The humid noon heat was suffocating, and we were stuck knee-deep in mud—me, my wolf brother, and the pig girl I'd saved months back from his jaws when he was starving.
"What's the plan?" I asked.
My wolf brother growled. "Plan? There's nothing to plan. I'll handle that ape and that traitor cat," he said glaring at our opponents and he returned his glare at the pig girl, "and you'd better protect my brother from that cowardly Hyena. If he even gets a scratch, I'll eat you alive!" His tongue salivating, eyes filled with hunger on her.
The glistening pink skinned Pig girl, taller, rounder and healthier than both of us, whimpered and tried to hide behind my thin, young early teen frame.
Yes, I am a human, so far the only one.
I smacked my wolf brother on the head with my knuckles.
"Ow! What was that for?" he yelped, looking hurt. "How could you hit your big brother?"
"Mother made me the pack leader, so stop causing more problems and stop bullying her," I said.
"This isn't fair. I'm three moons older than you. I hunt better. I'm stronger and faster than you."
"And I'm three seasons wiser. I know when to talk and when to keep my mouth shut," I replied. "We're in this mess because of your stupidity. I should have left you, but…" My voice dropped. "You're the only one left of our pack, so stop making things worse for both of us."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but then he just whimpered and turned away.
"Fine, I'll go with your plan, and she'll watch my back," I said, giving in to my brother's idea.
Hearing my agreement, his ears perked up. He looked relieved, maybe even happy. Now he was ready, knowing I'd be safe enough for him to fight without holding back.
But what he doesn't know is that his plan has no chance of working. This pig girl I saved? She's more of a coward than that sneaky hyena. And I'm almost sure that Hyena's just acting timid, pretending to be weak so he can catch one of us off guard.
The pig girl, though, is different. She's quiet, doesn't say much, and eats anything she finds. Honestly, if she were a guy, I'd probably feel more relaxed about her. Maybe even a bit less guilty if my brother ended up making a snack out of her someday.
Not gonna lie, though—her young pink skin looks pretty tasty. I can already imagine the sound it'd make sizzling over a fire. But then, there's her innocent eyes. Those eyes are the only reason I feel even a hint of guilt.
I sighed, looking up at the sky. "Come on, gods—send me some assholes pigs and cows, something I wouldn't feel bad about eating." This jungle is ridiculous. Nothing but seeds and bitter herbs to munch on, and not even a river close by where I could try my luck fishing.
Clearing my head of food thoughts, I turned my attention back to the pig girl. Maybe I should start naming these guys. Growing up with wolves really stunted my human imagination.
I pinched her ear and leaned in to whisper. She didn't protest—never does. Somehow, she lets me be mean to her. In fact, it's almost like a ritual between us; if a day or two passes without me giving her a hard time, her mood actually seems to sink.
Weird? Maybe, but I'm living in a Beast World, speaking fluent beast tongue, and surviving like a stone age wildling kid. At this point, I've learned not to judge. Whatever makes my life easier, right?
She nodded at my whispered instructions, her big eyes wide as she took it all in. I fixed her with a glare, pretending there'd be consequences if she didn't follow what I said. She knows my silent punishment by now: if she messes up, I'll just stop talking to her.
She nodded again, her little snout wiggling as if to promise she wouldn't dare disobey.
That was all I needed from her. The rest? Out of my control if she freezes up from terror.
A deep growl cut through the air, followed by a fierce howl.
The giant wolf-like beast emerged from the shadows. It's the same creature that captured us, the same one testing us in its own twisted way. Its eyes didn't gleam with amusement or thrill, though. It seemed… dutiful, like it was following orders.
I'm almost sure now this is some kind of wuxia sect setup. My wolf father used to tell tales of powerful beasts with flying abilities, creatures who could shape the land with their steps.
All the wolf pups were awestruck by those stories, but I'm from Earth—I've paid for shittier novels, manhwa, anime and late-night movies. So, yeah, I didn't exactly buy into a wolf's limited imagination.
But this giant grey wolf—he's got the power, all right. Everything my wolf father once boasted about? This beast could probably do it all and more. Sorry, Father, for ever doubting you.
The giant wolf's voice was deep, husky, like he couldn't be bothered to put any effort into talking. But it still rumbled through the air like distant thunder. His half-lidded eyes looked at us with sheer boredom. "Last fight of the day, maggots," he grunted, followed by a long yawn that showed teeth longer than my arm. "Winner gets fed for seven nights. Losers?" He yawned again, looking like he was about to fall asleep. "Well, you'll figure something out."
At the mention of "fed," my wolf brother's ears perked up, and his tongue drooled out, already lost in visions of a week of full stomachs. The pig girl's belly let out a growl so loud, I felt it rumble through my back.
The giant wolf scratched lazily behind his ear with one hind leg, taking his time before adding, "Oh, and the next seven days of trials?" He tilted his head, looking just slightly amused. "You'll still do them. Fed or starving, doesn't matter to me."