Lily skipped along the path, puddles popping under her shoes until the sound of rushing water and soft growls filled the air. The tiger habitat opened wide—tall grass, black rock, a mirror-smooth pond.
From the bamboo curtain, Shira appeared. Muscles rippled beneath her coat as she stepped into the light, stripes flashing gold in the morning sun.
She lowered her head to drink, calm and regal as if the whole place breathed to her rhythm. “See? I told you she’d come out,” Lily whispered.
Caleb smiled. “You were right, bug.” They watched in quiet awe until he checked his watch. “Breakfast, before you pass out.” “But she just came out!” “She’ll still be here after pancakes,” he promised—never guessing how quickly things would change.
