He had failed her. Over and over again the thought torments his mind. As much as he hated to admit it, Liland had grown into a formidable foe over the past few season and well, Rougaru had not been prepared.

You are weak. the wolf's voice growls in disapproval. He had let Warsaw's battle zap his energy but still that pride remained. What is pride without wisdom? the wolf argued, determined to place the blame on his weakened body and mind. "I am NOT weak!" the words fall past his lips in a quiet growl. He was not weak. He could not be weak. They depended on him. SHE depended on him.

Zjeena.

She will not be happy. She will think you weak. the beast torments him with its words, disappointment gleaming beneath the yellow gold of its eyes. He should have waited. He should have given his body time to heal after the battle instead of letting the beast control him. He should have thought things through and made the beast see reason. Instead he had seen Zjeena.

In that moment, all the fury and hatred returned. He should have held onto that image in battle, used the strength of her gaze to propel him to victory. Instead he sank in defeat. She will be waiting. Rougaru knew this. What Zjeena he returned to he was not sure of.

Zjeena.

Like a flood of rain upon the parched earth she is there. No longer does the heat of autumn cling to her skin but her scent is intoxicating just the same. Emerald ooids draw from the clouded confusion of his mind as she draws near her voice soft and her brown eyes once more tender. She is not the beast now.

But it will return. the wolf whispers. when she hears, it will return.

For the first time, dread forms in the furrows of his brow. Uncertainty lingers in his steps as gingerly he turns his body to face her.

"There she is." the words tumble unbidden from his lips as he closes the distance between them, unable to leave her alone to tremble. Her words are choked in her lungs as she speaks, her head drooping in the defeat he felt. Was he defeated. "No..." he murmurs. No. He was not defeated. This was his fault. It was the wolf's fault. It was never her fault.

Tenderly he reaches for her, his whiskered lips press against the soft cream fur of her cheek. "I am sorry that I failed you.... I am sorry I couldnt... it wont happen again. I promise you will have your freedom from him." he dare not speak the gray bastard's name. "I love you Zjeena. I will burn his world to the ground if it takes my dying breath I will see it happen." he murmurs, his emerald eyes shutting tight, savoring the touch of her skin while it was still his to touch. "Stay... stay with me. Dont shut me out. I need you... I need your strength." he whispers drawing a step back to search her dark gaze.