My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236 The Natural Space Heater

“Give me your foot

Finished

Sometimes Zachary thought Matthew could be pretty shameless, though it was hard to tell from his expression alone. He’d been born with that cold, devastatingly handsome look that made him secni dependable no matter what came out of his mouth.

Matthew grabbed the silver–and–black jacket, too. “Put another layer on.”

Zachary figured he’d overheat in it, so he shook his head. “I’m good.”

“It gets cold at night.”

The trading gathering would last several days. Going back and forth in a single day was too rushed, so tribes that traveled long distances usually camped nearby instead.

“I’ve got you, don’t I?” Zachary still cared about looking decent when he was out and about.

He really didn’t want to bundle up that much, so he grinned. “I’ve already got a built–in space heater in beast form.”

In the end, Matthew still stuffed the jacket into the beast–hide bag just in case.

After breakfast, Jaden and Zachary both threw on their/stuffed backpacks. The two of them stood by the cave entrance, looking like kids waiting for the school bus.

Matthew shifted into his beast form, lowering his front half and dipping his back as he flicked his tail at them.

The trip wasn’t that far. By then, therians from all kinds of tribes would be coming in from every direction. Since everyone worried about cubs wandering off, adults usually carried them along the way.

Jaden sat in front while Zachary sat behind him, just enough to wrap him securely in his arms.

The massive black panther padded steadily toward the center of the tribe. Halfway there, they ran into Yael’s family, who had just left too.

Taylor bounced up and down on the black panther’s back, excitedly waving at Zachary and the others.

“Careful.” Quincy pressed a hand against him. “You’re gonna fall off.”

Zachary completely understood how Taylor felt at that moment.

Back when he used to tag along with adults to county fairs, he’d been way more excited than Taylor was

now.

Matthew and Yael, both in their massive black panther forms, walked side by side at an even pace.

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Chapter 236 The Natural Space Heater

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Meanwhile, Taylor couldn’t stop talking.

The little chatterbox spent the whole trip twisted around, not facing forward, chatting nonstop with Jaden

and the others.

All the supplies meant for trading had already been packed up in the center of the tribe. Since they were transporting pottery as well, the chief specifically warned the black panthers carrying everything to walk slowly, not run.

The weather was perfect that day.

The sunlight felt especially bright, and the breeze drifted softly across their faces, carrying the scent of flowers and grass with a gentle warmth.

Taylor wore his little backpack on his front. After a while, he got bored and dug a few pieces of jerky out of it. He handed one to Quincy, then passed two more back to Jaden and Zachary.

Catching the smell, Yael flicked his tail and let out a low rumble.

Since Yael was still carrying him, Taylor temporarily played the role of a sweet, thoughtful cub. He crawled forward and held out a piece of jerky for him. His arms were too short, though, so he could only barely reach Yael’s nose.

Yael flicked out his tongue and snatched the jerky right up. He barely even tasted it before it was gone. Another low whine rumbled out of him.

Taylor hugged his little backpack to his chest and shook his head. “No more. We’re not eating anymore. Alpha, hurry up and keep moving.”

Zachary thought the two families looked more like they were out on some camping trip. Before long, Taylor started craving snacks again, so Jaden handed him a bag of dried fruit.

Last time the therians from the tribe traded for smoked meat, they ended up getting a lot of fruit in return. Zachary still had some plums left over, so he turned them into dried fruit. The sweet–and–tangy flavor made it a pretty perfect snack.

It was like somebody had flipped a switch inside Yael. Every few steps, another little whine escaped him.

Taylor wiped his damp hands all over Yael’s fur and huffed. “Alpha, you’re gonna eat my whole hand off! Jaden gave this to me. You don’t get any.” After saying that, the cub even added a lecture. “Matthew never steals Jaden’s snacks.”

Yael turned to look at Matthew. “You’ve seriously never done that?”

Matthew kept his eyes forward. “I don’t do stuff like that.”

Suspicion flashed across Yael’s expression. “Quit acting all innocent.”

Matthew replied flatly, “Zachary always asks what I want to eat. Then he makes mine separately. Same with snacks. Jaden and I each get our own share.”

“Enough already!” Yael ground his teeth together. He seriously did not want to hear Matthew bragging in

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Chapter 236 The Natural Space Heater

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that calm, matter–of–fact tone anymore. Suddenly, the road ahead felt way too long, and he just wanted to give up and lie down.

“That’s because Jaden’s sweet, he muttered, trying to comfort himself

It wasn’t just Yael. The other black panthers nearby were all shooting Matthew jealous looks, too. Everyone thought he had ridiculous/luck.

No wonder he’d always been so patient before. Turns out he’s been hiding a treasure back home this whole time.

The group kept moving forward, and more unfamiliar faces started appearing along the way. Since Zachary and Quincy were riding on the backs of the black panthers, and both of them were way too good- looking, the therians passing by couldn’t help stealing extra glances.

At that moment, Yael and Matthew reached a rare level of unspoken agreement. The second they noticed the therians‘ burning stares, they glared back coldly. One stayed on the left while the other took the right. The teamwork between them was weirdly natural.

During the trading gathering, there was an unspoken rule everyone followed: therians weren’t allowed to fight. It was meant to protect the therians from weaker tribes, too, which was why so many came to trade.

As they got closer to their destination, Zachary felt like he’d stepped straight into one of those wildlife documentaries set on the endless plains of Arvandor.

Everywhere he looked, there were massive, ferocious beasts. Even the herbivores were enormous. They carried cargo and sub–therians on their backs as they steadily moved forward in neat lines. The whole scene looked like something straight out of an animated blockbuster.

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