Approach the Zjeena of a year ago, ask her how her life would look now, and she would predict a much different scenario. After what she once felt for Liland, she never would have thought her feelings could take such a sharp turn in the opposite direction. But here she is, in Paradise, of her own volition. She steadies herself against the base of a tree and her tears muddy the earth with the sea water dripping from her coat. Every thought of Liland turns her stomach and brings a fresh wave of grief.
She has never felt so alone. She has never been so cold.
But all at once, there is warmth. She can hardly see him through vision blurred by tears, but his touch brings a familiar jolt of electricity, and his musky scent fills her nostrils. He draws her near, cradling her small form against his own.
Rougaru.
Zjeena melts into the comfort of his embrace. She buries her face in the space behind his elbow. She finds solace in the beating of his heart, and in the steady rush of air moving in and out of his lungs. A quiet moment in Rougaru's embrace is just what Zjeena needs to slow the tears.
Her sobs quiet, but she still trembles, and her body remains pressed firmly against him. Rougaru is her salvation. He is the one thing that keeps her head afloat when she might otherwise drown in her despair. He is her rock. He is her home. She loves him now more than she ever loved Liland.
"I'm going to kill him." She whispers into Rougaru's side. "I want him dead."
Zjeena too sees Liland's blood pooling at her feet. Zjeena wants what the wolf wants. She vowed never to harm the herd that once was her family, but she made no promises to spare Liland himself.