Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44 Vine-Woven Goods

“Come check it out!” Zachary called.

Matthew took in the scene before him. Something inside his chest shifted, like a pebble skipping across still water, sending ripples through it. “You worked hard on this.”

Zachary caught that faint smile on his face, and his chest tightened. He stepped a little closer, the words slipping out before he could stop himself. “Matthew, you should smile more. You look really good when you do.”

Matthew spoke up out of nowhere. “You like it?”

Zachary didn’t even hesitate. He nodded right away.

His features are already sharp, carrying that natural edge. Of course, he looks better when he smiles. It softens him,

makes seem warmer.

“O

thew’s expression turned serious, like he was making some kind of solemn promise.

Zachary pointed toward a door tucked in the corner of the cave’s living area. “I might need your ing it.”

inely made door. Once shut, it completely sealed off the space on the other side.

ew looked at the two caves, separated by a single wall, with their doors sitting side by side. For some on, a quiet heaviness settled in his chest. It felt like the two caves were farther apart than before.

Ever since everyone had tasted Zachary’s cooking, his reputation in the tribe had been climbing fast.

The cubs, especially, swarmed him whenever they saw him. They would drift over near his cave, peeking around, looking for Jaden and Taylor playing in the woods nearby.

Zachary loved having them around. He always greeted them with a smile. When he lounged in the sun and they gathered close, he would tell them fun little fairy tales.

The cubs stared up at him with wide, round eyes. Their long lashes fluttered as they listened. Each one was completely locked in, hanging on every word.

Some of them even shifted into little black panthers and curled up against him. He pet them until his hands practically went numb.

Matthew had been away these past couple of days, so Zachary looked for something to keep himself busy. His attention landed on the vines the cubs used for play, so he went into the nearby woods and cut some down.

The cubs noticed he liked them and rushed straight into the forest, each one hauling back a huge bundle to give him.

Zachary had made some wild berry pastries. The honey at home was all gone, but luckily, the berries were sweet enough on their own, so they still tasted pretty good.

The cubs got their share of the

es and threw themselves into work even harder, spending

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Chapter 44 Vine-Woven Goods

nearly the whole day helping him handle the vines.

By evening, they reluctantly headed home, leaving the vine-cooking work to Jaden and Taylor.

Those two kids were all in. Especially Taylor, who now had a perfect excuse to get a free meal and worried he might slack off even a little.

Once the vines were processed and dried, they could be used to weave baskets, totes, backpacks, even lounge chairs and beds.

Zachary started by weaving some baskets to hold things. Quincy and Elias saw him and jumped in to learn too. They picked it up quickly, and soon the thin vines were crossing over one another, creating delicate yet practical containers. The more they worked, the more into it they got.

Alfred and Bruce were amazed and asked if he could teach the rest of the tribe. If they learned this skill, they wouldn’t have to trade just meat and beast hides with other tribes anymore.

Zachary agreed happily. It was slow work alone. It only really worked with more hands.

Alfred immediately called the tribe together to learn. At first, everyone just watched, curious. But when the finished pieces came out, they were completely stunned.

As a reward, Alfred took him to the tribe’s storage room to pick out whatever he wanted. Later, when the tribe traded vine-made items with other tribes, he could join in, have first pick, and exercise decision- making power.

The moment Zachary stepped into the cave, he was drawn to the rows of beast hides on the shelves. He walked over to take a closer look, and his eyes finally landed on a few silvery-gray hides.

“These are snow wolf hides. Pretty rare,” Alfred said.

Zachary couldn’t help picturing Matthew. The color and texture felt just right for him.

He decided he wanted them immediately. At first, he felt a little shy about asking since there were only a few hides in the huge cave.

Alfred, however, agreed without hesitation and handed over the snow wolf hides right away.

Zachary thanked him and already had a rough mental blueprint. He figured that stitching these hides together and adding some other colored hides for accents would be enough to make Matthew a full outfit.

The big collection event had to be postponed due to the rain.

The rain started at night, but by evening, strong winds were already blowing, bending branches all over.

Zachary hurried with Jaden to bring in the things drying outside.

Especially the chili peppers and berries, which were his treasures. Two days ago, he had struggled with Quincy and the others to pick them from a slope, even taking a fall that left his knees bruised and purple.

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Chapter 44 Vine Woven Goods

Now, staring at the dark, heavy clouds, he was worried.

Matthew hadn’t come back yet. They hadn’t gone far this time, just to the river valley, but outside in this storm, the temperature was really low.

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Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs