[1st POV]
(2 months later)
The dry season had passed its peak.
During the dry season, I was not swarmed with challengers like in previous years. The hyenas had proven themselves more useful than I could ever have expected.
They chased off most rogues without my interference. The only battle I had to fight was against a big coalition of four to five lions. The lone males never even got the chance to lie low in the Serengeti as they were quickly chased away by the combined forces of the vultures and the hyenas.
The hyenas under me had also increased much. I used to meet some clans in my patrols, and it seemed there were more every week. Grim had reported that the hyenas in the Serengeti had surpassed 200. The dry season had not only gathered challengers but also other predators from the nearby regions, hyenas included.
Although not all the hyenas that came wanted to bow under a lion's rule. Grim had been diligent in keeping me updated on all the clashes and the small wars that took place. But fortunately, my hyenas won all wars.
In the dry season, they hunted down the remaining smaller prey to which they had no competition since there were no other lion prides, and my pride mostly ate buffalo meat in the dry season.
Speaking of my pride, there was tension in the air.
The sun was shining brightly in the mid-sky. I had returned from my patrol, but returning was not as welcoming as before.
Because pregnancy had reached its peak. Nala, Tala, Zuri and Amara were all expecting labour very soon. It was a wonder why they had not given birth already because usually, a lioness' pregnancy lasts between 3 to 4 months. But it had been nearly 5 months and the cubs had not arrived yet.
There were three new pregnant lions too other than these four. In total, I had gotten seven lionesses pregnant. The baby-making factory was in full throttle.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
I headed towards the four pregnant lionesses immediately. These four shared a bond as pregnant sisters. You would see them lying together and grooming each other a bit isolated from the pride.
There was tension in the air; everyone in the pride could feel the coming cubs. It was like the whole pride was pregnant.
"We are well, my lord," Zuri answered with a weak smile. A smile that was not really a smile. Everyone seemed a little irritated. Perhaps I had asked that same question so frequently over the weeks.
"It's hurting now," Nala commented, her swollen belly showing veins. She was thought to be the one with the most cubs inside her due to the sheer swelling of her belly.
The other lionesses all had swollen bellies too. It was to the point that walking had become difficult for them. Either they were all carrying multiple cubs or my cubs were huge.
"I think it is time we leave the pride, my lord," Amara suggested, being the only lion who had experience with pregnancy.
"You don't need to leave," I shook my head, "I will give you all the protection and care you need right here with the pride."
"That is not how it works, my lord," she insisted.
"Well, that is how it will work from here on out," I said firmly, "I will not expose any one of you to danger."
Usually, when the lionesses felt like they were nearing labour, they would separate from the pride and give birth to their cubs elsewhere. Only after the cubs were big would they search for their pride and rejoin.
But surely I would not allow such things to happen. That was an unnecessary risk. The only reason this was instinct and tradition was to protect the vulnerable cubs from the kings. But I was not like those wild animals who would kill their own cubs. I would do nothing but care and be gentle towards the mother or the cubs.
"Do you need a better spot? If you so desire, I could search for a den or softer ground for you to give birth," I asked.
"That would not be necessary, my lord," Tala said. She looked around where the group lay. It was a spot I had created a week ago.
I had dug the land they lay on, grounding everything into fine sand and removing all debris like rocks or sharp twigs. The place was soft and easy to lie in due to the slight crater it provided. There were three trees that surrounded this spot, constantly providing shade throughout the day.
I worked like a bird building a nest when I made this spot. But if they were not satisfied, I could do even better.
"Then tell me if you are hungry for anything. A buffalo rib, liver, heart, kidney, the tough meat, the soft fats. I will get them."
Amara chuckled, "You are too kind, my lord. We are more than satisfied."
I leaned down and rubbed my head on each and every one of the females before I moved away from them and gave them space. The rest of the pride was situated a little further away from these groups so as not to disturb them.
I quickly scanned the pride before heading towards the other pregnant females. They were still not at the stage these four were, but they too needed to be taken care of.
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[3rd POV]
For the next few days, the lionesses were in labour. It was Zuri and Tala who were experiencing the most severe effect of the labour. Given their condition, these two lionesses would give birth first.
Zuri and Tala's laboured breaths and painful grunts were now a constant sound that rang through the pride. Amara could not count how many times she had to reassure the king that they were fine and that this was just a natural process of a female in labour.
Although Amara would be the first to admit that nurturing his seeds was about the most difficult thing to do compared to the other lions. Perhaps that was because of their exceptional father.
Contrary to the slow agony they were experiencing, these four lionesses could be said to be the happiest in the whole pride. What better joy was there for females than to nurture the cubs of the perfect male?
The whole pride was quite jealous of them for being the first to give the king cubs. That act would surely put them in his favourites among the pride.
Amid the pain, Amara could not help but rake her claws on the earth she lay on. Her claws easily ripped the dry earth and scooped up soft sand on her paws.
No one had a clue what the king was doing when he began digging like some rodent. But he was making a nest for them to lie on.
Without a doubt, Leo was the most exceptional king she had ever been under. Not only in strength but also in character, kindness and affection.
And she was cooking up the best of cubs for him.
Zuri and Tala went into hard labour soon after. The whole ordeal lasted for a day. The four lionesses helped and aided each other throughout the whole thing.
Tala and Zuri began their pushing hours at the exact same time. Amara had experience, so she became the unspoken leader. But even her experience could not prepare her for this type of childbirth.
Zuri and Tala were exceptional females, bigger and stronger than most. But they were having a very difficult childbirth. Usually, the pushing stage lasted about an hour before the cubs were born, but for them, it lasted three hours.
Eventually, Zuri gave birth to the first cub. The infant came out small, like a rodent, and in a sac. Amara and Nala helped and quickly ate the sac and cleaned the cub.
Zuri then gave birth to two more cubs. This was followed by Tala's first cub. After everything was over, there were five baby cubs in the nest. Zuri gave birth to three cubs and Tala gave birth to two.
But this world was not like the Lion King cartoon where the baby could be revealed just after birth. Instead, the babies were born almost deformed looking and completely blind of their senses. They cried and they needed to be constantly taken care of for weeks before they shaped up to look like proper cubs.
The king was also there throughout the process, observing everything with visible anxiety. The lion that never trembled in front of an army of hyenas or half a dozen lion kings found himself trembling when witnessing that scene.
When the cubs were cleaned of their fluids and sac, Leo bent down and gently nudged the cubs. He breathed on them, as if breathing his very life into their little bodies.
After all cubs were born, the king turned and bolted away. He ran and ran and ran to the highest elevation he could find.
There, he stood proud and released the greatest roar the Serengeti had heard since his first takeover.
Five roars for five cubs. Their existence acknowledged and treasured deeply.
The ground of the Serengeti shook. The vultures in the sky made a silent flight. The hyenas did not kill for the day and just celebrated.
The Serengeti welcomed its princes and princesses.
And the two females that had accomplished their job of giving birth gave a proud smile when they heard the echoes of the roar.
It was a remarkable day, one that could be written in the annals of history.
For on that day, when five roars shook the Serengeti, a legacy began.
Leo's legacy.
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[IMAGE]
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