Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 3

"Zachary, you're awake!" Quincy called out, rushing forward as he spotted the sub-therian standing in the clearing near the cave.

Hearing the voice, Zachary lifted his gaze. The young man before him had sharp, neat features and carried a calm, gentle demeanor.

He studied him for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Who... are you?"

Jaden, who had been pulling weeds at the cave entrance, walked over and explained, "Quincy, my sire hit his head and doesn't remember anything."

Quincy blinked in surprise, his brows furrowing. "What? Did you see the shaman for a consultation?"

"I'm alright," Zachary replied, leaning forward with sincerity. "Jaden told me you saved me today. Quincy, thank you. Truly."

"N-No worries," Quincy stammered, waving his hands repeatedly. "People in the tribe just help each other."

He couldn't help feeling a flicker of shock. The polite, grateful Zachary in front of him was so different from the rude, arrogant one he remembered.

Among the sub-therians, Zachary hadn't earned much respect, and the therians' jealousy toward Matthew had slowly softened into sympathy.

But because of his mate, Yael's connection to Matthew—and Quincy's naturally kind heart—even if Zachary had been difficult, Quincy still tried to care for both father and son.

"Oh, right." Quincy remembered why he'd come and handed over the food he had brought. "This is for you."

Zachary hesitated at first, but when he saw the vivid red fruits, his eyes brightened. After having meat, the juicy fruits were a welcome relief. "Where did you get these, Quincy?" he asked eagerly.

Quincy explained patiently, knowing Zachary didn't remember. "Yesterday I went gathering with the other sub-therians. When the therians go hunting, we collect fruits and greens. The forest is dangerous, so we always go in groups. The tribe leaves a few therians behind to protect us."

Zachary perked up instantly, memories of running through the mountains with his grandparents resurfacing. "Can I come next time?" he asked excitedly.

Quincy was taken aback. "You want to go gathering?"

"Yeah! Is that alright? I promise I won't cause any trouble." Zachary's eyes shone.

"Of course," Quincy said, smiling. Zachary showing interest in gathering was a good sign.

Taylor, who had been hiding behind Quincy, jumped out when he spotted Jaden.

He grabbed Jaden's arm and pulled him aside, inspecting him carefully before whispering with concern, "Did your sire hit you again?"

Zachary sometimes struck in hard-to-see spots, so Taylor had to check.

"No," Jaden replied, shaking his head.

"Really?" Taylor asked skeptically, remembering past lies.

"Really," Jaden reassured him, patting his hand. "I'm not lying this time."

Taylor finally relaxed, slipping a leaf-wrapped roast into Jaden's hand. "Eat this, quickly."

Jaden pushed it back. "We've already eaten. We don't know when Alpha will return, so you keep it."

"No way!" Taylor argued, his temper the opposite of Quincy's. Growing up together, he had always been especially bossy with Jaden. "Just eat it. Don't let your sire see this."

Jaden glanced toward the adults chatting nearby, then quietly pulled Taylor into the cave.

"What is it?" Taylor asked, tense.

Jaden opened a small bowl. "Try this. It's really good."

Taylor picked up a golden, crispy piece and popped it into his mouth. His eyes lit up. "Woah! This is crunchy and smells amazing! Jaden, it's incredible!"

Seeing Taylor so pleased, Jaden couldn't help smiling. "They're cracklings. My sire made them."

"Your sire?" Taylor's eyes widened in disbelief. "He actually cooked for you?"

"Yeah," Jaden said softly. "I don't know why, but he changed after waking up."

"Do you think he'll stay like this?" Taylor leaned on Jaden's shoulder. "No yelling, no hitting... and he even cooks for you."

Jaden shook his head. "I don't know."

"Taylor, time to go home." Quincy's voice called from outside.

Seeing it was time to leave, Jaden wrapped the cracklings in leaves and stuffed them into Taylor's beast-hide pouch. "Take these home."

Taylor clutched the pouch like treasure, eyes gleaming. "You're the best, Jaden."

"I'm leaving now," Taylor said, taking his sire's hand, pausing briefly, then doubling back. "Jaden, don't forget—we're hunting tomorrow!"

"Got it," Jaden replied.

Zachary, standing nearby, looked surprised. "You're hunting at your age?"

Unlike any latrine he'd known, the pit was teeming with greenery, and there was no sign of waste.

Curious, he asked when he came out, "What kind of plants are those?"

"Twistgrass," Jaden replied, stepping ahead into the moonlight. "They'll consume anything. Whatever goes in, they can handle it."

"That's impressive," Zachary muttered, sighing. "No wonder it stays so clean. A person from our time might mistake it for a landscaped park."

Even after only half a day, Jaden had grown nearly immune to the strange things Zachary said.

The season brought wide swings in temperature. A chilly night breeze crept in, and Zachary shivered.

The beast-hide he wore was high-quality—something that would have been a luxury in the modern world—but the stitching was crude, gaps letting the draft through, making it far from cozy.

He quickened his steps, only feeling relief once he returned to the cave. He rubbed his arms, crouching near the fire to warm himself, debating whether to light one in the inner cave as well.

But feeling the heat and remembering the thick fur on his bedding, he decided it wasn't necessary.

Jaden had already grown drowsy. He went to the grass pile in the main cave, collapsed onto it, and prepared to sleep.

Zachary glanced over and saw the boy curled into the corner, half-covered, half-lying on a strip of beast-hide, looking vulnerable and small.

He approached. "You're sleeping here?"

Jaden sat up, frowning. "Why? What's wrong?"

The calm, habitual expression on the boy's face stirred something complicated in Zachary. "Come sleep with me in the inner cave. The entrance is drafty. You'll catch a cold," he suggested.

Jaden's lashes quivered as he lowered his gaze. "I always sleep here. It's not cold."

Zachary couldn't convince him and let out a quiet sigh.

As he turned away, Jaden barely noticed at first. He had to get to sleep if he wanted to wake early for tomorrow, but after a few moments, he felt a thick layer of beast-hide draped over him.

Zachary had moved silently, tucking the hide snugly around the boy before slipping back.

The fire slowly dimmed.

Nestled in the wide, warm bedding, Jaden stared at the sooty gray stone wall, his thoughts wandering.