Chapter 1

I woke up as a lioness, with three little cubs already nestled in my belly.

To raise my kids, I hid the fact that I was married and a mom, then joined a pride.

The pride was migrating, and I was utterly exhausted, rushing through the night, clutching my cubs in my jaws.

I clung to the group like a lifeline, terrified of falling behind.

The Lion King looked like he had something to say, then finally blurted, “You’re moving so fast, aren’t you afraid of losing your cubs?”

I prayed the cubs wouldn’t be born too soon. At least not during the dry season.

But fate had other plans. I gave birth on the scorching sand, under a blazing sun.

Three fluffy little cubs crawled around.

All I could see was dry, yellow earth. It hadn’t rained for five months.

“Mom, brother scratched me!”

“I didn’t scratch her! I just touched her. The rock was hot on my paw, so I shifted.”

My cubs bickering was a common occurrence. I lay on the ground, my paws acting as cushions.

“Mommy, there’s a mommy over there too.”

What was this kid talking about?

I followed his gaze and saw a musk ox leading her calf across the plains.

“Oh my god, such a big ox! Run, kids!” I shot up instantly, snatched the smallest cub in my jaws, and bolted.

I huffed and puffed, charging forward, my cubs struggling to keep up.

The more I thought about it, the more something felt off. I slowly started to slow down.

I smacked myself on the head. I’m a lion now! I should be hunting that musk ox!

By the time I regretted it and looked back, the musk ox mom had already led her calf to safety.