The gray wolf stepped out of the bushes and immediately noticed the three tiger cubs inside the cave.
Its green eyes reflected faintly in the moonlight as it stared at them.
To the wolf, the cubs looked like easy prey. Small, young, and completely unprotected.
If an adult saber-toothed tiger had been standing there, the wolf would have turned around and fled without hesitation. But the cave held only three cubs, and to a hungry predator that looked like a rare opportunity.
Zack and Zoe also saw the wolf.
Neither of them had ever faced another predator before. The sight of the animal standing at the cave entrance made them freeze. Instinctively, they called out for their parents.
But Rosa and Reed were still out hunting.
No one answered.
James quickly understood the situation. Waiting for help was pointless.
Running was even worse. Outside the cave were forests full of predators. If they fled blindly, their chances of survival would be even lower.
That left only one option.
They had to fight.
James lowered his body slightly and let out a warning growl. His hind legs tensed, ready to move at any moment.
The wolf showed no sign of hesitation.
It opened its mouth slightly, revealing rows of sharp teeth. The smell of old blood drifted from its breath as it slowly stepped forward.
James watched it carefully.
The wolf moved closer with each step, confident that the cubs could not escape.
While the wolf focused on him, James quietly picked up something from the cave floor.
A sharpened stone.
Over the past few weeks he had shaped the stone by rubbing it against other rocks. The result was crude, but the edge was sharp enough to cut.
His teeth and claws were still weak. But a tool could make a difference.
Holding the stone in his mouth, he waited.
The wolf lowered its body slightly.
Then it attacked.
With a sudden leap, the gray wolf lunged straight at James.
James pushed off the ground and jumped sideways.
The wolf's jaws snapped shut on empty air as its momentum carried it past him.
Before it could recover, James rushed forward.
He drove the sharpened stone toward the wolf's side.
The edge cut through fur and skin, leaving a long wound.
The wolf let out a loud cry and spun around instantly, trying to bite him.
James jumped back again.
He had no intention of trading bites with a wolf.
Even an injured wolf had powerful jaws. One solid bite could easily break a cub's leg.
So he kept moving.
Each time the wolf lunged, he dodged and shifted to the side. His small size made him faster and harder to catch in the narrow space of the cave.
This was exactly why he had focused on improving his agility.
The wolf became more frustrated with each failed attack. It was already weak from hunger and injury. Chasing a target that refused to stand still quickly drained its energy.
Then the wolf changed its target.
Its eyes turned toward Zack and Zoe.
The two cubs had retreated to the back of the cave and were pressed together against the wall.
They were easier prey.
The wolf turned and rushed toward them.
James tried to intercept it, but he was too far away.
Zack and Zoe ran deeper into the cave. The narrow passage led to the small chamber where Rosa had given birth to them.
But the tunnel ended there.
There was nowhere left to run.
The wolf closed the distance quickly and leaped toward Zoe, who had stumbled and fallen.
Just as it was about to reach her, Zack suddenly rushed forward.
He slammed into the wolf with all his strength.
The impact barely slowed the larger animal.
The wolf knocked Zack down and immediately bit at him.
Zack rolled desperately across the ground. The wolf missed his leg but managed to bite into his rear instead.
Zack cried out in pain.
At that moment James finally reached them.
Seeing his brother trapped beneath the wolf filled him with anger.
Without slowing down, he jumped onto the wolf's back.
Using all his strength, he drove the stone into the side of the wolf's neck.
The wolf had been focused entirely on Zack and never saw the attack coming.
The sharp stone cut into its neck, forcing the wolf to release its bite.
It shook its body violently and threw James to the ground.
Now fully enraged, the wolf turned toward him.
But before it could attack again—
A thunderous roar echoed from outside the cave.
It's Mother Tiger
The sound filled the entire hillside.
The wolf froze.
For a moment, fear replaced the hunger in its eyes.