Part 1The Tiger's Daughter: Roaring Back at Fate

Dad said he was taking me to see the tigers, but he kicked me out of the car right inside the tiger enclosure.

My stepmom in the car pretended to scream, but she held her phone up the whole time, recording.

The tigers yawned and slowly walked toward me.

"Roar—These two humans are terrible actors!"

"Throwing a cub outside while hiding in a metal shell, are they trying to frame us for eating a human?"

"This kid looks like she doesn't even have a pound of meat on her, not even enough to get stuck between my teeth."

I stood in the freezing wind, listening to the tigers talk, tears and snot running down my face.

Just then, the biggest tiger walked over and nudged me so hard with its massive head that I fell on my butt.

"Roar—Kid, do you want a new dad?"

"The new zookeeper is a rich kid experiencing life. Come with me, I'll let you be a wealthy heiress."

* * *

The first snow of winter. The wind blew against my face, stinging like a knife.

Dad said he was taking me to the zoo to see the tigers.

But as soon as we entered the tiger enclosure, he stopped the car, turned his head, stared at me, and urged me urgently:

"Chloe, Dad's car is broken. Get out and give it a push. Just a little push and Dad will let you back in."

I was an obedient child.

I thought, as long as I pushed the car like a good girl, Dad wouldn't lock me in the pitch-black basement like he did at home.

But the moment I stepped out of the car, the door locked with a click.

The car clearly wasn't broken.

Dad slammed on the gas, and the car instantly slid away dozens of feet, leaving me far behind.

I panicked, chasing after it on my freezing, stiff little legs.

"Dad! Dad, wait for Chloe!"

"Chloe is cold! Chloe is scared!"

The car stopped.

But not to pick me up.

In the back seat, my mom—my stepmom—was holding her phone, pointing it at me.

Through the glass, I saw her exaggeratedly covering her mouth, as if she were screaming, but her eyes were clearly smiling.

This was the free-roaming area of the tiger enclosure.

Several enormous Siberian tigers were stepping through the snow, slowly walking toward me.

Terrified, I slumped into the snow, trembling all over.

I thought I was going to die.

But right then, I heard the lead tiger sigh.

It shook the snow off its body, its whiskers twitching.

"Roar—These two humans are terrible actors!"

"Throwing a cub outside while hiding in a metal shell, are they trying to frame us for eating a human?"

"This kid looks like she doesn't even have a pound of meat on her, not even enough to get stuck between my teeth."

The tigress next to him agreed, casting a disgusted look at the SUV.

"Roar—What is that woman waving that shiny thing around for? It's blinding."

"Probably wants to record the cub being eaten by us. Humans are disgusting."

I was stunned.

The cold wind blew down my collar, but I forgot to cry.

They... weren't going to eat me?

Seeing me standing there dumbfounded, the lead tiger even rolled its eyes.

It took a few steps and stood right in front of me.

A giant shadow cast over me. I smelled a faint, musky scent from it, along with an indescribable warmth.

It lowered its head and nudged my shoulder with its massive head.

It was a bit strong. I immediately plopped down onto the ground, landing on my butt.

"Roar—Kid, do you want a new dad?"

Its huge face was extremely close, its golden pupils reflecting my disheveled figure.

"The new zookeeper is a rich kid experiencing life. He's dumb, rich, and has a good heart. Come with me, I'll let you be a wealthy heiress?"