Chapter 910:

Rylie understood at once that she wouldn’t make it in time.

A moment later, Samson’s phone rang, his wife’s name flashing across the screen. He answered, listened for a few seconds, then struck the steering wheel in frustration.

“Why did they have to come so early? Couldn’t they have waited a little longer so I could say goodbye to Shaba too?”

Tamara Bennett, Samson’s wife, sounded frustrated over the phone. “They told me there’s a big shot visiting the reserve today. They want to show off Shaba since he’s the new lion. We already agreed to his transfer, so I can’t do a thing about it.”

Samson let out a long sigh and pressed harder on the gas pedal.

An hour later, he pulled into the driveway. When Rylie stepped out, she was greeted by a stretch of open grass framed by wire fences. A wooden cabin stood nearby, its window propped open, soft cushions arranged inside, and two tiny lion toys sitting on the sill.

From that small scene alone, it was clear the lion had been cared for like family.

Rylie followed Samson inside and greeted Tamara, who was waiting in the living room. She took a small package from her bag. “I brought some local treats from Eshea. They’re for Ella.”

Tamara’s smile faltered. “Ella’s in her room. She’s been heartbroken since Shaba left.”

Accepting the gift, Tamara passed a key to Samson before turning to Rylie. “Make yourselves at home. I’ll get some coffee going.”

With the key in hand, Samson headed upstairs. “I’ll check on Ella. Maybe the treats and meeting a new friend will lift her spirits.”

“Ella?” he called softly as he pushed open the bedroom door.

The room was small and neatly kept. From where he stood, he could see nearly everything at a glance. When Ella wasn’t on the bed, he checked the wardrobe and the corners. The emptiness gnawed at him until dread took hold.

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Moments later, Rylie saw him rush down the stairs, shouting Ella’s name. His eyes snapped to his wife, who leaned halfway out of the kitchen doorway.

“Where’s Ella? She’s not in her room!”

Tamara’s face went pale. “That’s not possible. I took her up myself and locked the door. You had the only key!”

“I did, but she’s gone!” Samson bolted out the door, yelling Ella’s name into the open field.

A shiver ran down Rylie’s spine. She followed him outside and looked up. Ella’s window was wide open. Below it, a slanted roof stretched over a stack of hay—just enough to cushion a small jump.

She told Samson what she’d seen. Together, they searched the hay until they found a tiny hairpin half-buried in the straw.

The same dreadful thought struck them both at once. Clutching his head, Samson cried out, “What if she climbed onto the truck with the lion?”

Tamara stepped out just in time to hear it. Her knees gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground, trembling in shock.

Samson called the driver of the reserve’s truck right away, but the driver saw who it was and ignored the call. With a smirk, he muttered, “They must’ve changed their minds about the lion. Better to pretend I never heard it ring.”

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