Many months have passed since Surak and Kweli's wedding. Their life together so far was happy and peaceful. But, everything would soon change. One day, the two were at the watering hole with their friend and healer, Nirmala. When Kweli, Surak's mate, tried to stand, she felt strange.
She began to feel a bit heavy and her stomach was the size of her head alone! That's when Kweli realized; she would soon become a mother. "Surak? My cub will be on the way soon," the lioness explained with slight urgency in her voice. The usually unfazed Surak was ecstatic by this news! Not only was he the uncle of Queen Rani and her brother, Baliyo, but he would soon become a father as well. Although Surak was excited, he also knew that it was quite a responsibilty that he would soon have to take.
A few months later, the big night arrived! A precious baby cub would soon be born. Surak was elated about this, but Kweli was petrified and didn't know what to expect. "Surak, do you think I can do this?" she asked nervously. "Kweli, you can do this! Be strong and you will make it. And when you look into our son and daughter's eyes, it will all be worth it," Surak reassured his wife.
The young lioness's mesmerizing green eyes lit up with determination as she and Surak went to their special spot behind the magnificent Tree of Life. Queen Rani, King Kion, Baliyo, and the rest of the Night Pride soon found out of the incident and did all they could to prepare for the new cub. When it seemed that Kweli was prepared to give birth, they lifted her inside the Tree. Many hours of aggravating pain passed. Kweli was hurting more and more by the minute.
During that time however, she was supported by her family and friends who encouraged her along the way.
And finally, right before sunrise, Kweli gave the final push and out slid a tiny cub. The lioness was panting from adrenaline and fatigue. Surak peered behind her as his eyes quickly lit up. "The cub is here, Kweli!" he excitedly shouted. Kweli looked over her shoulderblade and saw her new baby trying to crawl toward her.
The entire pride cheered over their friends' victory. Makini, the king and queen's Royal Mjuzi, inspected the cub and came to a conclusion. "It's a girl!" she happily shouted. Surak and Kweli gasped in happiness. Kweli had given birth to a daughter!
Her eyes watered as she admired her new baby. Surak stared down at his new daughter with pride. Queen Rani and her family were overjoyed as well. They had a new aunt and an adorable baby cousin. "What should we name her, Kweli?" Surak curiously asked.
"I would like to call her Amani," the lioness joyfully answered. Although Amani was a girl, she looked almost identical to her father. She had Kweli's turquoise eyes and markings, but also Surak's appearance and build.
A few months have passed since Amani's birth. She grew from a tiny newborn to a spirited young cub. Kweli taught her many games she played as a cub. Surak, Amani's father, told his daughter many legends told to him by Amani's late grandmother, Queen Janna. The cub was headstrong, but she knew when to stay out of trouble.
One night, she was kidnapped by Mama Binturong and her adoptive daughter, Kiki. When Surak and Kweli came back from patrol, they found her gone!