Zok thought he would feel pain when he woke up, but there was nothing. He couldn't even feel his limbs. He felt anxious being alone in the dark and hastily opened his eyes. He was back in his bed, and it was already nighttime. He tried getting up but couldn't as he did not have the energy to do so. He was completely drained.
Even his throat was completely dry and so was his mouth. He wanted something to drink to get rid of the dry feeling in his mouth but there was nothing in the room that could help him. So with his back on the bed, he looked around the room to see if anyone was there to help him. It was then Zok heard a low growl from beside his bed.
All of his exhaustion and tiredness was thrown immediately thrown out of the window as Zok sat up straight. He was familiar with the growl, he looked by his side and sure enough, the commander wolf was busy snoozing there.
"So it wasn't a dream then..." Zok sighed in relief, "This wolf really saved me. But what is it doing here, in my room? Is anybody here?"
Zok yelled in the dark which woke up the wolf from its slumber. Its eyes were shining yellow in the dark as he looked at Zok, who was warped in a cacoon of medicinal leaves. Zok thought he would be afraid of the wolf, but for some reason, he wasn't. In fact, he kind of felt happier and safer knowing the wolf was there. The wolf did not stay awake for long though it placed its head on Zok's lap and fell back to sleep.
"Oh... alright... feel free to use me as a pillow. I think you deserve that much." Zok mumbled before stroking the wolf's thick white fur, "Wow, your fur sure is soft. Strange... I was feeling weak a moment ago but now I don't. Guess my body is more resilient than-"
"Your body is weaker than tulak's turd." Ahuli interrupted his brother before inviting himself into Zok's room, "It's all thanks to the wolf and master Suhi that you're even alive. Here drink this, you must be thirsty after sleeping for two days straight."
"I was down for two days?" Zok babbled out loud, "Wait... what's this?"
"A potion. Master Suhi made it himself. Said it would help your body heal quicker."
"Alright... that aside why are you here?"
"Your partner here," Ahuli said while stroking the wolf's stomach, "Does not allows anyone except me or master Suhi to even enter the room. And since someone had to take care of you, I volunteered to do that."
Ahuli's voice woke up the wolf again, but it didn't mind his presence around Zok. Apart from Zok, the wolf only trusted Ahuli and Suhi, no one else. It was also the reason why no one was able to meet Zok while he was unconscious. The wolf simply didn't allow anyone apart from the ones it trusted to enter the room. Not even Zok's mother.
"Wait... the wolf is my partner!?"
"You bet she is. Everyone in the tribe is shocked by the fact as well. Maybe they are even more shocked than you are." Ahuli lightly patted his brother on the back, "You gotta give her a name as well! Have you ever thought about it?"
"I mean I have thought about names and stuff... just don't know whether it'll suit her or not."
"What do you have in mind?"
"How about Kaira?" as soon as Zok uttered her new name, Kaira's ears pricked up and she gave him a lick before once again falling asleep, "She is lazy..."
"Look who's talking..." Ahuli shook his head before looking out of the window, "By the way, Sera came to see you while you were knocked down. Of course, Kaira didn't let her inside the room."
"That's mighty nice of her... considering I couldn't meet her a couple of days ago- Ughh!" Zok almost threw up as he brought the bowl closer to his mouth. It had the foulest smell ever, "The hell is this stuff made out of?"
"I think it's a mixture of a few berries and herbs along with..." Ahuli almost blurted out the most important ingredient was but stopped at the last second. However, Zok had already caught on to it and wanted an answer.
"Along with?"
"Tulak pee."
"Oh hell no! I ain't drinking that!"
"Just do it. It's good for your health and will- oh no..."
Before Ahuli could complete what he was saying, there was a bright flash outside. It was so bright that it turned night into day for a couple of moments. Unlike Ahuli, Zok wasn't familiar with the white light coming from the forest. A new cave had appeared in the wilderness and that wasn't good news. Ahuli didn't say a word and rushed to get this father. Zok wanted to join them but Kaira didn't let him. Even she could sense something was off.