Chapter 908:
Feeling much better that morning, Melany decided to join the group. She leaned out the window, eyes wide with awe at the scenes unfolding around them.
Beside her, Alyssa suddenly reached over and tapped her neck. “Hey, what’s that big red mark?”
The calm on Melany’s face vanished in an instant. She hurriedly grabbed the mosquito repellent and sprayed her neck in a fluster. “The mosquitoes here are vicious. They must’ve bitten me last night while I was sleeping!”
Rylie’s gaze flicked toward her, catching sight of the mark Melany was trying so desperately to hide. It wasn’t an insect bite. It was unmistakably a love mark.
She looked away, thoughtful, realizing Deandre must genuinely care for Melany—enough to have followed her here in secret.
For two days straight, they chased after the great beasts of the plains. When night fell, they camped beneath the vast open sky, surrounded by the wild, rhythmic pulse of the untamed land.
Samson had been scheduled to give a short briefing, but an unexpected call pulled him away, and his colleague stepped in to entertain the guests in his stead.
He had been gone for quite some time when Rylie’s phone buzzed with an anonymous message from Nightingale.
Kailee’s itinerary had shifted. She would now be arriving at the Klein Private Reserve a full day earlier to deliver her speech.
Rylie powered off her phone and, noticing Samson still on his call nearby, walked over with a cup of coffee in hand. Just as she reached him, he ended the conversation and turned toward her, a faint crease of worry etched across his brow.
Rylie studied him for a moment before asking quietly, “What’s the matter?”
Since he had spoken with Rylie before, Samson seemed less guarded and began to talk more openly. “The transfer date’s been moved up. Shaba’s being relocated earlier than we expected.”
ɢ𝔞l𝓷𝓸v𝔢𝓵𝓼.c𝓸m brings fresh updates
Rylie blinked. “The lion? When will he be transferred—tomorrow?”
Samson nodded, a troubled sigh escaping him. “Ella’s been crying nonstop. She can’t handle the thought of parting so suddenly. I’m worried about her. I wanted to go with her in the morning to see Shaba off, but I’m tied up with work.”
Rylie tilted her head. “Have you thought about reconsidering it?”
Samson frowned. “Reconsidering what?”
“Switching to another reserve,” Rylie proposed, her voice calm but thoughtful. “I’m not entirely convinced the Klein Private Reserve is the best choice.”
She didn’t say what truly unsettled her. The timing was far too neat to be coincidence—Shaba’s sudden transfer and Kailee’s unexpected early arrival. The connection was faint but nagging, a shadow in the back of her mind that refused to leave.
Samson’s brows drew together in confusion. “Why? Is there something wrong with that reserve?”
Without tangible proof to support her instincts, Rylie chose her words carefully. “Nothing specific, but it might be worth reevaluating the plan. Couldn’t you consider a change?”
Samson exhaled slowly, his shoulders sinking as he rubbed his temple. “The paperwork’s already finalized, and there’s no room to change it now. Switching to a different reserve would mean renegotiating the terms, and that would take too long. The neighboring farms are already restless about keeping Shaba here. I’m afraid someone might act rashly—maybe even target him from outside the property. Sending him off early, honestly, is the safest solution.”
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