Maya leaned down, sniffed the top of small Leo’s soft head, and smiled warmly at her mate.

She patted Marcus gently on the shoulder, giving him a gentle nudge of approval before settling down on the soft grass nearby to enjoy the warm sun.

Marcus looked out at the thick green trees, the warm gray rocks, and the peaceful sanctuary around them.

Being a giant silverback leader came with many heavy responsibilities in the wild forest.

You had to protect the troop from danger, search for the best fruit trees, and maintain order among the group every single day.

But as Marcus sat there in the warm sunlight, watching his baby breathe softly on the stone beside him, he knew the truth deep down in his heart.

No battle in the deep jungle could ever match the quiet, terrifying, and immensely rewarding victory of successfully putting a tired baby to sleep. 💛