Annubis knew it was foolish to think that one successful trip to the main island without father’s consent might change the grouchy old stallion. However he did have hope. A hope that was dashed nearly as quickly as once more Rougaru sanctioned him for patrolling duties. He stood there with mouth agape for a moment, eyes of golden yellow staring at the larger form of his chocolate colored sire with as much surprise as if he had suddenly begun to speak in foreign tongues. He had bragged proudly to Rougaru and to any of his other siblings and herd mares that cared enough to listen, of the adventure he had with Vihar and how as a result of his victory she was here with him today. Of course he knew it would not last forever, nor did he intend to keep the pretty girl against her will, at least not in the long run. For right now, she served a purpose and that purpose was to be a thorn in his father’s side. He found a pretty girl and brought her home all on his own and all without Rougaru’s express permission or guidance.

Raven tipped ears lace back against his crown as Annubis lifted his finely dished head to let father meet his father’s gaze. ’I don't want to go patrolling today. I thought I showed you already that I can do so much more. Let Akela or Loupgaru do it. I know they won't mind.’ he had shrugged his shoulders then and turned his back on his sire as he so often had done in the past. He hoped that despite throwing the chore onto his brother’s shoulders, Rougaru would decide they were better options. After all, his moaning had worked more than once in the past. It should have worked today as well. But it did not. In a rage unlike any Annubis had ever seen directed at his own, Rougaru launched at him in a flurry of upturned dirt and scattered leaves. Before Annubis even knew what happened, Rougaru shuffled his forelegs beneath his son’s back legs and sent the silver buckskin stallion sprawling forward with a loud grunt. ’You will do as I say when I SAY IT!’ the mahogany stallion had roared, his green eyes vivid against the dark contours of his face. For the first time in his life, Annubis could honestly say that he felt afraid. Despite himself he shrank back as he gathered his hooves beneath him. Ears fall backwards in submission and though hardened with anger, his golden yellow eyes drop to fixate on some small patch of black earth at his father’s feet. Rougaru had never lost his temper before, even when Alpha was being particularly annoying or he was goading his brothers to the point of tattling to their mothers. Rougaru had always been the parent to merely chuckle in good humor and shrug his shoulders with mild voiced chidings. Now, now, things are different.

So Annubis took his leave of the large stallion with his wounded pride, hoping against all hope that no one else had witnessed the scolding that he had just received. His bruised ego was enough of a wound to bear without having Vihar or one of his brothers picking at the fresh wound. Something he no doubt could see them doing. So since he could not justify, nor was stupid enough to challenge his father, Annubis took his anger out on whatever object happened to come upon his path.

Ears bury beneath the thick mantle of obsidian mane as the young stallion snorted a hard breath and kicked out at a small rock in his path, sending it skittering down the trail, thumping over ground and upturned roots until it settled abruptly at the base of a palm. ”Idiot.” he murmurs to himself, once more feeling the rising swells of anger beginning to boil beneath his skin. How dare he treat Annubis like that! His own son! How many of his other sons could the wolf say had gone out into the world and proven their worth? Most of them, like Akela and Loupgaru, preferred the languid luxury of being able to call the safety of Paradise home. Annubis had only wanted to show the wolf how strong he was and how cunning he could be. ”But nooooo. He just can’t see it. He just doesn’t want to see it.” he growled again, kicking out at a large pink shell and watching as the shattered shards rain into the underbrush on either side of the path.

’Come here Oleander!’ the voice rings clear and crisp above the subtle voice of ocean waves. Golden eyes glitter as suddenly a malicious smile curves itself across his lips. All the rage, all the anger he felt for Rougaru renewed now as the small lithe stallion charges forward at a headlong gallop. Hind legs gather beneath him as Annubis leaps gracefully through the wide branched palms and elephant ear plants and onto the white sand beach just feet in front of a young colt. Sleek arching neck dips as blunt ivory teeth snap at the thin air, his teeth clacking audibly as he pranced forward, his long dark tail held high like some glorious king’s banner. Only when his gaze reaches the mare does the young stallion stop and replace his hard glare with a cheshire grin. He knew this mare. The girl from his first trip beyond Paradise’s borders. ”Curly ears.” he breathes with a scoffing grin, the tension in his muscles building as he prepares himself. She made him look the fool in the common meadows that day. Now, now she had a child and she was on his turf. Now he would make her HIS fool. ”Looks like you took yourself a wrong turn.” he taunts, slowing his movements in an ever decreasing circle, doing his best to divide her attention between himself and the small boy.

He stops now, tilting his proud head towards the colt with a scoff, ”I see you managed to come down with one of those dreaded little parasites too. Not surprising really considering the company you keep.” he adds, amusement echoing in the throaty chuckle that rumbles from his lungs.