

sentence.

While Zachary was still asleep, he silently began carrying Zachary’s belongings back from the next cave, one item after another.

Clothes, backpack, shoes, ornaments, the little table… every single thing was returned to its original spot.

After that, he lifted Jaden and sent him out to gather firewood.

There was no time to waste. Matthew had already endured seven days, and he did not want to spend another morning alone.

He carefully carried Zachary back to their bed, holding him close while he was still sleeping peacefully. Zachary woke from deep sleep to a familiar warmth beside him. When he opened his eyes, he saw Matthew’s furry ears first, and then the long, slender tail loosely curled around his waist.

“You–mm…” Zachary’s face went scarlet. “It’s broad daylight… You…”

The

kiss, his golden eyes burning bright.

with a lingering

Zachary grabbed a fistful of his hair. “Jaden is still home!”

Matthew’s voice was low, carrying the strain of someone barely holding himself together. “No, he isn’t.”

“What kind of father are you?” Zachary was completely speechless. “Where did you send him?”

“He went to gather firewood with the tribe’s other cubs.”

Matthew caught Zachary by the ankle and drew him closer, his tone half warning, half coaxing. “If we waste any more time, he’ll be back soon.”

“You–ugh…”

ド

Jaden and the other cubs filled their baskets with firewood. On the way home, they also picked several broad leaves. planning to use them later for wrapping food.

The cave door stood wide open.

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Chapter 197 Seven Days

When the boy stepped inside, Zachary was sitting beside the fire on a thick beast–hide mat.

“You’re back.” Zachary smiled and pulled his collar a little higher.

Jaden nodded. “Sire, why does your voice sound strange?”

Finished

“N–Nothing.” Zachary smiled stiffly. “Go wash your hands. We’ll have pie soon.”

“Okay.”

It had rained for two days straight, keeping everyone indoors, so Zachary had used the time to prepare several kinds of pie fillings.

The three of them spent half the day making pies. Once they finished, they placed them outside in the show to freeze. From then on, whenever they wanted a quick meal, they only had to heat them up.

Later, Zachary sent some to Quincy and Elias. Yael and Kyle liked them so much that they brought over several clucking beasts they had hunted to trade. To show their sincerity, the birds had already been plucked and cleaned.

The first time Bruce tasted the pies, he looked as though he had discovered some divine treasure. After that, whenever Zachary sent him a new batch, he could barely bear to eat them all at once. He only boiled a few each day, counting them carefully.

After what had happened before, Donald avoided Bruce’s place unless he absolutely had to go.

Knowing Bruce loved the pies, Donald wandered through the mountains looking for the different eggs Zachary liked. He traded them for pies, then quietly left the food outside Bruce’s door without ever showing his face.

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