The Mwamba lion pride are the largest in Zambia's Luangwa Valley: three dominant males, several experienced lionesses, plus their yearlings--adolescents on the cusp of adulthood. The future of the pride depends on these yearlings learning to hunt quickly, but an ambush by a local hyena clan has set them back. To survive, they will have to hone their skills and start contributing to the hunt.

For lion cub Milo, being born into a strong clan in the Luangwa Valley should be enough to secure his future. But a devastating loss triggers a chain of events that sees him rejected by his parents. As the sole surviving cub, he has become a burden for the pride. If Milo is to win his way back into favor, he will need to fend for himself and prove he can keep up--but does he have what it takes?

The members of the Nsefu pride take a huge risk: they're leaving their home turf, and crossing the Luangwa River in search of prey. Navigating croc-infested waters is a challenge, especially for the pride's yearling, dubbed the Misfit. It's a foolhardy gamble, but hunger has forced their hand. If they're to succeed, they'll need the Misfit to come of age--their very survival depends on it.