had no claim to the throne that he could think of. Amani saw that Bakari was upset so went over and nuzzled him, giving him no verbal support.

“Hang on Sakina! Who says it had to be one of them! If they die, the throne goes to the girls!” Shouted Halima.

Then everyone started talking at once, the girls arguing with the boys and the boys arguing with each other. Amani saw that they were distracted and she and Bakari crept away. They didn’t stop walking until they had reached the story cave, where they sat down together.

“Bakari, are you ever scared of the future?” Amani asked.

He nodded and stared around the cave.

“I’ve heard my mother and father talking about a prophecy. It sounds scary.”

Amani put her paw on his and squeezed.

“My father was scared once. He was really ill in this cave once and that’s why he painted pictures, to make himself feel better. He was scared because he thought he might die, but he was also looking forward to the future.”

She pointed to a faded picture of a family of lions.

“This is meant to be my family. My father drew it when he was a young adult, dreaming of the future he might have with my mother. He didn’t seem scared, so why am I?”

“We’re all scared, Amani. The only thing that will help to get us through is the support of others. I will be here for you, just as I know you will be here for me.”

“Who’s the other cub?” asked Bakari

“My sister. No one knows about her because she was taken as a cub before I was born. I never knew her.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

The two cubs didn’t speak for the rest of the afternoon. They just sat there, staring at the drawings and wishing they both had the bravery of Kabili.

When they joined the other cubs, they noticed they were still fuming from their argument. Jabari had managed to give Zuberi a nasty scar on his muzzle and he was sitting alone, glaring at the others. Halima and Sakina were sat with Jabari in awe of his bravery. Amani ran over to Zuberi and started licking his wound. Bakari felt a pang of jealousy as he saw Zuberi staring into Amani’s eyes as she helped him.

“What happened?” Bakari asked.

“Jabari gave Zuberi a scar! He’s so brave!” Said Halima.

“And now, Zuberi had sworn revenge!” Said Sakina. “That’s so stupid! He can’t beat Jabari!”

Then Zuberi started growling and Jabari joined in. The brothers glared at each other, wishing they could have another fight. Jabari started to walk towards Zuberi again when suddenly, the cubs froze as they heard a roar.

Chimalsi had entered the scene and was furious with what he saw.

“Jabari, Zuberi, come with me.”

The two cubs dropped their heads in shame and walked slowly after their father. The rest of the cubs were soon taken away by their parents who were shocked something like that happened.

But it was only the beginning.

 

Chapter 10 – Betrayal

About two years later.

Zuberi and Jabari had grown further and further apart in the years that had passed. Zuberi was always alone whereas Jabari was constantly crowded by Halima and Sakina. He liked the attention – it made him feel popular. Bakari and Amani had fallen in love and had become mates. They often spent time together in the story cave, which is the place they first fell for each other and it was away from the others.

One day, Sakina went up to Jabari and asked him whether he would be her mate.

“I’m sorry, Sakina, your sister already asked me.” He replied.

“WHAT?!” Sakina roared. “But you love me more!”

“I love you both the same.”

“Then why didn’t you choose me?”

“Halima asked me first.” He sighed.

Sakina was furious! She ran away from Jabari and found her sister, smirking at her.

“I guess you’ve found out I have a mate!” She laughed.

“He was to be mine!” Sakina snarled.

“Well, I guess he isn’t anymore.”

At that last comment, Sakina lunged for her sister and they became locked in an epic battle. Sakina was strong, but Halima was fast and managed to weaken her sister quickly, but not before she had several scratches down across her legs and face. Then Halima went in for the kill, but as Sakina collapsed, her claw caught Hakima’s ear and tore it. Then there was silence. The fight was over.

“Well done, lovely.” Called Jabari.

“It was for you, mate.”

“How are you going to disguise it?”

Halima thought for a moment. “I’ll say we were attacked by a clan of hyenas. They’ve been found more frequently in our territory this year as if they’re waiting for something.”

“Or someone…”

When Dafina and Ajali saw their dead and injured daughters, they burst into tears and inquired what had happened. When Halima got to telling them a hyena had attacked, Ajali became suspicious.

“Hyena’s don’t attack lions.” He said simply. “They’re too scared.”

“These ones weren’t.” Replied Halima.

“Hyena’s also don’t have paws that big or claws that run that deep. Those are lion paws. Were you attack by lions?”

“No! I told you they were hyenas!”

“Then please explain to me how your mouth twitched into a smile when you said your sister was dead and how the paw and claw sizes match up with your own.”

Halima gasped. “Are you accusing me of killing my own sister?”

“I am. Get out of here and never return. You’re a traitor to your family and your Pride.”

Halima looked at her mother for support, but Dafina started to growl.

“Get out!”

Halima fled with Jabari on her heels. They ran far into the grasslands and never looked back.

Ajali turned towards his mate who was crying over their daughter’s still form.

“I had to, Dafina.” He said.

“I know. You were right. I could see it on her face and on her paws. Also, it must mean she was attacked by Sakina. I’d recognise her scratch marks anywhere with that broken claw on her right paw.”

The couple nuzzled each other and Ajali licked away Dafina’s tears. Later on, the others noticed the couple’s sadness, but didn’t dare ask where their daughters were now. They trusted that they knew.

Amani and Bakari were deeply shocked at the death of Sakina and the fleeing of the culprits. They looked on each other for support and they received it, knowing they would never leave each other.

Meanwhile, Zuberi was plotting. He only had one more obstacle before he was the one true heir to the throne. But how was he going to get rid of him…

“Bakari.” Zuberi called to his brother.

“Yes…” He replied, suspiciously.

“Amani wanted me to tell you that she’s waiting for you in the story cave.”

“Why couldn’t she tell me herself?”

“Because she needed to get ready.”

Bakari still wasn’t sure whether what his brother said was true, but he decided to go along with it. He walked quickly to the story cave and wasn’t surprised when Amani wasn’t there. He had already decided what to say to his brother when he met him in the entrance.

“Where’s Amani?” He asked.

Zuberi told him that he saw her going to the waterhole in tears. That made Bakari worried. Why was his mate crying and keeping secret from him?

“Okay.” He said. “We’ll go together.”

Zuberi was pleased. His plan was working so far. Bakari took the bait as he knew he would – his brother was so predictable!

Halfway there, Zuberi stopped Bakari. He told him that he had wanted him to come down here alone.

“Why?” Asked Bakari nervously.

“To eliminate the threat to my throne.” Said Zuberi as he launched into his attack.

Bakari was an awful fighter, not wanting to practise often as his heart was too pure for violence. Therefore, Zuberi easily won. When Bakari lay dying on the floor, Zuberi turned and ran back up to Pride Rock.

“Amani!” he cried. “It’s Bakari! He was attacked by leopards!”

Amani gasped and ran after Zuberi as he took her to the site of the fight. Zuberi was clever. Leopards were similar to lions in the way of paws so he wouldn’t be caught like Halima did. Also, the fact he washed his claws in a stream near Pride Rock meant there was no signs of violence on him.

When they reached the site, Bakari’s body was gone. Zuberi was confused, but then noticed the trail of blood and the scratch marks in the dirt and realised a large animal had carried the body away.

“Where is he?” Cried Amani.

“The leopards must’ve carried him off.”

Amani started crying loudly and fell into Zuberi’s side. Zuberi liked the feeling and leaned into her, offering comfort. He needed her on his side.

He wanted her as his Queen.

 

Chapter 11 – Fury

A few years later again.

The Pride had only just recovered from the loss of four of the cubs. Amani spent most of the time with her parents and away from Zuberi, who followed Chimalsi around, learning to be King.

Suddenly, the peace and tranquillity ended. Kabili managed to catch another illness which was no match for his already weakened immune system and perished. Unfortunately, this disease was caught by the rest of the Pride and the eldest and weakest also perished. Very soon, only Chimalsi, Wema, Amani, Zuberi, Busara and a few other

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