My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 58

Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs

Chapter 58 A Foraging Trip

Finished

Zachary packed a variety of snacks into the crossbody beast–hide bag he had prepared: marinated and fried meat strips seasoned with salt and chili powder, crispy fried river shrimp, dried fish, and hard–boiled eggs, all neatly wrapped in leaves.

Since this world didn’t have alarm clocks, he was and Jaden to make sure they woke him up on

time.

ed of oversleeping. He repeatedly nagged Matthew

would sleep easy.

The father and son duo nodded, telling him he

Around two in the morning, the fire in the cave was stoked back to life. The warm, amber glow danced across the stone walls, chasing away much of the nighttime chill.

Matthew was busy with breakfast, frying up some omelets, roasting several snorting beasts, and steaming some large apples in the stone pot.

Jaden, woken by the sounds, rubbed his eyes. Seeing Zachary still fast asleep, he crept out of bed as quietly as he could.

He padded over to the fire, looking bleary–eyed. “Alpha,” he murmured.

Matthew handed a freshly fried omelet to Jaden. “Once you’re done eating, head over to the shaman’s with Taylor.”

“Okay,” Jaden said, taking a bite of the warm omelet. “Should I wake Sire now?

“Not yet.”

Only when the entire meal was ready did Matthew tell Jaden to go wake Zachary

Jaden walked to the bedside and gently shook Zachary through the blanket. “Sire, it’s time to get up.”

Zachary was in the deepest part of his sleep. He let out a hazy, muffled groan of acknowledgment without opening his eyes, then went completely still again.

Jaden leaned over the edge of the bed, patiently trying again. “Sire, wake

“Mm… you p

go

into the covers.

1. up.

Time to eat.

ead…” Zachary’s voice was thick with sleep. He rolled over, burrowing his head deeper

This was always the hardest time get out of bed–deep in the dead of night, with the cold biting outside and the blankets impossibly warm. No one in their right mind would want to move.

Matthew, watching from the doorway, hadn’t expected Zachary to be such a heavy sleeper. He walked over and tugged down the beast–hide covers Zachary had wrapped himself in. “Wake up, Zachary. Get up and eat. We have to head out soon.”

Zachary managed to force his eyelids open just a crack, but the weight of exhaustion slammed them shut again a second later.

Feeling helpless, Matthew shook him again. “Come on, wake up.”

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Chapter 58 A Foraging Trip

Finished

Zachary reached an arm out from under the covers, grabbed the hand on his shoulder, and pressed it firmly under his cheek. “Just a few more minutes,” he mumbled. “Just a little longer…”

The warmth from Zachary’s skin radiated against Matthew’s hand.

Zachary’s features were soft in sleep, his long, thick lashes fluttering slightly. Below his straight nose, his lips were a pale, delicate pink.

Gurled

up

like a cat, he clung to Matthew’s

arm.

Matthew found himself momentarily dazed. He stayed frozen in that position, leaning over the bed, leting Zachary keep him “pinned” there.

Jaden opened his mouth to try calling Zachary again, but Matthew quietly cut him off. “Go eat your breakfast first.”

Silence reclaimed the room, and Zachary’s breathing gradually steadied back into a calm rhythm.

But perhaps because something was still weighing on his mind, Zachary’s eyes suddenly snapped open a moment later, and he found himself staring directly into a pair of golden eyes.

The firelight spilled through the open doorway, casting deep shadows across Matthew’s face.

Zachary blinked, his brain still catching up. “Matthew? Why are you crouching here?”

Matthew pointed toward the pillow.

Zachary looked down and realized he was clutching Matthew’s arm, with his face still pillowed on his hand.

Zachary scrambled to let go and sat up in a panic. “I’m so sorry! I… I didn’t mean-

He stammered out a guilty, embarrassed explanation.

His flustered rambling almost made Matthew laugh.

1. go.

Keeping a straight face, Matthew withdrew his numb arm. “Get up and eat. It’s almost time to g

It finally hit Zachary that the tribe was heading out on a foraging trip today!

The last traces of sleep vanished instantly. Zachary smacked his forehead in frustration. He really needed to do something about his habit of hitting the snooze button.

“I’ll be ready in a second! Just give me a minute!”

Zachary jumped out of the warm bed, shivering violently as the cold hit him. He scrambled to grab his clothes from the nearby stool.

“Dress warmly,” Matthew reminded him.

“Will do. Zachary got dressed and washed up at record speed.

He poked his head outside the cave to check the sky and considered skipping breakfast to save a few minutes, but Matthew pressed him down onto the stone stool. “You’re traveling today. You need to eat.”

TI

dM.

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Chapter 58 A Foraging Trip

Finished

Relenting, Zachary hastily wolfed down a few bites of omelet wrapped around meat before wiping his/ mouth. “Okay, I’m good. Let’s go.”

“That’s all you’re eating?” Matthew couldn’t help but ask.

▶ worry, I packed plenty of snacks for the road“/

Zachary patted his bulging crossbody bag. “Don’t

With that, he shouldered the moo–beast–hide

ckpack he had finished sewing just yesterday./

Outside the cave, the world was pitch–dark. The nighttime temperature had dropped sharply, and the wind cut like ice against the skin.

Matthew stuffed their remaining supplies into a beast–hide bag and then shifted into his beast form.

His sleek, black fur blended perfectly with the deep night. If not for those glowing golden eyes, he would have been nearly invisible.

The black panther crouched low on his forelimbs, signaling for Zachary to climb onto his back.

85

“The lollipops are on the shelf in the storage room. Don’t forget to have some,” Zachary said softly, patting Jaden on the head. “Be a good boy while we’re gone.”

Jaden nodded. “I will. Sire, please be careful out there”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got your Alpha with me” Zachary gave Jaden a quick hug and smiled. “We’re off!”

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