Chapter 29

The lioness stood, muscles taut. Its gaze was fixed on the approaching jeep, especially on Winona, who had half of her body leaning out of the roof, holding the telephoto lens. "Move back! Move back, now!" the experienced local guide shouted, his face pale with fear. But it was already too late. Fiercely protective of its cubs, the lioness took Winona's movements as a provocation. It let out a deafening roar, pushed off with its powerful hind legs, and launched from the rocks like a streak of golden lightning. The lioness headed straight for the jeep, with a single, unmistakable target—Winona on the roof. "Winnie! Watch out!" Caleb's shout cracked, nearly shattering his voice. It all happened in the blink of an eye. Winona didn't even have time to react. She only saw a massive shadow hurtling toward her, reeking of danger. Death gripped her every nerve instantly. Just as the lioness' razor-sharp claws were about to strike, a figure lunged from the jeep with even greater speed