Aurora barely had time to steady her breathing after the impact when a low, threatening growl tore through the air, deep enough to vibrate against her bones.
Before she could fully lift her head, a flash of white shot past her. It was fast, furious, and far more dangerous than its small size suggested. And the next instant, the snow-white cub had already leapt at the man who had shoved her. Its tiny body moved with startling ferocity as its claws raked across the man's arm, leaving behind a long, angry streak of blood.
The man hissed sharply, instinctively jerking back, his expression twisting into fury as his hand moved to grab the cub mid-air. But Aurora reacted faster than even she expected. Her body moved before her mind caught up, and somehow - despite the weight that usually slowed her every action - she pushed herself upright and lunged forward, scooping the cub into her arms just before the man could lay a hand on it.
