A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 400

The following day, everyone woke up to a dozen wild chickens and rabbits laid neatly by the extinguished campfire.

The tiger sat nearby, watching them. When it saw they were awake, it raised a paw and pointed at the dead firepit, letting out a low roar.

"What's it saying?" Everyone turned to Demi with wide eyes.

"They want grilled chicken and rabbit," Demi translated matter-of-factly.

The group collectively gasped in realization.

"They've gotten addicted to cooked food!"

"That's... kind of adorable."

"Alright, we'll roast them up for you."

The group laughed and got to work again—rebuilding the fire and starting to cook.

Before long, the aroma of roasted meat and mushroom soup filled the air. The grilled meat was served respectfully in front of the tiger and two lions.

The tiger, ever courteous, let out a few grunts at Demi. It apparently had asked her to let everyone else eat, too.

After she translated, everyone let out another round of amazed sighs.

"Is the tiger always this polite?"

"If we stick with these guys, we'll be eating fresh wild game every day."

"Mmm, wild meat really does taste better."

Everyone was overjoyed—everyone except the Pitt siblings, who couldn't seem to find their place in this easy camaraderie.

…

After breakfast, they packed up and prepared to continue with their journey.

Demi checked in with Wendy and Caitlin to make sure their feet were okay. Once confirmed, she patted the tiger and two lions and sent them off.

"I really wanted to spend the night in the tiger's den," George mumbled wistfully.

"We can't sleep there anymore, but I can give you a tour," Demi said.

Everyone's gazes lit up in delight.

Back in the mountains, Daniel took the staff's phone and stepped a few paces away from the group to answer the call.

"Dad."

"Is there any sign she's softening up? Is Demi coming around?" Stephen's voice was anxious, borderline frantic.

Daniel hesitated. He didn't know how to tell Stephen that Ana had managed to enrage Demi again, and now things were worse than ever.

Daniel didn't even need to look to know who it was. He turned slowly, frustrated and annoyed. "Thomas, no one asked you to speak."

Stephen snapped at the other end of the call, "What did Thomas say? Hand him the phone. Now."

Thomas took the phone and launched into a blow-by-blow retelling of yesterday's events without waiting for any questions.

Daniel tried multiple times to interrupt, explain, or defend Ana, but he couldn't even find the words.