The fire had burned down to white ash by the time the first grey light of dawn began to creep into the cave.
Su Qinglan had not slept much; she had spent the remaining hours of the night in a daze, alternating between tending to the fire and checking on the sleeping cubs.
As the sun began to rise over the ocean, the three cubs began to stir. They stretched their tiny limbs and let out little yawns, circling around her feet and nipping at her hem, sensing their mother's restless energy.
Su Qinglan forced herself to focus on them.
She took a clean cloth and some warm water, carefully wiping their faces and paws. Then she fed them their morning milk, watching their little throats move as they gulped it down.
Just as she was settling the last cub back onto the blanket, the sound of heavy, rapid footsteps echoed outside.
"Female Qinglan! Female Qinglan!"
