Things just...weren't the same without Jabari, they never would be, and Addie knew that as she gazed sorrowfully at her father's tree. "I miss him, too." Eshe said softly, grooming her cub's fur with slow, rasping strokes. For once, Addie didn't wriggle away, instead closing her eyes and imagining when Jabari was still there with her, asking Zarina to stop climbing on her sister.

"You, you, you, you, you, and you!" Azazel roared suddenly, pointing at the lionesses. "Go and hunt for the pride!" Amara and Nyaria exchanged dubious looks with each other before lifting themselves up and slinking away with the other lionesses, their heads low to the ground.

"I'll be back, Adebowele, stay here." Eshe growled, nuzzling her daughter gently as she sat up to face Azazel. "This many lionesses aren't needed for a hunt, at least Furaha should stay, she's expecting." The queen reasoned, a good couple lengths away from him. "A good hunt requires at least eight lionesses, and Furaha can go ahead and toughen up if she wants to survive in this pride."

Furaha suddenly rushed to the king's side, her fur lifted in alarm. "N-No, I'm sure I c-can hunt just as well as the others, it's okay." She stuttered, her eyes flicking between the two leaders. Eshe tilted her head in concern, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I suppose-"

"I don't need your opinion!" Azazel snapped with a roar. Addie shrank back as Eshe gave him a defiant glare before stalking over towards Sunning Rock. She trotted over to her mother, side stinging, and flopped onto her stomach with a loud sigh. I wish I could help...but I'm injured. Addie thought, her heart sinking.
. . .
Addie woke up with a start at the sound of a loud roar. She looked over to the source of the sound, only to find Ares snarling at Zarina, his lips drawn back to reveal yellowing teeth. The yellow-furred cub whimpered, pressing against her mother's flank. "What's wrong?" Eshe asked, the space between her golden eyes wrinkled with worry. "This...this vermin tried to take a piece of prey without permission!" Ares roared, narrowing his eyes at Zarina. Imani drew her two cubs away from the male, who obviously wanted a fight.

"You don't need permission to take a mouthful of food." Eshe said slowly, her voice oddly calm. "Who in the stars do you think you are!?" The male lion asked, sizing up on her. "I'm the q-" "He's right, you know? You have no authority over this pride." Azazel growled, slinking out from the shade, his fur tangled from sleep. Addie narrowed her eyes, standing up to watch.

Eshe looked astonished, before speaking with a dangerously low voice. "I am your queen," She growled. Azazel nodded, unable to disguise his satisfaction. "You are my queen, allow me to do the dirty work." Addie's jaws parted with surprise as the king nodded, and Ares brought his paw down on Zarina. The cub cried out in pain, and her sister whimpered in fear.

She felt her hackles rise as he carried on to hit her, each blow causing a weaker cry. Out of the corner of her eye, Addie spotted a light, small figure cross in front of the other lionesses. "Why are you hitting Zarina!?" Kasim exclaimed, his eyes lit with rage. Eshe shook her head sadly, warning him to stay away. The small male narrowed his eyes and backed away, knowing it was a fight he couldn't win.

Addie flinched as his hot breath tickled her ear fur, and he whispered the words that must have been burning at the back of all of the lionesses's minds. "I will be strong enough. One day."

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry for the delay in updates!
Please vote and comment and all of that good stuff, I think I'm back!!!
Have an amazing rest of your day, you all are amazing!