Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 152

Finished

The basket by the wall was filled with rice. Zachary scooped out a few handfuls into a pot, then added some dried seafood he had traded from the merfolk tribe–shrimp, shellfish, and squid. He first sauteed the ingredients in the pot, then added water and brought everything to a boil, and finally stirred in the rice to cook slowly over low heat.

The seafood congee turned out rich, thick, and fragrant. The savory taste warmed the stomach instantly. It was the children’s favorite. Taylor carefully watched the cooking process from start to finish, determined to learn the recipe so that he could make it for his father at home.

However, congee alone wasn’t enough. Therians had large appetites, capable of eating as though they were bottomless pits. Though they could eat less when food was scarce, Zachary couldn’t bear the thought of Matthew going hungry.

Fortunately, they still had some meat left from yesterday. It wasn’t much, but it should be enough for everyone if he roasted it too.

Taylor and Jaden, having slept too much the night before, were wide awake and overflowing with energy. Pressed close to Zachary on either side, they huddled together on the beast–hide by the fire and listened raptly as he told them stories.

While Matthew was washing up, Jaden suddenly turned toward Zachary. He hesitated for a long time before he asked carefully, “Sire… can we sleep with you tonight?”

The look on his face made Zachary’s heart ache.

Taylor hugged Zachary’s arm and added softly, “We’ll sleep quietly, and we won’t take much space.”

The children clung to Zachary, their eyes brimming with expectation. Even someone with a heart of stone would have trouble refusing them.

Pulling them into his arms, Zachary caved. “Alright, let’s sleep together tonight.”

“Really?” Taylor sat up at once and planted a huge kiss on Zachary’s cheek, grinning from ear to ear. “You’re the best, Zachary!”

Zachary melted inside. He kissed Taylore back, then kissed Jaden on the cheek too.

Jaden lowered his eyes quietly, his ears turning red with delighted embarrassment.

The main area of the cave was empty by the time Matthew finished washing up and returned from the bathroom.

Following the voices, he opened the door to the inner chamber. Zachary was sitting on the bed with Talor and Jaden huddled against him on either side. They listened closely as he told them a story in a low, gentle voice. It was a warm and peaceful scene.

Leaning against the wall, Matthew stared at Zachary as though trying to pull his partner’s attention back to him with his gaze.

When Zachary finally noticed Matthew, he quickly climbed out of bed and walked over,

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Chapter 152 Sleeping with the Children

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Matthew’s expression instantly softened. There–I really am the most important person to him.

When Zachary took Matthew’s hand, Matthew felt as though he had taken his heart too.

But Zachary suddenly stopped when they reached the entrance to the next chamber. Hugging Matthew tightly, he kissed him lightly on the lips and whispered, “I’m sleeping with Taylor and Jaden tonight. Can you sleep alone?”

Matthew’s good mood vanished instantly. “No-”

Zachary kissed him again before he could finish his sentence, effectively sealing his lips.

“Can you?”

“No-”

After several rounds, Matthew finally relented. He wasn’t a selfish or unreasonable Alpha to begin with.

night.”

Wearing a blank expression, he answered flatly, “Just op

“You’re the best, Matthew.” Zachary hugged him again, then turned around and went back to the other room without a backward glance.

Matthew stared after Zachary in mild disbelief.

The way Zachary had turned away with such finality made the corners of his mouth droop in a visible sulk.

After standing there for a moment, he walked to the stove and grabbed some firewood. Then, under Zachary’s watchful gaze, he silently added more wood to the fire by their bed.

A wave of guilt washed over Zachary at the sight of Matthew’s slumped shoulders and lonely silhouette.

Matthew finished his task and walked to the bedside, calmly tucking the blankets snugly around Zachary.

Zachary clutched Matthew’s arm, suddenly feeling like the world’s biggest jerk. It felt as though he

ditched his spouse.

Matthew gently removed Zachary’s hand, his tone as considerate as ever. “Get some rest.”

just

That only made Zachary feel even worse. Leaning close, he whispered in Matthew’s ear, “Tomorrow night…”

Jaden sat there with his arms crossed. Watching as Matthew’s tightly pressed lips gradually returned to normal, he was tempted to reveal his father’s past “crimes” to Zachary.

The two children immediately burrowed into Zachary’s arms once Matthew left, hugging him tightly.

Taylor murmured, “Zachary, you smell so nice.”

Jaden pressed his face against Zachary, gently nuzzling him as though trying to wrap himself in Zachary’s

scent.

Stroking their backs tenderly, Zachary resumed his story.

His voice slowly grew softer and softer. Eventually, Taylor and Jaden glanced up and realized he had fallen asleep. They didn’t move away. Quietly lying there in his arms, they basked in the simple happiness.

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Chapter 152 Sleeping with the Children

On the other side of the wall, Matthew lay alone on the bed, unable to sleep. Without his warm, soft mate, even falling asleep seemed difficult.

Zachary woke once in the middle of the night. Half–asleep, he opened a bleary eye only to find Jaden staring at him.

He whispered, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Jaden looked down. “I slept too much last night.”

Under the firelight, Zachary reached out and stroked Jaden’s face. Though Jaden’s eyes and/brows resembled his own, his nose and mouth clearly took after Matthew. He was handsome with a cool, distant edge.

His personality, however, was almost an exact copy of Matthew’s as a child: quiet, dependable, and seemingly cold despite his soft heart.

Looking at the child made Zachary’s nose sting. This is my child–the child taken from me the moment he was

born…

Jaden felt the shift in Zachary’s mood. “What’s wrong, Sire?”

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