“We’ll find out soon,” he said quietly. At last, Ben returned, his face weary but relieved. He crouched in front of Noah, lowering his voice as though sharing a secret. “You were right all along. It was a puppy. Weak, hungry, hurt…but it’s going to be alright. King wasn’t sick—he was protecting it.” Noah’s eyes widened. “Protecting it from what?”
Ben glanced back toward the enclosure. “From the other lions. From us, too. He didn’t want anyone near it while it was hurt. That’s why he stopped eating, why he stayed in that corner. He gave up his own comfort just to keep it safe.” Daniel tightened his arm around his son, feeling the weight of the explanation settle in his chest.