It's Our Pride Deep Inside

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I wiped the sweat from my forehead. The bright, scorching hot sun beat down on me. I sighed, picking up the last 10 pound meat, throwing it in the back of the pickup. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of people at the lions today to watch the lion feeding.

"Got it all?" Father asked. I nodded, walking to the driver side, and I opened the door. I lifted my leg to the step, and I pushed all my weight on that leg. Pulling my second leg up, I put it in the truck and stepped again. I sat down in the seat, closing the door.

My hand dug out my keys. Putting the keys in the ignition, the truck roared to life. I put my foot on the gas and eased the truck forward.

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I pulled the truck through the gates to behind the lion habitat. I shut the truck off, opening the door and getting out. Slamming the truck door shut, I walked to the bed and opened it. Sam walked out with his team to help me unload. Sam's team works with the lions with me.

Everyone carried two or three of the meats in. The meats weighed 10-13 pounds a peice, so we were all carrying a minimum of 20 pounds.

As I suspected, there was already a crowd gathered in front of the pen when I walked out of the lion's den. I saw the two male lions perched on a ledge. Kuubba and Lyon. Lyon had his head resting on his paws, fast asleep, but Kuubba was wide awake, watching over the pride.

The majority of the lionesses laid in the grass a little ways away. Some were standing and others were cleaning and grooming their cubs. The rest of the cubs were roughhousing with each other and racing around.

The visitors gawked in awe at the sight of them. Lions are quite the beautiful creatures. At least in my opinion.

"Kuubba, Lyon!" I called, waking up the sleeping lion and catching the other's attention.

I waved a giant piece of meat at them, causing them to jump up. I held it firmly with one hand while cutting the meat in half with the other. I saw the males stalking towards me, so I quickly slid away the knife.

"Here boys," I called again, walking backwards towards the crowd, so they could get a better view of them. Lyon growled viciously, snatching the piece of meat from my right a little harshly. He then proceeded to turn and walk back to the ledge. I sighed.

"Here, Kuubba," I sighed tossing it to him. He walked away a few feet, dropped his meat in the grass, and laid down, facing the crowd. He munched happily on it. I retreated to the stash of meat and hauled it all back down the hill. I fed the females, and gave the cubs their portions as well.

"Did you feed them all?" Sam asked when I finished. I shook my head. "Who's left to feed?"

"Malea and Terralyn. I don't know where they are," I replied. Just then a lioness bolted around the bend with a cub in her mouth and a tiger hot on her tail.

"What's Dillan doing in this pen. Max! Hurry up! We need help!" The crowd started to panic. I elbowed him. I ran forward. Malea will likely attack as soon as she hides Terralyn.

Lyon and Kuubba were already on their feet. Men were already trying to hold them down. Harry readied his tranquilizer to knock him out. I put myself between the lioness and cub and the tiger.

"Don't shoot," I demanded. Harry and two others held fire. "Dillan," I said gently. He stopped abruptly in his tracks when I put my hand out. He didn't move for a moment. I guarantee there was at least one person recording.

I heard Kuubba growl furiously from behind. Dillan rubbed his nose against my hand. I smiled, patting his head softly. He purred.

"How in the world did he get in here?" Kyle asked. He is the caretaker of the tigers. "And why?"

"I found his source," Sam laughed. I looked over my shoulder. Cradled in his arms was Jacyn, Dillan's cub.

"If anyone's kid went missing, they'd go to the extreme to get them back," I replied with a grin. Kyle took Jacyn, crouching down to Dillan. Dillan licked his cub soothingly before taking him in his jaw. He retreated behind the hill again with Kyle in tow.

"Well, that was fun," Harry commented, stepping to my other side. I laughed this time.

"When did you become so good with the animals?" Sam huffed to me. I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"Let's just say it's mutual respect." I walked over to Malea, who was crouched into a hunting stance, shielding Terralyn with her own body. "It's okay, Girl. It's over. Time for lunch." I gabbed the last peice of meat, cutting it in half. She stood up normally, sniffing.

I gave her a piece, and she started to eat. I picked up Terralyn. I seen the boys start to sweat slightly, glancing from me to Malea and Kuubba.

"You sure that's a good idea? What if they attack you?" Harry nervously questioned.