Queen of the Jungle

Episode V

Shock raced down Brilliant's spine. Her paws froze for a moment and then they rushed into action. "Mischief?" she asked as the bloody heap of fur groaned. The lioness dragged herself forward with the help of Brilliant and Resilient.

Blood pooled from her many wounds. "I—"

"Shh," Brilliant murmured, rasping her tongue over Mischief's fur. The lioness stopped shivering and laid down, breath rasping. "Get some meat," she told Resilient after taking a look at her littermate's ribs. He tore off part of the warthog and set it near Mischief's face.

With a groan, she ate the meat. Opening the eye that wasn't scratched and bleeding, Mischief whispered, "Terror's coming for us." Fear and confusion rocketed through her.

Resilient, who'd been quiet until now, growled, "Who's Terror, and why is he after us?"

Mischief eye that wasn't gouged out flashed to gaze at the white lion. A throaty rumble left her. "He's big now."

He narrowed his eyes, "What?"

The lioness groaned again and closed her good eye. Brilliant felt another wave of panic run through her blood. Mischief's breathing deepened and she was soon asleep. Deciding she couldn't do anything about the situation today, she stood outside the den, in the grass. Sleep would definitely evade her after the events of today, so she would stand guard for the night.

The first ray of sunlight hit the top of the mountains. Resilient padded out and sat a few steps away from her. "What did she mean?"

Brilliant looked up, confused. "What?"

His blue eyes flashed up to stare at her. "She said, 'he's big now,' what did she mean?"

She took a deep breath, not anticipating his reaction. "It's a long story..."

"We have time," he growled, settling himself comfortably in the grass. A prick of uneasiness made her heart stutter. How can I tell him? As she pondered over how to start, he got up and lashed his tail. "Fine, I'll just ask Swift!" he snapped and leaped across the rocks.

Panic filled her. "No! I'll tell you!" she called, chasing after him. The white lion stopped and turned.

His blue eyes were filled with mistrust, a cold feeling to be victim of. I have to... "What did she mean?" he asked icily.

"You...you were born in a pride," she said. Resilient's eyes widened. The biggest secret was still to be revealed. Taking a deep breath, she said quietly, "And...I'm not your mother," she whispered quietly, chest tightening. Dismay dawned on his face and he backed away from her.

Brilliant tried to walk closer to him but he retreated faster. Then he tore off and left her standing heartbroken in the savannah grass. "Resilient!" she roared after him. But it was no use. I've ruined everything. Misery made her head droop. He'll come back. Some part of her thought. She climbed up the rocks slowly and walked in to Mischief trying to stand.

Her littermate gave her a sympathetic look with her good eye. "He'll come around," she said soothingly. Brilliant grunted softly and started cleaning the wounds.

Mischief winced every now and then. "Tell me what happened," Brilliant asked once she'd finished.

"There was a prideless lion coming to camp a few times. He'd talk to Terror whenever he came. And then yesterday he said something that Terror was furious about. Turns out the lion had been spying on you"—alarm spiraled through her—"and that other white lion, and he'd reported to Terror you were still alive. Terror thought you'd be dead by now. And then he accused me of helping you survive somehow. And you know the rest." Mischief told her.