Louisa’s POV
"Big paw! Is that you?" I stretched out my arms towards that figure.
The figure jumped quickly at me.
But as soon as he approached me, I realized that he wasn’t the big black wolf.
He was shorter and skinnier than him.
"Surprise, surprise." The voice sounded sinister, "A naked lady in the cave! Today’s really my lucky day."
My heart sank immediately.
"Don’t come closer!" I said, "I was just bitten by a red cobra and wolf spiders. If you touch me, you’ll be poisoned."
"I have never heard of anything more stupid than that." that voice smirked, "Poison isn’t contagious, but stupidity is. But since I’ve been alone for a really long tie, I guess I’ll take my chance today."
As he said, he started to approach me.
I used my only available hand to press against him.
"Stay away from me! My friend will come and he will rip you into pieces!" I screamed in a scratchy voice.
The elephants walking into the cave seemed to notice my scream, they started trumpeting again.
"Fucking stinky pigs, you guys are too fucking noisy!" The voice got irritated.
He grabbed my arms and tried to lift me up.
But then, he froze.
I guess he saw the branding marks on my chest.
"Damn, you’re Alpha Lucas’ bitch?" he yawped.
"Let go of me! Go away! He will come back in a few minutes and you’ll be dead." I yelled.
"You look so skinny." he said, "I guess Alpha Lucas has left you alone in a cave for a reason. He has abandoned you, hasn’t he? So, I can do whatever I want to you."
He then pulled me up and placed me on his shoulder like a sack.
He gushed with words while he was walking out of the cave, "I’ll take you back to the camp and have you in my tent. I’ll make you pregnant and you’ll give birth to my sons. Then, I’ll trade you with my other rouges."
He smelt awful.
The thought of having him inside my body was terrifying.
I struggled in his arms while screaming, "Help! Help me! I don’t want to go with this man! Help me!"
Then, he suddenly stopped.
"What the fuck are you doing, stupid swine!" he shouted, "Stay out of my way!"
I used all my efforts to turn back and saw the blurry figures of giant elephants.
They were blocking his way out!
"What do you want?!" He threw me on the floor and I heard the sound of a sword getting out of its sheath.
I struggled to lift my head and saw the man’s figure was charing towards an elephant.
He then swung his sword and slashed it at one of the elephant’s legs.
"No! Leave them alone!" I screeched.
At almost the same time, the elephant used its trunk to sweep at the man.
It was a fierce and fast full blow.
The man wasn’t able to brace himself before he was swiped against the cave wall into a paste of meat, with blood and liquid splashing everywhere.
I couldn’t see it clearly, but I was absolutely sure that this man was instantly dead.
I covered my mouth so I didn’t make any sound.
One of the elephants strode next to me.
I wanted to crawl back but my body was frozen by fear.
It looked as if its giant feet were about to step on me.
But then, it stopped.
I looked up at its giant leg and I could see the blurry cut which was caused by the man’s sword.
I felt sad to see a wounded animal.
I cried and lifted my arm towards its wound.
The elephant trumped in a low voice and wrapped its nose around my waist.
It lifted me up in the air and held me at eye level.
I could see its giant ears flapping around.
Its eyes were locked on mine.
"She wanted to talk to you." my wolf said, "It’s very difficult to hear their voice when you’re in hUman form. But if you concentrate, you’ll hear."
I took a deep breath and looked into the elephant’s eyes.
"What are you doing in our sacred cave, you little two-legged creature?" Her voice was faint but steady.
"I’m sorry." I apologized, "I was taken here. I didn’t know this is your place. I’m just waiting for my friend to pick me up and I’ll be gone."
"Are you crying?" she asked.
Her voice was mellow. It reminded me of Uma.
"Yes." I wiped my tears, "I’m just so sad to see you get hurt because of me."
"It’s just a little scratch. It will be healed." she said, alternating her front legs.
"Thank you for helping me." I said.
"You’re welcome." she said, lifting me up to her head, "You can lie down on my head for a while and wait for your friend. There’re a lot of spiders and scorpions on the ground."
I lie on my stomach on her head.
Her skin was rough, but also moist and cool. I patted the wrinkles and cracks on her skin and said, "You’re very kind. Thank you."
"You’re very polite." she said, "Do you mind me eating something while we’re waiting?"
"Not at all." I said.
She strode into the cave, peeling off the chunks of soft rocks on the wall with her trunk before putting them into her mouth.
Then, she crunched and swallowed them.
"Do you think we’re crazy? Eating chalks?" she munched and said.
"No, I guess there’s a reason behind everything. It’s just I’m too stupid to understand." I replied.
"Our ancestors found the volcanic rocks contain something that could neutralize the toxin in our diet. Too much lianas toxin in our system makes us lunatic and run out of the cliff." she said.
I notice there were some smaller figures next to her legs.
"Are they your children?" I asked.
"They’re my daughters." she introduced, "My sons have already left us to join the bachelor herd."
"Mommy, why there’s a talking creature on your head?" a small girl’s voice asked.
"She needs our help." she replied.
"She’s got only two legs. She looks so cute. Can I play with her?" the girl asked.
"She’s sick. She’ll play with you when she’s recovered." the mother elephant replied.
"Can I sniff her?" the girl asked.
"You can’t sniff her. HUmans don’t like to be sniffed." the mother elephant said.
"You can sniff me if you want." I said, "I’m a werewolf, so I don’t mind."
"What’s a ‘where-wolf’?" the girl asked.
"I’m a hUman, but sometimes I can shift into a wolf if I want." I said.
"Why do you want to do that?" the girl asked, "Wolves have four legs and are smelly."
The mother elephant used her trunk to shovel a mouthful of rock into the girl’s mouth.
"You’ve asked too many questions today." the mother elephant said, "Give her a break."
Just as we were talking, I sensed the restlessness of the elephant herd.
Then, I saw a giant black figure appear at the entrance of the cave.
I rubbed my eyes and tried to see clearly but I failed.
Still, I knew it was the big black wolf.
He came back to me.
But he was not alone.