Transmigrated to Raise Panther Cubs novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: One Pile of Furs

The blizzard hit before they reached the cave.

By the time they stumbled through the mouth, Tuck was inside Thad's coat and Dock inside Wystan's vest.

The wind had found a voice, and the snow came sideways.

Wystan dragged a slab of rock across the entrance and packed the gap with furs.

Thad built the fire up until it roared.

They fed the cubs hot stew and honey cakes.

Then they tucked them into the warm back chamber, beside the spring, in a nest of every blanket they owned.

"Pebble," Tuck said sleepily, and set a small round stone on Thad's pillow, and curled up with Dock's head under his chin.

"Goodnight, head taster."

"Goodnight, Thad."

Thad stood a moment looking down at them.

When he came back out into the firelight, Wystan was sitting beside the flames.

Not at the edge.

Right beside them, on the near side of the fire at last, with his knees drawn up and his hands hanging between them.

He looked huge and uncertain in the glow.

"This is the first time," he said.

"Yes."

"It's warmer than I thought."

Thad laughed softly, crossed the floor, and sat down next to him.

The heat from the big body rolled across his shoulder.

"I said slow," Thad said. "I meant it. A week of just kissing, and then we see."

"A week," Wystan repeated.

"A week," Thad said.

Wystan's tail twitched.

"That's what you said."

"It's what I said."

Wystan nodded gravely.

His tail twitched.

"Then I'll sleep by the fire."

The wind howled against the stone.

It found the gaps and shrieked through them, and the temperature in the cave dropped as though a hand had closed around it.

Thad pulled the nearest blanket over his knees.

Beside him Wystan's teeth clicked once.

"You're cold," Thad said.

"I'm fine."

"You're shaking."

Wystan looked away.

"It's the draft."

Thad pulled the blanket higher around him.

"Wystan."

"It's a draft."

Thad turned to look at him.

The gold eyes were already on him.

"You can't sleep out here tonight," Thad said. "It's going to be cold enough to split rocks."

"A week, you said."

"It's a blizzard."

Wystan's ears went dark.

"You said a week, Thad. Those were the terms."

"I'm aware of the terms." Thad's mouth quirked. "Is this you throwing them back at me?"

Wystan's ears went dark.

"A little."

"I'd say you've earned it." Thad stood and held out his hand. "Come to the furs."

"You said a week of just kissing," Wystan said, his voice low and rough.

Thad lowered his hand and stepped closer.

"I was wrong," he said. "I want you tonight."

Wystan rose.

He was a head taller than Thad, and broader, and for a moment he simply stood there, looking down, with his chest rising and falling.

"I haven't," he said. "I don't know how."

"Neither do I."

Wystan's breath caught.

"You said you'd never kissed anyone."

"I haven't done any of it."

Something broke open in the big man's face.

He reached out and drew Thad against his chest, and Thad felt the thunder of a heart under his cheek.

"Then we'll learn," Wystan said into his hair.

← Chapter 10 · All chapters · Chapter 12 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend