My Panther Mate & Our Little Cub novel Chapter 87

Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs

Chapter 87 He Is Not Family

Finished

Corey reached out and patted Jaden on the head, then turned to Taylor with a smile that was light on the surface but probing underneath. “So… Jaden, how about I become your Sire from now on?”

Before he had even finished speaking, Jaden placed the fruit back in Corey’s hand. His eyes were wary, his voice cold. “No.”

Taylor’s little face tightened too, turning serious in an instant. He returned his fruit as well. “Jaden already has a Sire.”

The smile on Corey’s face froze, and the atmosphere turned awkward at once.

He couldn’t let that show, so he forced another smile and hurried to explain himself. “I was only joking.”

“It’s just… when I think about how badly Zachary used to treat Jaden–always hitting him, never letting him eat enough–I feel awful for him. If he were my cub, I’d treat him well.”

Jaden might still be a child, but there was already a trace of Matthew’s quiet steadi never letting him

stayed set in a straight line, and he said nothing. But his eyes were distant and cold.

For some reason, Corey felt guilty under that gaze.

Taylor spoke up. “Zachary treats Jaden really well now. We like him a lot.”

in him. His mouth

The boys‘ reaction left Corey flustered. He hadn’t expected Zachary to completely turn things around in such a short time.

Still, for the sake of his longer–term plans, Corey tried once more. He pushed the fruit back into their hands. “Go on and eat. I was joking. Don’t take it to heart.”

But neither Taylor nor Jaden would accept it. They set the fruit down on the ground, turned, and walked away. No matter how Corey called after them, they didn’t come back.

Noticing how tightly Taylor was gripping his hand, his little face still tense and serious, Jaden stopped and turned to ask, “Didn’t you always want to eat sungold fruit?”

“Not anymore.” Afraid Corey might follow them, Taylor tugged Jaden forward again.

“Why not?”

Taylor didn’t know how to put it into words. He thought for a while before blurting it out, his voice tinged with emotion. “Because I don’t want him to be your Sire.”

“Zachary’s the best.”

On the other side, Wesley had only just sat down in a fury when Harper came over and asked whether Zachary had agreed.

Eyes red–rimmed, Wesley snapped, “Why did you make me go talk to him? Look at my hands–and my leg. He did this to me.

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Chapter 87 He is Not Family

Seeing the obvious scrapes, Harper looked surprised. “Zachary hit you?”

“Who else would it be?”

*Finished

Wesley sounded deeply aggrieved. “He is not family. Why do we have to keep sucking up to him?”

Harper sighed. “Lynxes were never as fierce as black panthers to begin with. And your Alpha’s leg… you know how it is. It’s manageable now, but once the cold season comes and food gets scarce, how are we supposed to keep living the way we used to without Zachary?”

At that, Harper suddenly thought of something. “That therian named Luke–doesn’t he like you? Maybe-‘

“Sire!” Wesley cut him off sharply. “The one I choose will be the strongest therian around. He doesn’t even qualify.”

“Alright, alright…” Seeing how strongly Wesley reacted, Harper immediately backed down.

Taylor and Jaden ran back to where Zachary and the others were sitting, and Jaden settled himself right beside Zachary.

Yael handed food to the two cubs. “Eat up. It’ll get cold.”

Noticing that Jaden kept sneaking glances at him, Zachary smiled and asked, “What is it? Do I have something on my face?”

Jaden shook his head.

The celebration in the center of the tribe was still going strong.

After eating his fill, Zachary had been chatting with Elias and Quincy, but as they talked, sleepiness gradually crept over him. His voice grew softer and softer.

Elias and Quincy noticed his eyes beginning to droop, so they quieted down.

Matthew gave them both a small nod, then carefully scooped Zachary into his arms and headed toward their cave.

Jaden followed behind, remembering to bring the three flower crowns for their little family.

During the days Matthew and Zachary had been away, Jaden had taken excellent care of the home. Even the wild onions by the entrance had been looked after.

Matthew carried Zachary straight inside, while Jaden hurried ahead to open the entrance first.

But Matthew only glanced at the cave briefly before carrying Zachary farther in toward his own sleeping space instead.

Jaden could only close the door again and go light the fire.

Matthew laid Zachary down on the bed, reached out to feel his forehead, then tucked the fur blankets snugly around him.

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Chapter 87 He Is Not Family

Jaden asked, “Alpha, is Sire sleeping in your cave tonight?”

“Mm. He wasn’t feeling well today. If he stays with me, I can look after him during the night.”

Finished

Jaden had never quite felt this way before, but after being apart these past few days, every night had felt especially lonely without Zachary. There was a hollow little ache in his chest that he didn’t know how to deal with.

Even though he really wanted to sleep beside his Sire, he still nodded obediently after hearing his Alpha’s words.

Since he needed to go collect their share of the food, Matthew told Jaden to stay behind and keep Zachary company.

The child sat quietly beside the hearth, feeding the fire so the flames would burn hotter.

Matthew quickly returned to the center dividing up the food.

of the tribe, where the revelry had reached its most exciting part+

This trip had brought back a rich haul. Besides red and yellow sweet potatoes, they had gathered plenty of wild greens, fruit, and mushrooms as well.

And the day before they returned, they had run into a herd of long–maned beasts and a herd of snorting beasts, bringing down quite a few of both.

Everyone lined up to take their share in turn, bright smiles on every face.

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