By the time they reached the enclosure, several keepers clustered by the fence. In the far corner, Shira crouched low—tense, unmoving—while three younger tigers paced opposite, tails lashing.
Their roars cracked like thunder across the rain, but Shira didn’t charge. She answered with a deep, resonant growl that seemed to vibrate through the ground.
“Territorial spat,” Ethan said carefully. Another keeper muttered, “Maybe they stole her breakfast again.” Caleb tried a laugh that didn’t quite land.
Lily never looked away. “That’s not normal,” she said softly. “If they made her mad, she’d chase them. She’s the leader.” Ethan frowned but kept his thoughts to himself.
