Raising Beast Cubs to Find a Husband novel Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Little Whiskers Matchmaking Committee

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the merchant carriage as it rattled toward the common district.

Luna was humming, organizing her basket of fresh carrots, when a small voice broke the silence.

"Luna?" Clover asked, swinging her legs on the plush seat. "Do you know what Primrose likes?"

Luna blinked, her lilac bunny ears twitching. "Primrose? Well... she likes fresh ingredients. And clean counters. And she seems very happy when she’s cooking. I’ve never seen anyone smile like that over a pot of soup."

Clover nodded solemnly, filing this information away. Then she leaned forward, her olive eyes serious.

"Okay. Next question. Which one of the Empire’s powerful men do you think Primrose likes?"

Luna froze. She dropped a carrot.

"W-what?" Luna stammered, a blush rising on her cheeks. "Why would you... I mean... Primrose doesn’t seem... interested in romance. She’s very... professional."

Clover nodded again. "Understood."

"Clover," Luna asked, eyeing her little sister suspiciously. "Why are you asking these questions? Is this about a game?"

"No," Clover said innocently. "It’s just that Arjun, Jasper, Vali, and Silas all want her to be their mom."

Luna choked on air. "EH?!"

---

The carriage arrived at the Little Whiskers Daycare before Luna could process the political ramifications of that statement. She opened the door, still in shock, and Clover hopped out.

"Incoming!"

THUMP.

Vali launched himself off the daycare porch like a furry missile, tackling Clover to the ground.

"GOOD MORNING!" Vali howled right in her face.

A week ago, Clover would have fainted. Today, she just sighed, pinned under the wolf cub.

"Vali, get off," she squeaked.

Arjun marched over, grabbed Vali by the back of his shirt, and hauled him off her effortlessly.

"Clover," Arjun commanded, "next time he does this, just smack him. Use the Tiger Palm strike I taught you."

"I was showing signs of affection!" Vali barked, struggling in Arjun’s grip. "That is how we wolves do it! It’s a Pack Greeting!"

"Yes, brainless and primal as always," Jasper drawled from the doorway, adjusting his cuffs.

"It’s okay guys, no fighting," Clover said, dusting off her dress.

Just then, a shadow lengthened near the wall. Silas had arrived. He didn’t make a sound; he just stepped out from behind a pillar.

"Good morning, Silas," Clover beamed.

Silas nodded once.

"You are looking bright, Silas!" Arjun cheered, dropping Vali.

"Why didn’t you jump on him too, Vali?" Jasper teased, a smirk playing on his lips. "Or are you afraid of the quiet ones?"

Vali glared. "He doesn’t squeak. It’s not fun."

"Okay, Squad," Clover clapped her hands, leading them to the Council Rug before Primrose came out of the kitchen. "Listen to me. I asked my sister what Primrose likes. She said it’s cooking."

The four boys tilted their heads in unison.

"This is... not surprising," Jasper muttered. "But it will be tough. My brother cannot cook."

"My dad can’t cook either." Vali said.

"Same here," Arjun added.

Silas shook his head.

"Also," Clover continued, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "I asked her who she thinks Primrose likes out of your dads."

Vali’s ears perked up. Arjun leaned in.

"And she said Primrose has no interest in romance."

"She doesn’t want to mate?" Vali asked, confused.

"No interest at all," Arjun sighed, deflating. "Mission failure?"

"I don’t think this should concern us," Jasper said, trying to look indifferent. "We are kids. Matrimonial alliances are complex."

Silas slumped against the wall in defeat. He pulled out his drawing of Primrose and his uncle and sadly erased the hearts.

"But then again," Clover tapped her chin. "I think Primrose likes my sister more. What if they get married?"

"That is statistically impossible," Jasper scoffed. "Miss Luna and Prim are just friends. Besides, biology."

"Then what about you, Clover?" Vali asked suddenly, his tail wagging again. "When you grow up, who do you wish to marry and mate with?"

Clover smoothed her skirt. "Umm... my parents said if Luna finds a decent bunny-kin, I will also marry a decent bunny-kin. Someone safe."

"Boring!" Vali barked. "So you don’t want to mate with another species? Okay, let me be specific. Out of me, Silas, Arjun, and... this snake..."

"I believe you know my name," Jasper hissed.

"...who would you pick?" Vali finished, looking eager.

Clover looked at the four deadly heirs.

"Umm..."

Vali leaned closer, grinning.

"Jasper..." Clover started. "Is too smart. He uses big words."

Jasper nodded. "Acceptable."

"Arjun is too hyper," Clover continued. "I would be tired all the time."

Arjun did a pushup. "Valid."

"Silas..." Clover looked at the panther cub. "...is gentle. That’s perfect."

Silas blinked, his violet eyes widening slightly.

"WHAT ABOUT ME?!" Vali yelled, pointing at himself.

"Oh, you?" Clover wrinkled her nose. "You are too loud. And too playful. You’re always biting things and always trying to eat me."

She turned and walked toward the kitchen.

Vali stood there, devastated. His tail stopped wagging.

"But..." Vali whispered to the empty air. "But I don’t try to eat you anymore."

"Ouch," Jasper winced. "That was a critical hit."

"Vali, I feel like you got rejected," Arjun said, patting the wolf’s shoulder. "But why? Wolves are cool."

Silas walked over. He tapped Vali’s back once—a silent gesture of sympathy—and then walked away to follow Clover.

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