Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68 A Sudden Bite

The trip turned out to be worthwhile, and the sight of the plump garlic bulbs left Zachary feeling exhilarated.

Harper noticed Wesley rise and move away, so he called out, “Where are you going?”

Wesley replied without much concern, “I drank too much water.”

Harper offered to accompany him, “Do you want me to go with you?”

Wesley declined politely, “No need. I’ll be back soon.”

He glanced back over his shoulder to confirm no one was watching, then quickened his pace.

Just moments earlier, he had spotted a bright green snake coiled around a tree branch.

Once it dropped into the grass, it became nearly invisible unless someone paid close attention. Members of the Black Panther Tribe were skilled at hunting snakes, and they often included them in their meals. They knew how to seize one correctly–grabbing it just behind the head ensured success.

This particular snake was highly territorial and quick–tempered. When threatened, it was more likely to attack and bite than flee.

Zachary sat on the ground with his legs crossed, casually brushing sweat from his brow with his sleeve, clearly in high spirits thanks to the garlic in front of him.

After drying and bringing it back, it would store well for a long time. Even the stems, though slightly aged, were still usable.

Leaning back on his hands, Zachary considered calling Quincy and the others over so they could search the area further. There had to be more nearby, and since they had come all this way, they might as well gather as much as possible.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his wrist.

Zachary jerked his arm back and looked down to see two small puncture wounds on the inside of his wrist, with blood beginning to seep out.

A green blur slipped away and vanished into the grass.

The moment he recognized the bite, all the color drained from his face.

Cold sweat formed on his forehead, his lips turned pale and trembled, and his heartbeat accelerated as his breathing became unsteady.

His fear of snakes was something most people could never truly understand.

It dated back to his childhood, when he lived in a rural mud–brick home with his grandparents.

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14:56 Fri, Jun 5

JM

Chapter 68 A Sudden Bite

One autumn morning, while his grandparents were out working in the fields, he had been asleep alone in a small room.

A thick brown snake, marked with black patterns, had been coiled along a roof beam. It silently slid down onto his bed and wrapped itself tightly around his body.

He woke up suddenly, gasping for breath, only to find himself face–to–face with dark green eyes and a flicking red forked tongue–the sight nearly terrified him to death.

The snake constricted him so tightly that his face flushed red, and he couldn’t even cry out. He struggled desperately, kicking against the table beside the bed.

The crash of a cup hitting the floor alerted the dog in the yard.

Because the courtyard walls were low and sounds traveled easily, the nearby adults heard the barking and rushed over. That intervention was the only reason the snake didn’t kill and swallow him.

Later, they explained that the snake had likely been watching him for days, waiting for the right moment.

Zachary felt his legs weaken, and after several attempts, he managed to stand, though his movements were unsteady.

His mind felt empty as he clutched his injured wrist and staggered toward the sweet potato field, calling out Matthew’s name without thinking.

Matthew, who had realized Zachary was missing and set out to find him, felt some relief when he heard his voice.

However, that relief vanished the moment he saw him injured.

“What happened?” Matthew rushed forward and caught him. “What’s wrong?”

Like he was grasping a lifeline, Zachary looked up, his face pale and his voice trembling. “Matthew, I… I think I was bitten by a snake.”

“A snake bit you?” Matthew’s expression changed instantly. “Where?”

Zachary’s hands and feet felt icy, and he raised his wrist stiffly, panic written across his face. “Matthew, am I going to die?”

“Don’t say things like that.” Matthew bent down and placed his mouth over the wound, forcefully sucking out the blood.

The pain made Zachary frown, but he forced himself to stay still.

After spitting out several mouthfuls of blood, Matthew asked seriously, “What did the snake look like?”

“It was green. Matthew, was it poisonous?” Zachary sat weakly on the ground, his body limp and drained.

Matthew observed him closely. Since Zachary’s lips were not turning purple and he could still speak, it didn’t appear to be a lethal bite.

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14:56 Fri, Jun 5

JM

Chapter 68 A Sudden Bite

Zachary grimaced. “I feel dizzy and nauseous… like I might throw up.”

Matthew pulled him into a reassuring embrace, speaking in a calm tone. “Don’t be afraid. You’ll be okay.”

By that point, the wound had begun to numb. Taking it as reassurance, Zachary whispered in broken sentences, “Matthew, if I die… remember to burn my body… I don’t want insects crawling on me… or animals digging me up.”

Matthew shot him a sharp look. “Stop saying that kind of nonsense.”

Zachary fell silent at once, shrinking into Matthew’s arms with his head lowered, looking pitiful.

Seeing his reaction, Matthew immediately regretted raising his voice and softened his tone. “Trust me. won’t let anything happen to you.”

Because there were many types of green snakes, and he couldn’t identify it himself, Matthew quickly set off to find someone more experienced, such as Garrett.

The male in his arms remained quiet.

Matthew called his name again, concern creeping into his voice.

Zachary responded in a faint, muffled voice.

At that moment, Ryker, who had just finished checking the area, spotted Matthew carrying Zachary and asked in confusion, “What’s going on?”

The moment Zachary saw what Ryker was holding, his eyes widened sharply. Gripping Matthew’s sleeve tightly, he blurted out, “That’s the snake–it looked like that.”

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