My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 323

Finished

Lanny went and gathered a whole stack of beast hides. He picked out the softest and thinnest ones and stayed up all night making clothes for Jaden so the cub could wake up the next morning with something that fit.

Jaden struggled to stay awake, but he eventually drifted off. Sean carefully carried him back to bed with light, quiet steps.

The night was lonely, and the firelight was dim. Half–asleep, he would occasionally wake up and always catch sight of two gentle, loving pairs of eyes watching over him.

Zachary had gone nearly three days without sleep. His already slim face was now even paler. His lips were tightly pressed and drained of color, and he looked like he could collapse at any moment.

Matthew forced him into his arms and wrapped his hands around his shoulders, trying to make him rest. But after barely dozing off, Zachary suddenly jolted awake again. Fine beads of cold sweat covered his forehead, and his ice–blue eyes were filled with panic and urgency.

Dense forest canopy blocked out the harsh heat of the sun above him. The rushing river surged forward relentlessly. Occasional insect chirps came from the tangled grass. Even the wind seemed to have frozen in place under the weight of the atmosphere.

Matthew took the bamboo tube from Yael and brought it to Zachary’s lips. “Have some water,” he said quietly.

Zachary shook his head. His eyes stayed locked on the fast–moving river not far away. It was as if his soul had already been swept away by the current, leaving behind only an empty, numb shell.

Matthew cupped his chin and called his name. “Zachary.”

Zachary finally turned his head. When he met Matthew’s dark, exhausted eyes, he stayed silent for two seconds. Then he obediently opened his mouth and drank down about half the bamboo tube of water.

Matthew wrapped an arm around his mate and pressed his head against his chest. His voice was rough. “Zachary, just sleep for a bit. Just for a little while.”

Γ

Ever since leaving the Black–winged Kite Tribe, they had been searching for three full days. Every nearby tribe had joined in. The tribes that came for exchanges also helped. All the winged ones circled high above the forest all day long, conducting an almost grid–like search along the river. Even the gaps between mountains had been checked.

Half of the vulture tribe’s therian had come as well. They carried Matthew and the others as they flew west By midday, the sun had become too harsh to endure, so they landed to eat something and take a short break before continuing the search.

Taylor, who usually started whining at the slightest discomfort, was now soaked in sweat and flushed bright red, yet he made no sound.

He wiped his face randomly and shoved all the fruit he had into Little Baldy’s arms. “You eat more. Thanks

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Chapter 3231See Him

Finished

for bringing me along. When we find Jaden, I’ll give you all the snacks and toys at my place. You can have whatever you want.”

Little Baldy looked at his red–rimmed eyes and said, “Taylor, my wings are big. You can cry. I can block you with them, so no one will see.”

Taylor shook his head. “I can’t cry. Jadens still waiting for us.”

Donald buried his head in his hands and scrubbed his face hard. He was frustrated that he had not noticed anything unusual during patrol that day.

Bruce kept checking the medicinal herbs in his pack over and over. He had no idea how many times he had already prayed to the BeastGod in his mind.

All the therians did not waste a second. They quickly packed up their things and gathered together.

Zachary swayed as he stood up. He shook his head and barely managed to steady himself.

Matthew grabbed his arm, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he helped him onto the vulture’s back and said, “Sit tight.”

A dozen gray–brown vultures spread their massive wings and flew low over the forest and river boundary. They were spaced out in different positions, and their sharp eyes locked on everything below.

The mountains stretched on endlessly. Behind one cliff rose an even higher one, stacked layer upon layer, cold and jagged.

Zachary panted under the scorching heat. In a daze, he thought he saw a wisp of white smoke drifting up from the dense, scale–like canopy of the forest, slowly dissolving into the wind.

He rubbed his eyes and suddenly grew excited, pointing toward the southwest. “There! Jaden is over there!”

Matthew was rattled watching him. He quickly moved closer and said, “Zachary, sit still!”

Outside the cave, Jaden and Sean carried over another large pile of dry branches and leaves. Lanny was in charge of pouring water over them, and this smoke had been going on for three days,

Jaden’s shoulder injury was almost healed. Today, he could barely manage to make a few sounds. His voice was still badly hoarse, but Lanny and Sean both felt relieved. As long as the cub recovered, that was enough.

Every time Sean came back from hunting, his beast hide bag was filled with all kinds of fresh, juicy fruits, Yesterday, he even brought back food from the stingtail beast, wrapped layer by layer in leaves, golden, fragrant, and sweet.

Jaden took over the cooking on his own initiative, and Lanny and Sean could not bear to let him. But after tasting the cub’s fried pork crackling, pan–fried meat, and egg soup, they said nothing and immediately

became his assistants.

At mealtimes, the three of them gathered around the stove.

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Chapter 323+ Sec Him

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Just as they set the food on the table, a sudden commotion came from outside the cave.

Sean told Lanny and Jaden to hide first. He went out with a bone knife to check the situation. Seeing vultures scattered all over the ground outside, he grew alert and asked, “Who are you?”

At the voice, Matthew froze for a moment When he saw who it was, even his pupils seemed to lock up.

He just stared straight at Sean. His chest rose and fell violently, and emotions in his eyes churned and spread rapidly.

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