If the two brothers actually managed to "take care of" a female to the point of death, they would become the laughingstock of the entire tribe.
"Bring the meat."
Danai picked up a slab of raw meat from nearby and handed it to Zed. The moment Bonnie realized what Zed intended to do, her face went pale. Staring at the blood-soaked chunk of flesh, she shook her head frantically.
The thick, metallic stench of blood flooded her nostrils. With the meat held so close, her stomach churned violently, bile rising in her throat.
Just as the raw meat was about to be forced into her mouth, a surge of filthy vomit erupted from Bonnie's lips—splattering all over Zed's hands.
"Ah! Disgusting! You filthy, stinking crazy female!"
Zed stared at the vomit coating his hands, veins bulging in fury. In that instant, he truly felt the urge to strangle this maddening female.
Bonnie's mind went blank. The last thing she saw was Zed's rage-filled face before everything went dark.
She completely passed out.
When Bonnie woke again, she found herself inside an unfamiliar cave.
The memory of what had happened before she fainted made her skin crawl.
She wiped at her lips. Her stomach was completely empty now—there was nothing left for her to vomit even if she tried.
"You're awake. Then get up and eat something."
A voice heavy with age and weariness sounded nearby. Only then did Bonnie notice an elderly beastman with graying hair sitting beside the stone bed.
The old beastman lifted a stone bowl and set it next to her. Even before looking, Bonnie caught the rich aroma of cooked meat, and her stomach let out an eager growl.
Seeing the large stone bowl, Bonnie discarded all pretenses. Cradling it with difficulty, she began eating with desperate enthusiasm.
The meat had been cooked and shredded, seasoned only lightly with salt. It carried a faint gamey taste, but it was well within her tolerance.
She was simply far too hungry.
The old shaman watched her devour the food and spoke gently,
"Slow down. There's no need to rush."
Bonnie nodded, offering him a grateful smile.
This old shaman seemed kind—far more approachable than anyone else she had met so far.
When the old shaman stepped out of the cave, he saw the tribe chief standing at the entrance along with Danai and Zed.
The chief wasn't especially concerned about the crazy, weak female herself.
His concern lay elsewhere.
Females were precious.
In a tribe of over a thousand beastmen, there were barely a dozen females.
No beastman was willing to form a bond with this crazy female. In the future, she would become a shared mate of the tribe.
Even if she was foolish, as long as she could reproduce, that would be enough—especially if she could give birth to lively, adorable female cubs.
"How exactly are you taking care of her?" the old shaman demanded sharply. "How can a female be fed raw meat?"
His tone was filled with clear displeasure as he scolded the two brothers.
This wasn't the first time he'd said it. These brats never listened—his words always went in one ear and out the other.
Females were delicate. Eating raw meat for long periods not only made digestion difficult but also caused illness. And once a female fell ill, death was never far behind.
The death of a single female was no small matter for a tribe.
The old chief shot the brothers a fierce glare.
Zed shifted his gaze guiltily. It wasn't as though he was the only one who treated the crazy female this way.
Every male beastman who took turns caring for her did the same.
The old shaman understood at once.
This crazy female was unloved. When it came to her care, everyone simply went through the motions.
But no matter what, she was still a female.
The old shaman sighed inwardly. How pitiful.
"Don't forget how this little female's beast-father died."
Gripping his walking staff tightly, the old shaman slammed it heavily against the ground.
These youngsters truly lacked discipline.
Even if she was a crazy female, she was still a female—and females should never be treated like this.
Especially when the Wolf Tribe owed her beast-father an enormous debt.
The old chief stiffened. Shame flushed his face, and he grew visibly uncomfortable. Turning in anger toward Danai and Zed, he snapped,
"You two useless little wolf brats! If I ever hear again that you're feeding this crazy fe—this female Bonnie raw meat, I'll skin you alive."