Catherine closed her eyes. She didn’t scream. She just whispered, “Please.” A new sound split the air, a sharp, desperate cry. The cub. It came bounding out from the trees, small but fearless, planting itself between Catherine and the adult leopard.
Its tiny body trembled, yet the sound it made was a shrill, high-pitched snarl that carried enough defiance to freeze the world. The larger leopard hesitated. It turned its head slightly, recognition flickering across its gaze. The growl faded to a confused rumble.