Rougaru was not foolhardy enough to believe that the feeble alliance that he had built between himself and the Ridge would last forever. He had hoped that the birth of Hades and the shared vision of a united island would serve to build strong the thread of companionship between himself and the black mare. However that was before the realization that the golden spotted mare that he had come across on the main island and followed him home, held some special place in Rivaini and Foalain’s hearts.Though he himself would never be able to understand their relationship or the closeness that bonded them together, Rougaru did respect them in a sense as Faolain had proved to be a worthy fighter. Rivaini, reserved, quiet and thoughtful Rivaini, was clearly the mind behind the duo, but together they seemed to work as one. While Rougaru knew he would never be whole without Monster or even Zjeena, he still knew the wolf could function of sorts. The beast thought nothing more except what was primal needs. Food, shelter, procreation, defend and protect. These things the wolf itself only thought of, it was up to Rougaru to feel such emotions as love, affection, empathy and understanding. It was the wolf that had claimed Cicek, the wolf that allowed all sense and reason to disappear as the golden mare begged for him to be her lover. The stallion saw the reason behind it, felt the fuel of hormones and the sense of justice in procreation. However it was clear after her fever and delirium passed, that the golden woman had not seen things in such a manner. She had painted him into a monster, her once tender eyes rimmed with white and wild with fear and fury. Rougaru had not fought her, dared not to restrain her or compel her to remain as a hidden gem on his side of the island. However when her scent trail led to the Ridge, the wolf knew trouble would not far follow behind.

So far, aside from the occasional hard glare from Rivaini, Faolain and the silver haired woman kept their herd to themselves and far from the border they shared. On occasion, he had caught a glimpse of the sunshine woman that had so sensuously curled around him those months ago, but it was always a fleeting glance and even that had been some months now. Perhaps she had gone back to Solomon? According to him that was where she belonged, however it was odd her attraction to the lovers of the Ridge. A twisted triangle indeed.

It had been some time since last he thought of the golden woman but the guardians of the ridge were never far from his mind. He had not missed the sudden influx of stallions' scents as of late beyond his border or the sweet scent of milk that clung to both leaders' scents. Occasionally he caught a glimpse of the dark Faolain and even the wolf found its golden eyes widening in surprise at the swell of her barrel. He imagined Atlantis would have frozen over first. But it is this that causes his unease. His experience with his own mares, especially Monster, told him that the change in hormones could prove to throw any sense of caution out the window for some. Today he would not be wrong.

Chelle was a pretty little creature, a painted woman with long red hair and bright green eyes that immediately caught his attention. Her likes were wasted on Cain. The wolf enjoyed the fact that he could return the desert stallion a favor. It had been the damned black and white stallion that stole his midnight sky beauty from him even before she had a chance to dry off from the trip home. At least Rougaru had waited for Chelle to dry off first. The wolf wanted a bond to build, wanted the black and white stallion to feel himself drawn to the painted woman. The wolf wanted to watch with golden eyes alight as Rougaru swept her away from his grasp with a broken heart and body. He was not fool enough to imagine that Cain would let such a threat go lightly, but it was a start in building up discord that had long lay dormant on the islands.

However it was not Cain who came for her. Despite the careful manner in which he watched the shores, waiting patiently for the black and white desert stallion to appear, the threat came from within.

Ears fell backwards in disdain as the scent of Faolain flooded his nostrils. It was curiosity more than anything else that brought him to follow her wondering if something had happened to his son or their herd. Though he was not king of the island as he wanted, he had promised at one time to bend his rule to her, even if that time had been one short lived.

Chelle.

Faolain tried to be quiet but the hush of her voice was louder even than the ragged sorrow that broke past the red and white mare’s lips. Golden eyes gleam behind green as Rougaru feels the muscles tense beneath his deep chocolate colored skin. Ears disappear beneath the thick curling layers of his cream and caramel colored mane as Rougaru bursts past the brush and charges the dark woman. Ash dusted lips part as ivory teeth snap audibly, his thickly coiled neck stretching out to allow his warning to be placed where it may land. Thick tail switches against his hocks, the sting of the ends awakening the long dormant protector that had long lazed in the peace and sunshine. Paper thin nostrils flare as the stallion snorted, multifaceted eyes of emerald whirling as he placed himself between Faolain and the crumbled form of Chelle. ”Are you really willing to do this now Faolain?” he asks, his voice hard, void of emotion as the wolf takes control. ”Are you willing to fracture the fragile alliance between us? I shall not ask again.”