She rose like a storm. Her body stretched tall, shoulders rippling. Her head lowered, ears back. Then came the growl. It rolled through the space like thunder. One warning step forward. Another. The keeper froze. “She’s guarding him,” someone whispered. “She thinks we’re taking her baby.”
“Retreat,” Asha ordered. “Now.” The team backed out quickly. Meera prowled behind them, tail slashing the air, placing her massive body between them and the pup. Nibbles watched from behind a tree trunk, unsure whether to follow the strangers or stay.