Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Coaxing Him

The smile on Zachary’s face was open and sincere, and the warmth in his eyes people would have found it hard to refuse him.

Finished

es was so bright that most

Matthew, however, was not most people.

“I’m not hungry.” His tone remained flat. The knife in his hand never paused, and his expression barely shifted.

To anyone else, he might have looked completely normal.

Zachary was not fooled. He knew he was definitely still upset,

After everything Matthew had done for him, Zachary felt he should be a little more patient. Everyone had moments when they became stubborn or sulky.

No matter what, he had to cheer him up tonight.

Taking a quiet breath, Zachary made up his mind and went all in.

He tore off a small piece of roasted meat and brought it to Matthew’s mouth, softening his voice as he coaxed him. “I didn’t give the last bit of chili powder to anyone else. I put it all on this for you. Hurry and

eat it.”

Matthew lowered his eyes and looked at him. “You eat it.”

Tsk. So stubborn. Zachary refused to give up. He waved the piece of meat lightly beneath Matthew’s nose and smiled. “It smells really good.”

The meat had just been taken

the fire and still carried some heat. Matthew’s gaze shifted downward and landed on Zachary’s slightly reddened fingertips. His brows drew together almost imperceptibly.

Then he lowered his head and took the meat from Zachary’s hand.

The moment he saw him eat it, Zachary’s lips curved into a real smile. That counts, right?

Encouraged, he immediately tore off another piece and offered it over.

“I ca

do it myself.” Matthew’s gaze brushed over the

5 of Zachary’s left hand. “Go eat.”

“It’s fine.” Zachary had no intention of stopping halfway. Since he had already started coaxing him, he might as well finish the job properly. His eyes curved into a cheerful smile. “You keep sharpening the knife. I’ll feed you a few more bites.”

“It’s hot,” Matthew said.

“Not at all,” Zachary insisted. “It doesn’t burn.”

*

Matthew looked at him with a tra

of helplessness. His expression remained taut, yet one bite after another was pressed into his mouth until he no longer had a chance to speak.

From Zachary’s point of view, the moment felt warm and unexpectedly gentle.

5

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Chapter 78 Coaxing Him

Finiste

From a distance, though, the scene looked a little different. With Zachary’s earnest movements and serious expression, it did not look especially romantic. It looked more like an old man persistently feeding a fussy child who refused to eat.

Fortunately, they were off to one side. Everyone else was busy with dinner, and no one seemed to notice.

After stuffing a large amount of meat into Matthew, the heaviness in Zachary’s chest finally eased. He took the food, so he can’t still be mad at me now… can he?

Still, Zachary did not dare leave just yet. Since he had come this far, he wanted to make sure the matter was truly settled.

Matthew glanced at him. “You’re not eating?”

Zachary smiled. “I had too much fruit earlier. I’m not hungry

Matthew did not respond.

They stayed sitting close together, wrapped in a quiet little pocket of stillness that felt completely separate from the lively noise around the fire.

Zachary hesitated for a moment. “Um…”

He turned his head, intending to poke Matthew’s arm, then remembered his hands were still greasy. In the end, he could only lift his oily fingers awkwardly and bump Matthew with his elbow instead.

“What is it?” Matthew’s gaze rested on him, calm and steady.

Zachary hesitated, then finally spoke. “About what happened today, can you stop being angry?”

Matthew remained silent.

“It really was an accident.” Zachary lowered his voice a little more. “And what he said doesn’t matter. Don’t take it seriously.”

He paused, then added with genuine sincerity, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to become mates with anyone else. The way things are now is already really good. I’m happy like this.”

Matthew leaned slightly closer.

**

His shadow stretched over Zachary, almost enveloping him. The hard lines of his features looked especially deep beneath the firelight, while the darkness in his golden eyes slowly began to thin.

When no answer came, Zachary assumed he had not done enough.

Then he remembered Elias‘ advice.

He cleared his throat and forced himself to continue, “I don’t like Hubert at all. I was only being nice to him because he saved me.

Then he added, trying his best to sound serious, “He‘ as nice as yours either.”

not as good–looking as you, and his body isn’t nearly

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Chapter 78 78

hexing Him

Once he started, the words came out faster.

Finishes

“Look at you. Broad shoulders, a slim waist, long legs, and all those abs…” He paused briefly, embarrassed. but still pushed on. “Your body is incredible. No matter how hard most people trained, they still wouldn’t be able to look like that.”

He stole a glance at Matthew.

Matthew’s face revealed almost nothing.

With no better choice, Zachary kept going. “You’re strong and brave. You bring back so much prey every time. Being with you just makes people feel safe.”

After that, he poured out every compliment he could think of in one breath.

The gentle glow of the fire reflected in Zachary’s face, soft and bright, and all of it was mirrored clearly in Matthew’s eyes. Before he even noticed it himself, the corners of Matthew’s lips had already begun to lift.

By then, Kyle, Ethan, and the others had finished eating and grown bored.

Without making a sound, they crept around behind Matthew and Zachary, crouched in a neat row behind the bushes, and pricked up their ears shamelessly.

By sheer luck, they heard every last word of Zachary’s praise from beginning to end.

Watching Matthew’s permanently frozen expression thaw bit by bit, they quickly covered their mouths, terrified that even the smallest noise would expose them and get them beaten.

Matthew kept his eyes on Zachary. “Are you finished?”

Zachary froze. “Huh? Ah… yes. Finished.”

He had never lavished praise on anyone like that before. Matthew’s expression had barely changed, yet Zachary’s ears were already burning red, and he no longer dared meet his eyes.

After a beat, he asked in a smaller voice, “So, are you still angry?”

In truth, Matthew did not really want to admit he had been angry in the first place. For some reason, though, he still chose to follow along. “I’m not angry.”

The moment Zachary heard that, his eyes brightened immediately. “Really?”

Matthew looked at him. “How do you want me to prove it?”

“Then smile.

Zachary had not actually expected him to do it

Yet when he lifted his head, he caught the faint trace of

He looks so good. Zachary went still for a b

amusement in Matthew’s eyes.

At last, he had managed to coax him out of his mood. Relief spread through him all at once, and he let out a long breath.

III

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JM

Chapter 78 Coaxing Him

Matthew’s voice softened. “Don’t wander off by yourself again.”

Finished

“Okay.” Zachary nodded at once, then added without the slightest sharne, “From now on, I’m followin