A blur of motion exploded between them, the leopard leaping free, landing hard, tail lashing. The man stumbled back, shouting in shock. Catherine ran. Branches whipped her arms, her breath coming fast and shallow. Behind her came the sounds of chaos a shout, a crash, a growl that seemed to shake the ground. Then another sound came closer.
She glanced over her shoulder. The leopard was following. It burst through the undergrowth like living fire, eyes wide, muscles rippling with confusion and fury. Its ears were flat, tail lashing, the primal language of a creature that no longer knew who to trust.