My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 59

7urated to Raise Panther Cubs

Chapter 59 The Night Ride

Finished

Once Zachary was settled, Matthew let out a low purr, straightened up, and took the beast–hide bag in his teeth before heading toward the center of the tribe.

A roaring fire blazed in the open plaza, with a generous spread of food laid out before it. The shaman, Mr. Bruce, stood with his head bowed, chanting under his breath. Chief Alfred and several respected elders among the therians knelt on the ground, their gazes filled with devotion and sincerity.

This was the pre–departure prayer, seeking the Beast God’s protection.

“You’re finally here.” said Yael, who had also shifted into his black panther form. He padded over and nudged Matthew with the top of his head.

“What happened? Overslept?” Yael laughed.

Matthew raised a front paw and pinned down Yael’s head as he tried to nuzzle closer. “You think everyone’s like you?”

“Tch-” Yael flicked his tail. “Last time was an accident. Besides, catching up with the main group is a piece of cake.”

It was Zachary’s first time witnessing such a scene. Dozens of black panthers crouched in wait within the firelight, their pupils gleaming with a cold, predatory light.

He leaned closer to Quincy, feeling inexplicably nervous.

Elias quietly walked over, eyeing the unique beast–hide bag on Zachary with intense curiosity. “Zachary,” he whispered, “can I touch it?”

Zachary took the backpack off and let Elias try it on.

“This is so convenient!” Elias blinked and gave a small smile. “Zachary, when me how to make one like

this?”

we

get back, could you teach

“No problem.”

The other sub–therians also turned to look, finding the unique bag on Elias quite the novelty.

The group was divided into three teams, each led by an experienced therian: Donald, Miles, and Ryker.

Zachary spotted Harper and Wesley from a distance, but he didn’t feel like talking to them, so he pretended not to see them.

Before they even set off, he climbed onto Matthew’s back, giving them no chance to come over.

Once the pack of black panthers left the tribe, they began racing through the dark, silent forest toward their destination

The cold wind, heavy with nighttime dampness, whipped against his cheeks and the sides of his neck. Zachary tucked his chin in, tightened the collar of his beast–hide coat, then leaned forward until he was pressed flat against Matthew’s fur.

5

5

0 0 0 0

JM

14:54 Fri, Jun 5 M.

Chapter 59 The Night Ride

Finished

The forest was dense with vegetation. As Matthew wove through it, dew from the branches and leaves splashed onto Zachary’s face, making him flinch from the cold.

Zachary wiped his face with his sleeve and lowered himself again, burying his hands in Matthew’s fur and pressing close to his warm body beneath.

horizon, bleeding out a pale, grayish glow.

A crack of light finally appeared along the east he ran was almost hypnotic. Once Zachary adjusted to

The rhythmic rise and fall of Matthew’s muscles

the initial jolting, his eyelids began to grow heavy.

Cold and drowsy–a miserable combination.

After what felt like ages, the sun finally emerged. Through the gaps in the canopy overhead, the sky had turned a faint pinkish hue.

Wisps of mist drifted into view.

The mountain path ahead was rough, littered with stones.

As Matthew made a sudden leap at full speed, Zachary felt himself slide sharply. Just as he was about to fall off, he snapped awake and threw his arms around Matthew.

Matthew landed, stopped in his tracks, and turned his head back.

“I’m fine. Let’s keep going,” Zachary said, lightly patting Matthew’s back.

Knowing this was no time to doze off, he bit the inside of his cheek hard to snap himself back to alertness.

Matthew was breathtaking as he ran in his black panther form. Every curve of muscle was graceful, and his speed and stamina were second to none.

The group didn’t stop until around noon, when they finally came to rest by a stream.

Zachary was aching all over from the bumpy ride, and his rear end had gone completely numb. He climbed down from Matthew on shaky legs, but the moment his feet hit the ground, his knees buckled and he went sprawling.

“Are you okay?” Elias, who was closest, hurried over to help him up.

Quincy looked worried. “Zachary, does anything hurt?”

Feeling the collective gaze of

veryone around him, Zachary–still on all fours–was mortified. He scrambled to his feet, quickly brushed the grass off himself, and forced a calm smile. “I’m fine. Just slipped, that’s all.”

Elias looked down at the ground. “It is pretty wet here.”

“You guys watch your step too,” Zachary said, secretly rubbing his knees.

Ow… that really stings.

He found a rock to sit on.

@ 0 / 0 0

111

14:54 Fri, Jun 5

JM

Chapter 59 The Night Ride

Finished

The moment his rear made contact with the stone, Zachary was convinced his once–lively backside had officially departed this world.

Matthew, now dressed, walked over and took Zachary’s hand to look at it. His palm was slightly red.

“How are your legs?”

“They’re fine.” Zachary pulled his hand back and looked up at Matthew. “Don’t you need to go hunt?”

“Donald and Kyle already went.”

“Oh.”

Zachary patted the spot next to him, signaling for Matthew to sit down.

Then he reached into his beast–hide bag and pulled out a leaf–wrapped bundle. Inside was a fragrant assortment of crispy fried small fish, river shrimp, and jerky.

“You must be exhausted after running for so long.” Zachary pressed the food into Matthew’s hands. “Go on eat up and recharge.”

“What about you?”

“I’ve got my own.” Zachary smiled and pulled out another bundle. “I’m going to go share some with Elias and Quincy.”

Yael and Ethan, who had been gathering firewood, caught a whiff and immediately drifted over, staring hard at Matthew.

Matthew knew exactly what they were after. He folded the leaf wrapper shut. “Get back to work.”

“Lunch will be ready soon.

順

322

O