Part 2The Tiger's Daughter: Roaring Back at Fate

I stared at it blankly.

A new dad?

"I have a dad..."

I mumbled softly, instinctively looking toward that black SUV in the distance.

That was my dad.

Even though he didn't let me eat at the table, even though he always whipped my calves with a cane, even though he only let me wear a thin, old school uniform in the winter.

He was still my dad.

The big tiger snorted a breath of hot air, blowing a cloud of white mist into my face.

"Roar—That piece of trash who threw you into a tiger's mouth to scam insurance money?"

"Don't be silly, cub, that's murder."

"I was walking by the car earlier and heard them. The man said he bought a million-dollar accident insurance policy on you."

A million dollars?

I knew that was a lot, a lot of money.

It could buy countless steaming hot meat buns, it could buy Dad a new car, it could make my stepmom stop calling me a money-losing burden.

So, I was worth that much money.

But I had to die for that money to become real.

Tears immediately welled up, scalding hot, falling onto the snow and melting little pits.

The big tiger got anxious.

It stuck out its rough tongue, wanting to lick my face, but afraid the barbs would scratch me, it only used its paw to gently bat at my cotton jacket.

"Roar—Don't cry! Tigers hate it most when cubs cry!"

"Come on, come on, let's go find that sucker zookeeper. He just finished cutting our beef and is probably bored out of his mind right now."

In the distance, Dad's car window rolled down a crack again.

He seemed very dissatisfied that the tigers were only circling me and hadn't lunged to tear me apart.

He honked the horn twice.

The sharp honking was exceptionally grating in the empty, snowy field; he was trying to anger the tigers.

The big tiger's ears flattened, a low growl rumbling in its throat.

"Roar—You got a death wish, don't you?"

It turned around, faced the SUV, and let out an earth-shattering roar.

"ROAR—!!!"

The sound shook the snow off the tree branches, sending it rustling down.

The two people in the car were clearly terrified. The car jerked violently, then, as if running for its life, the driver slammed on the gas and it shot forward, disappearing around the bend.

They really left.

Leaving me all alone with a group of fierce beasts.

I had completely become a child without a father.

The big tiger turned back, its tail gently sweeping across the back of my hand.

"Roar—Alright, the trash has been taken out. Get on, Tiger Lord will carry you to the good life."

It lowered its massive body, gesturing for me to climb onto its back.

I sniffled, my freezing fingers grabbing onto its thick fur.

So warm.

Warmer than my bed at home.