Sweet satisfaction rises inside Nagendra as the golden bachelor screams. Anger rising in his opponent sings the promise of a battle to come. Nagendra wants to see a fight. He wants to get into a fight. This night has been the highlight of his life. He never knew what kind of life he wanted to lead until he saw war. Now Nagendra knows exactly what kind of life he wants to live. He wants to fight. He's going to be a warrior. Paint his face and hand him a sword, he can't wait to grow up.

Nagendra is inclined to listen to Hannah and stay in the thicket. His own mother's wrath scares him a lot more than this bachelor stallion, but Bella soon pushes past him to get a better look. Nagendra can't be the only one cowering under cover. He follows his sister out of the thicket. Small ears lace back and his little nostrils wrinkle. He tries to look intimidating despite his tender age and small size. The aggressive look doesn't reach his eyes though. The young colt's eyes alight with the flame of curiosity. There is a yearning there too. He looks at Cullen moving with all the grace of a dancer, hungry for something entirely different than a pound of his flesh.

Bella boldly questions Cullen, as Cullen remarks upon their parentage. Nagendra doesn't say anything, but the wheels inside are turning. Nagendra never felt like he fit in here. The forest his his home, sure, but he's always wanted more than the family life. Hannah and Tarek are painfully boring. And Cullen's not wrong. Bella's coat blooms with gray, a color not shared with either of their parents.

Tarek can't be their father.

But what does that mean for them? How will this affect Nagendra's choices moving forward? For now, it drives his growing curiosity. More questions come to mind, and when this night is over, Nagendra will use the quiet of the forest to figure out what all of this means for him and Bella.

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Tarek loses sight of Cullen's cream-colored tail in the darkness. Once Dances made off with the newborn, Tarek knew where Cullen might go next to find a recruit to steal.

His sons are in danger.

Tarek plunges into the darkened wood, following the sounds of Hannah's angry cries. Just as he thought, Cullen is Targeting his children. Red flashes before his eyes, and a fresh rage consumes the roan stallion. With his ears pinned and teeth barred, Tarek charges into the fray.

Hannah faces off with Cullen, snapping at his neck, and Yngvar strikes out at Cullen's opposite side. The twins and Black Out are three spectators lingering behind Ynvar, each looking on with eager faces, too young to help but desperately wanting the chance. Tarek aims a bite for Cullen's back and at the same time, rocks back onto his haunch. He jerks both knees up, hoping to knee Cullen in the gut.