CHHAVA: The prince of the Jungle

The jungle was silent again, but the cub did not feel at ease.

The hyenas had left, yet their presence lingered, like a shadow stretching over his thoughts.

Their laughter had been more than just a sound. It had been a message.

A promise.

He would see them again.

And the next time, they would not leave so easily.

The cub tried to push the encounter from his mind, but he could not.

His mother and siblings had already moved on, returning to the safety of the den, but he remained restless. He stared into the darkness of the jungle, ears twitching at every rustle.

Then, a memory surfaced—one from his past life.

A dimly lit room. The smell of old books and ink. A voice, smooth and persuasive.

*"Sign it."*

A hesitation.

A false smile.

And then—betrayal.

The cub exhaled sharply. The memory faded, but the feeling remained.

Betrayal.

The hyenas would return.

And when they did, he would be ready.

---