Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65 So Glad I Met You

“Quincy, Elias, I’m so lucky to have met you both.”

“Aww…” Elias popped a berry into Zachary’s mouth and pulled them into a hug. “We’re the ones who should be saying that. I could have never imagined eating all the food we’ve gotten to try if it weren’t for you.”

Wrapped tightly in their arms, Zachary felt a warm sensation fill his chest and sniffled.

Quincy gently rubbed his back. “You have no idea how incredible you are.”

Elias chimed in at once. “Exactly. We’re sticking with you from now on.”

Matthew took a pause from slicing the meat and glanced over at them. Shiny items? Is that what he likes?

When they went digging in the mountains, they’d stumble upon strange stones, each one unique in its inher hues. When cracked open, the stones would shimmer with a soft, translucent glow under the sunlight. One time, Henry and the others had found one in emerald, green that was as beautiful as a lake.

It reminded them of the merfolk who lived by the sea, with their shimmering white pearls that were said to glow softly in the moonlight. Perhaps they could trade for some of them?

He was so lost in his thoughts that he forgot what he was doing.

“What’s on your mind?” Yael nudged him gently.

“Nothing.” Matthew turned back to his work and focused on setting the skewers over the fire.

The sacks of sweet potatoes and mushrooms they’d gathered that day were stacked beneath the tree. Ethan and Kyle took some out. The sweet potatoes were tossed into the fire, while the mushrooms were skewered and set above it.

The night crept in on a cool breeze. The heap of branches and dry leaves burned in the forest, crackling and snapping through the cold. The fire flickered warmly. Since they huddled close to each other, the chill was surprisingly tolerable.

There were six sub–therians in their group in total.

Apart from the three of them, there were three others. Diego and Jeremy were both easy to get along with. Then, there was Garrett, who looked older in age. He rarely smiled, but he was the most experienced among ‘them. In fact, he was the one who’d led them to the sweet potatoes.

According to Quincy, Garrett was no ordinary sub–therian. He was no weaker than the therians. Once, he even fended off a beast that had stormed into the tribe and rescued a vulnerable cub from its hands all by himself.

Zachary looked at him with admiration in his eyes.

Quincy went on, “He saved Ryker once too. They’ve been mates since then. They used to go hunting together all the time.”

14:55 Fri, Jun 5 M.

Chapter 65 So Glad I Met You

“Hang on. Ryker is Garrett’s mate?” Zachary whispered, surprised. “Then? Why aren’t they in the same group?”

Elias leaned in. “They split up for some reason.”

“Why?”

“Apparently…” he glanced around before lowering his voice again. “Ryker rescued a sub–therian during a hunt once. That sub–therian got super attached and clingy. He even followed him all the way back to the tribe. When Garrett found out, he beat Ryker up, then they parted ways.”

“Which one is Ryker?” Zachary craned his neck and peered toward the other group.

“That one.” Elias pointed.

Zachary hadn’t expected drama like this in this world. “So? How’d Ryker react?”

“He didn’t think much of it at first. But when Garrett booted him out of the cave, that’s when he completely lost it.”

Booted out with nothing? Strangely, that felt oddly satisfying to Zachary, and he asked. “What about that sub- therian?”

Elias shrugged. “He was sent back, but Garrett still won’t forgive him.”

“Serves him right then,” Zachary muttered.

“Exactly.” Elias nodded hard. Then, he sighed with envy, “If I were as tough as Garrett, I’d knock all the therians flat.”

Quincy laughed. “Better start training, then.”

That conversation made Zachary respect Garrett even more.

Before the cold, animals usually fattened themselves up to survive the long winter. The antelope–like roast they were having tonight was no exception. It had very thick fat, and it sizzled as it popped over the fire. Glistening drops of fat dripped into the fire with a crackle, and the smell hit them all at once.

The other two groups followed Zachary’s lead, skewering mushrooms and throwing them over their own fires. He tried the berries Quincy and Elias gave him. They were big and juicy, with a slight tanginess.

When he asked where they’d picked them, Quincy pointed toward the dense woods not far away. The bushes were knee–high, so they had to stoop down and hunt for the berries one at a time. It was a hassle, but since the blue color stood out, they weren’t hard to spot.

Zachary thought it over and decided to pick more before heading back. He could make jam with them later, and that way they’d last longer.

To Elias and Quincy, the word “jam” had already made their mouths water.

Elias asked, “What does jam taste like?”

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14:55 Fri, Jun 5 M.

Chapter 65 So Glad I Met You

Thinking of the fillings in breads and cakes, Zachary replied, “Sweet and tangy,” he answered. “And it’s got that fresh, fruity smell.”

“Alright. Let’s pick a ton, then.”

Dinner was just about done.

Zachary used a stick and rolled the potatoes out of the fire.

He wrapped them in leaves before peeling off the charred skin.

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