My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 4

Even with layers of dry grass and soft beast-hides beneath him, Zachary couldn't shake the feeling that this was barely a bed at all.

On top of that, the whole time-travel situation was eating at his mind. Sleep was impossible. The thought that he might be trapped here forever, never to return home, pressed on him like a collapsing ceiling.

Back in the modern world, he had lived alone, free from obligations and interruptions. Here, however, there was no electricity, no decent food, no phone, and books, movies, or games were completely out of reach.

The situation felt utterly crushing. With each passing minute, his thoughts weighed more heavily on him, and soon his eyes stung from unshed tears, which he quietly brushed away beneath the covers.

His body didn't even feel like his own anymore. And now he had a Stone Age child and a wife. Or rather, a husband.

He searched his conscience.

He had always tried to do the right thing, yet fate was dealing him a cruel hand he couldn't accept.

...

Morning light seeped into the cave, and the birds outside began their chorus. After hours of tossing and turning, Zachary gave up on sleep and swung his legs off the bed.

The coat thongs had knotted into a mess. The more he tried to untangle them, the tighter they became. Frustrated, he flopped back—then his skull met a solid "thunk." The truth hit him: this bed was just a slab of stone.

He wanted to cry. He lay there for a while, forcing slow breaths until his mood steadied.

Stepping out of the cave, he glanced toward where Jaden had slept the night before. The spot was empty, the hides perfectly arranged.

"That kid's awake already?" Zachary muttered, puzzled. Then, he heard a faint scraping noise outside.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw a dark figure stretched across the massive stone by the entrance.

Rubbing his eyes, he blinked again—and nearly jumped out of his skin.

A black panther was crouched on the rock, claws raking it repeatedly.

Fear shot through him, but Jaden could be close by.

Panic flared.

Zachary forced himself to remain calm, slipping back into the cave to grab the bone knife from the stone slab.

His hands trembled. His heart hammered in his chest.

He might be able to manage the little panther—but if its parents were close, those creatures could obliterate him in an instant.

Yet Jaden was still out there. Teeth gritted, Zachary leaned forward to look—just as the little panther lifted its round, icy eyes and locked onto him.

He jumped as if struck.

The panther bounded down, tail flicking, and padded straight toward him with a low, rumbling "woo-woo."

Cute or not, this was a predator. One bite could shatter a skull.

Zachary's sense of reality shattered. There are monsters in this world.

Zachary couldn't hold back. "T-The panther just now... was you?"

Jaden bit his lip, unsure of what he'd done wrong.

"Jaden, can everyone here turn into animals?" Zachary pressed.

Finally understanding, Jaden looked shocked that his sire didn't recall even the basics. "Therians can shift into beast form anytime. Sub-therians? Only during certain seasons."

Zachary pinched the bridge of his nose. He never thought he'd sound this nerdy. "So... I'm a black panther too?"

"No," Jaden corrected, imagining Zachary's form: silver-gray, fluffy, with a long, plush tail. "You're a lynx."

When Jaden was little, he clung to his sire, seeking warmth whenever Zachary became soft and furry. All he got in return were scratches and bites.

With Matthew nearby, Zachary would control himself—he still needed Matthew to provide food.

When Matthew saw the scratches on Jaden, he did his best to keep him away from Zachary. Whenever he went out hunting, he would leave Jaden at Yael's and ask Quincy to watch over him.

As Jaden grew, he realized his sire didn't like him and began learning to protect himself.

"Lynx?" Zachary repeated, stunned. "So, you don't have reproductive barriers in this world?"

"What do you mean by reproductive barrier?"