I was a zookeeper specializing in Siberian tigers. While transporting three rejected cubs to a new sanctuary, a mudslide swept us off the mountain. I clawed my way out of the mud, digging the three cubs out with my bare hands. But when I looked up, I realized I hadn't just survived a crash; I had traveled to a "Beast World." Here, the Tiger Clan is the supreme race. Now, I’m living in a mansion with my cubs, fending off countless powerful beast-men who are desperate to become their stepdads. 1 I worked as a keeper for Siberian tigers. Recently, three cubs were born in the park, but the stronger adults bullied them relentlessly. I decided to transfer them to a satellite facility where they could be hand-reared in peace. I was driving the transport van myself. These little guys had been rejected by their mother at birth, so I’d bottle-fed them. They were practically my kids. The cubs were restless in the back, clawing at their crates. Even though they were small, their growls were already developing that deep, chest-rumbing bass. I glanced back at them. "Keep it down, guys. Mama’s going to get you somewhere safe soon. I’ll stay right there with you, okay?" As soon as the words left my mouth, the world shook. A roar louder than any tiger drowned out everything as a mudslide tore down the mountain, swallowing the van whole. I was out cold for I don't know how long. When I woke up, I was gasping for air. I kicked open the van’s sunroof and scrambled out into the open air. Hearing the cubs wailing inside, I went into a frenzy, prying the crates open and dragging the three muddy, terrified furballs out. "It's okay, don't be scared," I soothed them, wiping mud from their faces. "Mama’s got you. We’re going to be safe." I grabbed the crates to haul them away from the wreck, but then I froze. Standing a short distance away was a crowd of people. But they weren't just people. They were all over six-foot-four, ripped, and... furry. They had animal ears, tails, and claws. I didn't think for a second this was a cosplay convention. My gut told me I wasn't in Kansas anymore. I instinctively shielded the cubs with my body. Even if I died, these endangered species had to survive. They were the jewels of our zoo. Suddenly, a man with bear ears roared, "Holy crap! Look at that! It’s an Apex Mother and her cubs! They must be in trouble—why else would they be in the Wastelands?" They started to approach. Terrified, I shouted, "Back off! What do you want? These are protected animals! You want to go to jail?" 2 "No, no! Tiger Mom, please!" the Bear-man stammered. "We just want to help. Apex Beasts are incredibly rare, especially a litter of three. We just want to take you to the Sanctuary. You’ll be safe there." I didn’t trust these hybrid freaks, but I didn't sense malice. Plus, I couldn't sit on a mudslide with three tigers forever. After a tense standoff, I agreed to let them help carry the crates. Don't ask why I didn't carry them myself—even as cubs, these guys weighed forty pounds each. I’m five-foot-four on a good day; I wasn't lifting that. We arrived at a place that looked like a high-end, post-apocalyptic fortress. It was a walled city, surprisingly luxurious inside. When we got to a secure room, they tried to open the crates. I threw myself in front of them. "No! What if they run off?" They frowned. "Even as their mother, you shouldn't cage royalty." I realized these people worshipped the cubs. They handled the crates like they held holy relics. But they were my cubs. "I can't handle three loose tigers alone," I insisted. "I’m protecting them." Just then, a chubby man with yellow and white patches walked in. He looked human but had fluffy orange ears. "Don't pressure the Tiger Mom," he said softly. "She’s just a worried mother." He bowed to me. "Greetings. I am Jasper, of the Cat Clan. Thank you for birthing such precious Apex cubs into this world. They will grow to be our mightiest warriors. But for now, I suggest you move into the Tiger Pavilion. We can offer better care there." It felt absurd, but survival came first. "Will there be medical care for them? Food and water?" "Of course. Right this way." Jasper was polite, and he seemed to be a tiger subspecies, so I signaled the porters to follow. The Tiger Pavilion was a massive estate with houses and courtyards, indistinguishable from human architecture, except for the twenty-foot walls. I was settled in and given food. The cubs were released and immediately fought over slabs of raw meat. I checked it—no additives, high quality. While they ate, I asked Jasper, "Are you a tiger too?" Jasper bowed. "I am an Orange Tabby, not of the royal bloodline. May I ask... which city's King is your mate?" Me: ??? He meant the father. He thought I gave birth to these three. If I denied it, would they eat me? If I admitted it, where would I find a tiger husband? Panicking, I blurted out, "He's dead." I feigned deep sorrow. Jasper didn't pry. Instead, his eyes lit up with excitement. I didn't like that look, so I stepped back, shielding the cubs. He saw my guard go up and left, locking the gate behind him. 3 Great. We were prisoners. I spent some time worrying about whether I’d ever get home, then turned to the cubs. They were exploring the yard. "Careful, guys! Leo, don't run off! We don't know what's in that grass!" Tigers are naturally naughty. Usually, I’d have to grab them by the scruff to get them to listen. But I was exhausted. I lay in the grass, watching them play. Suddenly, a voice drifted over the wall. "Dearest Tiger Mom. The Apex Kings of the North, the East, and the Great Plains have all arrived. They want to adopt the cubs. They swore to raise them as their own and provide resources. As for you... they want to make you their Queen and provide for you in your old age." I was stunned. These beast-men weren't ugly, but I was human. And asking a shifter to raise actual wild animals as sons? That was a recipe for disaster. "No thanks," I shouted. "I can raise them myself. Tell them to leave." "That... King of the Plains, please calm down! You can't just barge in!" A massive tiger-man, bigger than Jasper, burst into the courtyard. He had the character for 'King' naturally marked on his forehead. He was handsome but terrifyingly fierce. "Tiger Mom! Give me the cubs! I will make them the strongest Kings!" I froze, adrenaline spiking. But then, my three cubs stopped playing. They stood in front of me, tiny bodies tense, roaring their high-pitched baby roars at the intruder. I rushed to shield them. To my shock, the giant tiger-man dropped to his knees with a loud thud. 4 The mountain of muscle was prostrating himself before me. The cubs, misinterpreting this as an attack stance, charged. They started biting his arms and legs. And let me tell you, tiger cub milk-teeth are sharp. They can puncture a tire. "No! Stop biting!" I grabbed one of the cubs. "Leo, let go!" I grabbed Leo by the scruff of his neck. Instantly, his legs went limp, his tail tucked, and he hung there motionless, looking confused. It’s the universal off-switch for cats. The tiger-man didn't fight back. He just giggled. "Are you brain damaged?" I asked. "You're bleeding." He shook his head, grinning like an idiot. "My clan hasn't seen cubs in a century. Look at them! So fierce! This is all your credit, Tiger Mom. Please, accept my worship." He kowtowed. "Stop, stop! Get up!" I waved frantically. "Please, let me raise them. I especially want the little female you're holding." Oh, I see. He wasn't after me. He was grooming my daughter. "You pervert! She's an infant! Stay away from her!" The Wild Tiger scratched his head. "I just want to raise them! If you come to the Great Plains..." Two more tiger-men burst in, kneeling instantly and begging to adopt the cubs. I realized they genuinely wanted to help raise the "Royal Blood." But I couldn't trust them with my actual tigers. I had an idea. "I will let you raise them," I announced. "But only via 'Cloud Parenting.' The cubs stay with me until they are adults." "Cloud... Parenting?" Their fuzzy ears twitched in confusion. "Leo, Jax, Luna, sit!" I commanded. The cubs were smart. They sat in a row. One licked a paw, one scratched an ear, one loafed. Their tails swished against my legs. I cleared my throat. "Cloud Parenting means you send food, supplies, and gems here. I raise them. I will tell them who their 'Godfather' is. When they grow up, if they want to go with you, I won't stop them." The tiger-men looked at each other. Finally, one bowed. "I accept. But can we visit?" "Yes." This place was safe enough, and I wasn't about to be separated from my babies.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "386137", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel