Rougaru moves through the jungle with purpose, his saucer like hooves leaving deep impressions into the soft dark earth underfoot. Brilliant green eyes gleam in the dappled sunlight that filters from the trees above. The wolf had a plan.

He had not thought about it earlier, and the beast within him growled its disdain at the delayed plan with ivory fangs flashing. He should have thought of it to begin with. But at the least, he had the plan formulated in mind now. Vivenne’s absence had been noted, but Rougaru felt fairly certain of where she could be found. The young girl had taken special interest in Nyimara while his eldest recuperated in Paradise. It had not taken her long after the birth of Cato to announce that she had intentions of returning to Salem. Why in the good green earth his daughter had taken a fascination with the desert island, he doubted that he could ever understand, however she was old enough to make her own decisions and quite frankly, she was too known to accomplish the task he had in mind.

He thought about assigning the task to Vivenne, thought of testing the abilities that Vanya had instilled in their daughter. He had not been granted much time with the girl, and though he hoped that enough of the wolf coursed through her blood to ensure loyalty, there was the small matter of Vanya’s betrayal and how secretive she tried to be about hiding Vivenne away from his reach for so long.

No. The task he had in mind was that befitting a queen, and who better than the queen of silver tongues herself? A malicious smile curves across his ash dusted lips as the wolf breaks free from the shadows of the jungle and glances around the clearing where most of the herd gathered in loose groups to graze on the long, sun-rich grasses of the grove. Bright, multifaceted eyes scan the familiar shapes, until the one he sought comes into view.

Vanya.

Lustily, his gaze roams over the curves of her frame, savoring the womanly grace with which she moved. Like a dancer, she seemed to float over the knee high grass, grazing with the same languid ease that the rest of the herd felt. Life in Paradise was easy living, but despite it, war lingered on the horizon.

”Vanya.” he croaked, his husky tones thick with the hunger that she always drove into his loins. Possessively he moves against her, not stopping until his large frame is flush with her own and the warm pulse of her veins can be felt against his skin. ”My queen…” he purrs, pressing his lips into the curve of her white splashed neck. ”I have a job for you….” he murmurs, parting his lips to let his yellowing teeth scrape lightly over the curve of her cheek. A single brow raises in apprehension as the corner of his lips twitch in amusement. ”If you are interested that is. I was hoping you might like a break from motherhood for a few hours anyway.” he continues, withdrawing his touch now long enough to give his proud head a shake. ”This task is best suited for someone of your…. Talents anyway.” he teases, his green eyes gleaming with playful affection.