Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32 The Hot Spring

After Yael learned how to prepare omelets and fried pork crackling, he grew eager to bring Quincy back and test his new skills. The cave settled into silence once again.

Zachary and Jaden sat beside the fire. One carefully lifted the clay-wrapped bundle from the flames, while the other used a stone to chip away the hardened outer layer of mud.

The leaves inside had already turned a yellowish brown, and a rich aroma burst out the moment it was exposed, impossible to contain.

“Ouch!” Zachary reached out to touch it, but immediately jerked his hand back, hissing as the heat stung his fingers.

Matthew approached and swiftly peeled back the leaves wrapped around the quacking beast. Grease prickled down his fingers as the fresh scent of the leaves blended with the savory smell of meat, thickening the air inside the cave.

“Set it down here,” Zachary said, spreading two large leaves flat across the stone surface. Nearby rested roasted venison and a wild greens omelet.

Matthew tore into the quacking beast as he worked, separating the meat into tender pieces while juices dripped everywhere.

With his eating sticks, Zachary picked up a leg and placed it in front of Jaden, smiling as he said, “Eat it while it’s still hot.”

When Jaden looked down, he found another leg already set in front of him. He gave a slight smile. “Thank you.”

Matthew retrieved his eating sticks and calmly took a piece of roasted venison, its outside crisp and its inside still soft and juicy.

“Can you collect some branches and vines tomorrow?” Zachary asked. “The nights are getting colder, and the wind’s been strong. I want to reinforce the cave entrance.”

“Okay,” came the quiet reply.

After the meal, Matthew naturally cleaned the pot thoroughly, then went out to fetch water and refilled the nearly empty stone vat.

Zachary stayed behind, tending to the fire.

When Matthew glanced over and saw Zachary pouring water into the pot, he found it puzzling.

Zachary explained, “I’m going to heat some water so I can take a bath.”

After a brief pause, Matthew said, “There’s a hot spring in the mountains where I bathe. I can take you there.”

“Great!” Zachary immediately stood up. “I’ll go grab my clothes.”

Matthew shifted into his beast form and allowed both Zachary and Jaden to climb onto his back.

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The black panther disappeared into the night, moving swiftly through the forest.

The hot spring lay among the rocks halfway up the mountain, forming several pools of varying sizes, all releasing curling streams of steam.

Zachary chose a smaller pool near the edge and carefully stepped down into the water. The warmth embraced him at once.

He let out a relaxed breath. The pool was shallow, and even while seated, the water only reached just above his shoulders. Soon, the rising steam made him sweat.

Since it was nighttime, Matthew and Jaden didn’t venture far. They settled into spots nearby, removed their beast-hides, and entered the water as well.

Suddenly, faint voices drifted through the air.

Zachary tensed instantly. Unable to see clearly, he lowered his voice and called, “Matthew? Jaden?”

Matthew responded calmly, “It’s fine. Just other members of the tribe.”

Zachary relaxed and leaned back again, letting himself sink into the warm water.

After a while, his body grew so loose and comfortable that it felt like floating on a cloud, light and slightly

numb.

“Sire, it’s time to head back,” Jaden said.

“Right.” The moment Zachary stepped out, the cold air hit him sharply, making him shiver. He quickly dressed in the clothes he had brought.

Back in the cave, the fire still burned brightly, casting flickering light across the stone walls.

Zachary stared at Matthew’s sleeping area, and a wave of guilt crept over him. He was staying in Matthew’s cave, using the best beast-hide, eating the meat Matthew hunted, while Matthew himself still slept there.

What made it worse was how kind Matthew was about everything.

That only made Zachary feel more uneasy.

He walked over and said, “Matthew, when you have time, build another room inside the cave.”

“Okay.” Matthew gave a single nod without asking any questions.

That night, the wind howled relentlessly, shaking the outside trees so violently that the sounds carried even through the stone walls.

When Zachary woke the next morning, Matthew and Jaden were nowhere in sight.

After washing up, he stepped outside and searched around but still couldn’t find them.

He returned inside, filled the stone pot with water, and placed it over the fire to heat. Then he took several quacking beast eggs from storage, beat them, added warm water from the pot, and mixed in a pinch of salt.

10:42 Fri, Jun 5 MO

Chapter 32 The Hot Spring

With no steamer available, he placed stones into the pot, set a large stone bowl on top, covered it, and allowed it to steam slowly over low heat.

With nothing else to do, Zachary grabbed a stone and began striking the ground nearby, planning to carve out a small pit to create a stove.

Sometimes he needed to boil one dish while frying another, and constantly moving the stone pot and slab up and down was inconvenient and time-consuming. He could only manage one task at a time.

The ground was tough, and after just a few strikes, the impact made his hands ache. Still, he continued. brushing aside the broken pieces and pounding away.

The steamed eggs were nearly ready. Using beast-hide to protect his hands, Zachary carefully lifted the stone pot and repositioned it over the fire. He then placed the stone slab on top and stir-fried sliced tenderloin with wild onions.

Finally, he fried two large portions of moo beast meat separately for Matthew and Jaden, completing breakfast.

When they still hadn’t returned, Zachary continued working on his makeshift construction project.

The sound of chopping and digging echoed through the cave, growing closer. Matthew appeared first, carrying branches over his shoulder, while Jaden followed behind with a large bundle of vines.

“You’re back!” Zachary greeted them with a smile. “Breakfast is ready.”

Matthew set down the materials he had gathered. As requested, he had chosen straight, sturdy tree trunks about as thick as a fist.

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Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs