Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 253

Chapter 253 Eggs Among the River Grass

+5 Pearls

When Zachary came closer, he noticed that Matthew was still damp. He touched Matthew’s arm and found his skin cold. “Where did you go?”

Matthew replied, “I took a bath in the river.”

Therians had strong bodies, and Zachary knew that well. Still, the morning air had not fully warmed yet. He immediately pulled Matthew into a sunny spot, then hurried back into the cave to get him some clothes.

Later, Zachary asked, “Why did you bathe in the river so early?”

Matthew looked completely calm. “I ran around the mountain. I sweated a little.”

Zachary did not keep asking. After Matthew changed, Zachary pressed him down onto a stool, took a piece of beast hide, and stood beside him to dry his hair. “Stay here and warm yourself for a while.”

Then Zachary brought Jaden into the cave to prepare breakfast. They were going out to collect quacking- beast eggs today, and they might not return before noon, so he made extra food to bring along.

The smoked meat had released plenty of fat, and that rich flavor soaked deep into the fresh spring bamboo shoots. When wrapped in a thin flatbread with some wild onion, each bite was fragrant enough to make a person’s whole body feel light.

Once the water came to a boil, Zachary slowly poured in the beaten eggs. Thin golden ribbons spread through the broth. He added scallions, dried river greens, and a pinch of salt, making a simple soup that warmed the stomach nicely.

He also steamed a batch of wild blossom cakes. Dipped in sauce, they tasted fresh, balanced out the richness of the meat, and filled everyone up.

When therian cubs grew older, their beast ears and tails did not always appear at the same time in human form. At first, the change was also hard to control. Sometimes, once the ears and tail came out, the cub could not pull them back in right away.

Jaden seemed to be going through that stage.

While Jaden tended the fire, Zachary kept reaching over to move his tail away from the flames. Sometimes he simply wrapped the tail around the cub’s waist, afraid the soft fur might get singed.

Since Zachary liked his ears and tail, Jaden did not seem eager to hide them. He kept them out the entire morning. Zachary’s attention stayed fixed on him, even during breakfast.

Matthew pinched Zachary’s leg to show his dissatisfaction.

Zachary completely missed it. He continued smiling at Jaden and even shifted a little closer to him.

After breakfast, Zachary packed the food they needed for the trip. Matthew and Jaden squatted beside the water basin, washing the pots and bowls.

Matthew glanced at the cub from the side. “Put them away.”

11:15 am

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Chapter 253 Eggs Among the River Grass

+5 Pearls.

Jaden shook his head. “I cannot.”

Matthew’s expression clearly showed that he did not believe him.

Jaden let out a small sigh. “Alpha, am really not lying.”

Matthew replied, “Then put on your hood.”

He looked at the swaying black tail. “Tuck your tail into your pants too.”

Jaden went quiet.

For some reason, the cub suddenly felt that his Alpha could be rather childish. He was even a little unreasonable.

Jaden thought, So this is what adults are like. They really do act differently depending on who they are facing.

Once everything was ready, the family of three headed out. When they arrived at Quincy’s cave, Yael and Taylor were already waiting outside. Both of them grinned and waved at Zachary and Jaden.

Yael leaned closer and instantly caught the scent coming from Zachary’s backpack. Since Matthew was standing right there, and since he had just eaten, Yael still managed to keep the last bit of dignity he had left. He did not immediately beg for food.

“Jaden, your ears!” Taylor hugged Jaden and bounced with excitement. “Your tail is out too!”

“Let me touch them!” Yael reached over, took Jaden straight from his own cub’s arms, lifted him, and spun him around.

Taylor stretched out both hands in panic, ready to catch him. “Alpha, can you be gentle?”

Jaden struggled a little before Quincy finally rescued him.

The last flock of quacking beasts they had found had been near the river. Two black panthers raced through the dense forest, bringing everyone to the place very quickly.

After Jaden changed back into human form, his ears and tail disappeared as well. Taylor looked disappointed. His hands were still half–raised before he slowly lowered them.

Jaden comforted him, “I will show you again when we get home.”

Taylor nodded and followed after him. His thoughts had already drifted to the day when he would be able to show his own ears and tail.

The river valley stretched wide and open. Sunlight scattered over the water, making the surface shine like broken stars. On both sides of the river, grass nearly two feet tall rolled in the breeze like a green tide.

The two cubs moved through the grass as if they were swimming. They pushed aside the thick blades, kept their bodies low, and searched carefully for quacking–beast nests.

Yael and Matthew both watched the flock in the middle of the river.

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11:15 am

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Chapter 258 Eggs Among the River Grass

+5 Pearls

Yael was thinking about the quacking beast Zachary had roasted last time. The skin had been crisp, the meat had been tender, and the flavor had been rich without turning greasy.

Matthew’s reason was different. Zachary wanted to raise quacking beasts, and several small yellow chicks were swimming among the flock.

Zachary and Quincy did not go into the water. They crouched in a low patch near the riverbank, where a cluster of pea shoots grew thickly. The tender tips could be pinched off for soup, served cold, or dropped into a broth fondue. No matter how they were prepared, they would taste good.

After filling one basket, Zachary walked a little farther and found cilantro hidden among the weeds. It blended in so well that anyone careless would have missed it

Taylor and Jaden had sharp eyes and quick hands. Before long, they had already gathered a pile of pale blue–green eggs.

Out on the water, the quacking beasts flapped their wings and screamed wildly, sounding as if they were cursing everyone at the top of their lungs. None of them dared to come close

Taylor giggled as he ran back and forth through the grass. His small figure bobbed between the swaying blades, and he looked as happy as if he were playing instead of working.

“Quack!”

“Quack, quack!”

A sudden burst of frantic cries exploded from the river,

Everyone turned toward the sound. Zachary and the others looked over just in time to see two black panthers cutting through the water. Their dark bodies rose and sank beneath the clear surface as they charged straight toward the flock.

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