But Shira didn’t move. She wasn’t pacing or charging. She was just holding her ground, roaring back with deep, thunderous bellows that made the air vibrate. “Whoa,” Caleb murmured. “They’re really going at it.” Ethan turned when he saw them approach, his tone light but wary. “Morning excitement,” he said with a faint grin.
“Looks like the younger ones got too close to her corner. She doesn’t have the patience she used to.” One of the other keepers laughed, shaking his head. “Probably stole her breakfast again.” Caleb chuckled, relieved, but Lily didn’t smile. Her eyes stayed fixed on Shira; the way her muscles were tense yet unmoving, the way her head stayed low.