Chapter 3
"I fell off that cliff because you scared me!" Joy yelled, and the wolf winced, whimpering. "Once I get out of here I'm going to sue you."
"Are you sure it was me?" He tilted his head at an angle. "Are you sure it wasn't your friend that actually let you fall? Who lets go of their friends hand in a situation like that?"
"Things like that happen when you're in a tough situation. She was scared," she defended Tanya and Jude scoffed.
"She was!" The woman insisted. "When you're afraid you do the unthinkable. She was having a panic attack and she let me go by accident."
"Really? That's what you're going with? An accident. You probably think the car crash was an accident too, don't you?" He mumbled the question, but she heard.
"It was. Wait you saw all that? If you saw all that why didnt you help us?"
"Because it was none of my business. At the time."
"And when I fell into the river it became your business?"
"Precisely. You were now on our territory."
"So, you only help people if it involves you? Otherwise you wouldn't dare to help anyone." She muttered. "You are a selfish weasel."
"If I were you I wouldn't talk to me like that." He took a threatening step forward, but Joy stood her ground.
"Yeah right," she huffed. Sure, you're a wolf but I know that you're not allowed to eat or kill humans. Your friend stupidly told me that. And..." she gazed around the hut, scrunching her nose. "Clearly you're not anyone of power in this... doggie house."
"Hut."
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes, sitting down on Thomas. "Bottom line is that you can't do anything to me."
"I can withhold certain information from you."
"Like what?"
"What you're going to eat, where to go to the bathroom, what to wear, and so on."
"I have no appetite. I can hold it in. I don't wear clothes I didn't design myself. And so on." She parroted his drawl, a twinkle in her eyes.
"Your stomach says otherwise. I give you an hour. Narcissist."
The wolf stepped closer and lied down in front of her, letting out a whimper. His eyes were a bright blue, mesmerizing. She stretched her hand, digging her fingers into his thick fur, drawn to it. She rubbed back and forth, using both hands. He released a vibrating throaty sound, his tail wagging automatically.
"Woah," Joy breathed. "This would make-"
His head moved back, a growl escaping from him. His eyes turned a darker shade of blue.
"Nothing. It's beautiful where it is," she chuckled nervously. "Just beautiful," she mumbled and he allowed her to continue rubbing his fur. "Where's your son?" She blurted, looking around, stopping the strangely comfortable activity. "He hasn't been back for a while. Aren't you worried?"
"This place is a lot safer than you think Joy." He stood up. "Let me show you around since you'll be staying here for the next two months."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves wolfy," she mirrored his actions as he growled at the nickname. "My family will be here any second now. I'm not just anyone, I won't be staying here for long."
"Okay, while you wait for them let me show you around then." He started for the door. "There's no point in sitting in here like a prisoner when there's so much to do."
"You're far too calm for someone who might get into trouble for bringing a human to your enchanted village." She folded her arms, giving him a knowing look. "I heard what your sister said. You'll get into trouble with your leader for bringing me here."
"First of all, I won't get into trouble. Second of all, it's not like I took you from the human world and brought you here, you fell into the river and I rescued you so he'll understand." The wolf turned back. "I need to change back, you go first."
The sun was at its highest peak, its rays dancing over a stream that ran past the hut and through the village. A few children played near the stream, splashing each other with the sparkling water, it almost looked magical. Joy recognised one of the children as Khaya, who waved and she waved back. Jude's footsteps crunched behind her and she turned to him.
"I want to-" She stopped talking, cut off by his shirtless form. His perfectly sculpted abs glistened under the sun. She could see a diamond-shaped tattoo and inscriptions next to it on his bicep.
"Goodness gracious me!" She shrieked, turning back to face the children with her eyes closed. "Are you serious?"
"About what?" His eyebrows furrowed. "Khaya don't push him into the water!" He yelled at the child, then stood in front of Joy. "Am I serious- Why are your eyes closed?" He gazed at her.
"I'm a little uncomfortable with the... umm... the situation."
"Is it too bright out here?"
"No! Put a shirt on!" She hissed, opening her eyes, a fierce glare in them.
"Okay, its here," he held it up and wore it over his head.
"And keep it on." She started for a random direction.
"Guess we'll see the waterfall first," Jude mumbled.
***
The roar of the water cascading over the edge of a cliff got louder as they approached the waterfall. A mist kissed Joys thirsty skin and she felt the urge to undress and place herself under the cataract, to wash this strange dream away.
"You are far too calm for someone who just landed in werewolf territory." His steady gaze lingered on her somewhat tranquil face.
"Is that where I fell from?" She ignored him and he followed her line of sight.
"Yes."
"Isn't there a way to climb back up? If I can climb up there I can try to find my way back to our accident scene. They're probably looking for me around there."
"You can give it a try if you want to, but I can't climb with you."
"Whatever dude, you don't have to." She stepped into a path that led to the bottom of the cliff and he followed her.
The plants were a lot greener and the air a lot fresher as they moved closer to the giant rock.
"There's a lot of plant life over there," she pointed to a few shrubs that lined themselves up the hill, "I can hold on to them as I climb up." She rubbed her hands together and stretched herself. "Thank you for taking care of me though you did a suckish job, you didn't even feed me," her stomach growled and she smiled up at him. "But thanks for healing my leg."
"You sure are confident in yourself."
"I'm a certified rock climber and there are shrubs here so this should be a piece of cheese cake." She winked, holding on to a small brush. "I bid you adieu," she grunted, heaving herself up.
Jude watched as she effortlessly commanded her strong hands and legs to move upward in perfect harmony. The view from the bottom was absolutely breath-taking for him.
The rock rumbled beneath Joy, the small brunches of the shrubs sticking out. She lost her grip and footing, letting out a yelp as she descended. She didn't hit the ground, but landed on strong arms.
"Bienvenue", Jude grinned.
"Ha ha," she rolled her eyes, wriggling off him.
"What happened?" She huffed, clapping the leaves off her hands. Her palm stung, and she observed a bloody cut. "Ouch," she mumbled, looking up at the rock. She rubbed her hands together again and stretched, reaching for the branch again. She made it up a few meters, but lost her grip again and slipped. Jude caught her again.
"Something's wrong," she gazed into his green eyes.
"Yeah, you're stubborn."
"Wait, you try climbing up I need to see something." She patted his bicep, an indication for him to put her down.
"I can't," he shrugged. "I'd only slide back down."
"I guess wolves aren't really good at this sort of thing." She kissed her teeth.
"It's not that. If you look around, from the cliff, all around the village," he pointed and she followed his finger, "we're basically in a giant dish protected by… magic. No one gets in without permission and no one gets out without permission. If you try to, you'll only slide back down."
"Okay fine why didn't you say so? I've got cuts on my hands because of you."
"We've only just met but you're adopting this habit of blaming me for your misfortunes and if you continue this is going to be a long two months for the both of us."
"Whatever," she waved her hand at his face. "If you can't get in without permission how did I get in then? How did I get permission?" She ran both hands through her afro. "This is so frustrating." Tears stung her eyes. "I know that I look calm but I'm really not. I feel like I'm going to go crazy if I stay here any longer. I smell so bad and I'm so hungry." As she was about to wipe her tears away, Jude caught her hands.
"It stings. The plant you were touching." He let her hands fall to her sides and gently moved his thumbs to her cheeks, swiping the tears away. "I know it can be frustrating having to adjust to a foreign place. But, since this is my fault, allow me to take care of you." His eyes had the ability to capture hers, hold them, and enchant her. They turned a deep shade of green that matched the sincerity in his voice.
"I got it in my hair," she whimpered.
"What?"
"The plant is in my hair."
"You can wash it off." He dug his hands into her afro, massaging her scalp.
She pulled her head away, searching around for nothing in particular. "Where's the bathroom?" She asked.
"Follow me." He led her back to his hut and a few meters beyond. A few of the villagers would stop and greet him, only giving her a glance.
"Do they know I'm human?" She whispered.
"No, they just know you're new."
"Your sister said something about my blood not smelling human? What did she mean?"
"Jem sometimes just says things she doesn't mean to scare people. Don't listen to her too much." He gestured to a small building located in what seemed to be the middle of the village.
Khaya stepped out of the right door, an expression of satisfaction on his face. His eyes lit up when he saw them.
"It's all done," he grinned.
"What?" Joy glanced at Jude.
"I asked him to prepare a bath for you."
"We were together the whole time, when did you ask him?"
"Telepathy," Jude answered and gestured for her to enter through the left door. She stepped in gazing around the dark room, the only light seeping through the open door and a small window. It shined on a medium sized bucket filled to the brim with steaming water decorated with rose petals. A grey fur dress was hung on a hook on the wall.
"What is this?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Your bath."
"Okay, but where's the tub? And the bubble bath? Or soap? I don't see a towel." She released a laugh. "You call this a bath?"
Khaya's eyes fell to the floor and he let out a whimper. Joy felt her heart sink.
"But-But the rose petals smell really lovely," she moved to the bucket and scooped up a few petals, sniffing them, "wow, I'm going to smell like such lovely roses." She smiled, and he looked up, his eyes shining a bit.
"Let's go to the other room," Jude winked and she followed him out. He opened the door and her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"It's a hole!" She screamed. "It's an actual hole, I've only ever seen these on school textbooks. Oh my gosh its a hole!" She walked out of the room clutching her stomach and covering her mouth. "No way! No freakin way, I'm going home! Get your leader here, I'm going home. I'm not about to go number two in a bloody hole. It doesn't even flush."
"It's not that bad," Jude chuckled and Khaya let out a boisterous laugh. Both their eyes twinkled, showing clearly their striking resemblance.
"Don't laugh at me, I want to go home!" She yelled, which tickled Khaya even more.
"Come pup," Jude took Khayas hand.
"No, you can't leave me here what if I fall into the hole?"
"Just scream and daddy will come running," Khaya responded.
"You will?" She looked at Jude, a small pout on her lips.
"I will." He smiled, then heaved Khaya up and placed him over his shoulder.
Joy's heart would have melted at the father and son if she was not so concerned about her situation.
"Okay," she huffed, entering the bathroom. "I'll just splash the water on myself real quick." She began to undress, observing her fresh cuts from the cliff climbing.
"And then the man just walked out on me," a voice and footsteps approached the bathroom.
"Oh no," she whispered to herself, covering her body with the dirty clothes.
Three women entered the bathroom, buckets of water in their hands. One had blonde hair, and honey coloured eyes. She was tall and had a slim figure. The next one had green hair lined with purple streaks. In the dim light produced by the window, her eyes looked black. She was shorter than the first lady, but had an equally slim figure. Lady number three, with her forest green eyes and black hair was curvy in all the right places, her height the same as the purple-haired lady.
"Excuse me, this bathroom is still occupied," Joy told them. Jemima turned, giving her a cold once over.
With a chilly tone, Jemima's voice filled the bathroom.
"If you're uncomfortable, you can leave."
25 DAYS EARLIER
"You guys always find new ways of disappointing me. Tanya where do you find these people," Joy glanced at her friend who shrugged. "It's like I'm talking to myself."
"Fire them if you aren't happy," Tanya responded.
"Should I?" She scrunched her nose. "These guys cant tell the difference between oak wood and pine wood. Cerulean blue and turquoise blue. Still water and sparkling water." She held the water glass up to her assistant. "And the glass dirty," she pouted. The assistant bit on her lower lip, her eyes down cast.
"Woah, you don't get to be sad. I'm the one who should be sad," Joy scolded, pointing to herself. "I understand that you're new, but I'm running out of patience. Familiarize yourself with the way we do things here. If you're uncomfortable, you can leave."