Apphia

I yelp. My heart ceases briefly. However, whatever it is, he grabs its neck and stretches out his arm so it doesn't scratch him with its sharp claws. I clamber out of bed and rush to him.

" No, stay there, Apphia," he barred his teeth in a low growl. I ignore his command and stand beside him. The creature that almost attacked him is a tiger—a cub, but it's large. We glance at each other, my heart calming now that I know it didn't hurt him.

The cub is growling and trying to scratch him weakly this time, as Nicholas has it by its neck. Its gaze snaps...