My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200 Cooking For Them

Bruce climbed onto Donald’s back with slow, careful movements. His lower back still ached badly, but once he settled into a stable position, the pain dulled enough to bear.

The snow lay deep across the ground. Every step Donald took left a heavy print behind.

When they reached the cave, Donald helped Bruce remove his outer layers, settled him face down on the bed, then went to build the fire higher.

Once the flames grew stronger, Donald said, “I’ll go call Zachary

“No need. Just put some ointment on it. It should case up in a few days.”

Following Bruce’s instructions. Donald searched the wooden shelf and picked up a jar filled with dark salve. “This one?”

“Mm.”

Donald sat beside the bed and lifted the back of Bruce’s shirt. The skin there, usually pale and smooth, had swollen badly. A deep purple bruise spread across it, harsh and ugly against his back.

“Go easy,” Bruce reminded him, well aware of Donald’s strength. “I’d like to keep my ribs intact.”

Donald almost replied, I’m strong, not brainless.

In the end, he kept quiet.

The salve was icy cold. The moment it touched his skin, Bruce shuddered. “Warm it by the fire first.”

Donald actually took it over and warmed it.

A hunter’s hands were never perfectly soft. Even though Donald tried to be gentle, the brush of his broad palm against Bruce’s waist still made a few vivid memories flash through his mind.

Bruce hissed and turned his head. “Softer.”

“Right.” Donald snapped out of it and quickly looked away.

A short while later, he lowered Bruce’s shirt again. “Done.”

Seeing Donald still sitting by the bed, Bruce asked, “Aren’t you going back?”

Donald hesitated. “Can you

manage

alone?”

Bruce answered plainly. No

That was not the answer Donald had prepared for.

In the end. Donald stayed to look

been coming down with fevers handle it by himself.

er Bruce for the nex

Boiling

medicine

few days.

al was

esides, many people in the tribe had

work, and Bruce was in no state to

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16:27 Fri, Jun 5 MJ

Chapter 200 Cooking For Them

Meanwhile, Zachary was busy preparing dinner in another cave.

He tossed beef tallow, chili pepper, peppercorns, wild onion, ginger, and garlic into the pot, then/added salt and spices. After stirring everything until the aroma bloomed, he had a simple broth base ready!

He had made more than they needed, so he ladled half into a bowl and set it aside to cool and/solidify.

There were still three tomatoes left at home, already close to spoiling. After preparing the broth fondue ingredients, Zachary decided to make soine pan–fried fish with tomatoes too.

Fish was the one ingredient they never lacked. He chose two big ones with fewer bones, sliced the flesh thinly, and marinated it with wild onion and ginger. Then he added a little drunken fruit juice for good

measure.

After that, he heated oil, fried wild onion, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then added chopped tomatoes and sauteed them. Once it was ready, he slid the fish slices in one by one and let them cook gently over low heat.

Before taking it off the fire, he scattered chopped cilantro over the top. The fragrance was so good it nearly made the soul leave the body.

Jaden had helped the entire time, his eyes fixed on the pot almost without blinking.

Every time Zachary cooked, it felt like watching a little miracle happen. The ingredients were clearly ordinary, but somehow, once they passed through his hands, they became food that looked beautiful and smelled irresistible.

Zachary asked Jaden to bring the cooled broth base to Quincy’s family. They liked broth fondue as well. With that base, all they had to do was wash some vegetables and slice a little meat, and dinner would be ready.

Yael and Matthew happened to return with their harvest right then.

“Jaden, what are you carrying?” Yael asked with a grin.

Jaden replied, “Sire asked me to bring you broth fondue base.”

“Broth fondue base!” Yael’s eyes instantly brightened. He dropped what he was holding near his own doorway. “Let me see!”

Hearing the noise, Quincy and Taylor came out too.

Taylor sniffed the air. “Wow, that smells amazing!”

“We’re having broth fondue tonight!” Yael was so delighted that his tired expression vanished in an instant, replaced by pure excitement.

“Tell Zachary thank you for

FIL

him

Matthew did not stay long. He took Jaden with him hurried home.

Since they were cating broth fondue, Zachary had arranged everything around the stove. The tomato fish

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Chapter 200 Cooking For Them

slices were warming on top.

Looking at the table full of food, Zachary happily placed the plates and eating sticks in order, waiting for them both to return.

The snow had stopped for a while in the evening, but now it had begun falling again.

Matthew stood at the entrance, shook the snow from his robe, and stomped his feet hard before stepping inside, bringing a rush of cold air with him.

Zachary walked over and touched his hand. Even Matthew’s knuckles felt stiff from the cold.

“I’m freezing.” Matthew said, stepping back a little so Zachary would not press against his chilled clothes

Zachary looked at his red nose and wind–flushed checks, then covered them with both hands, warmed by the fire. “I’ll warm you up.”

Matthew smiled and lowered his head to kiss him. “Let’s eat. It smells incredible in here.”

Jaden was already sitting obediently beside the stove, waiting for both his parents.

The broth fondue bubbled richly. Zachary added the sliced meat.

All sorts of ingredients surrounded the pots. The greens dug from beneath the snow were especially fresh, and Zachary had even made some pie.

But the real highlight was the fish with tomatoes. The tomatoes were sauteed well, while the fish slices were white, tender, and silky. One bite tasted fresh, smooth, and unlike anything they usually ate.

Matthew thought for a moment, then asked cautiously, “Is today a special day?”

“What?” Zachary looked up. “Why?”

“This meal feels… very grand.”

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