The painted stallion did not know if this was the right thing to do, but change was inevitable. Since the disappearance of Shamwari, and the things that had happened in the Lagoon, Ruger had felt as if he had been stagnant. Trapped in the swirling void that was his existence. Only it was growing deeper, and darker, the longer he remained in self inflicted isolation. If not for Evie and their family, Ruger might have perished long ago to the darkness that was always nipping at his heels.


As Ruger stood upon the edges of the Ridge territory, his body cast in shade but his eyes resting on the sea, he felt his heart quicken when the face of Evie and Calista finally appeared. Even though it hadn’t been too terrible long, Ruger wasn’t used to being without them anymore. Constant worry and fretting clawed it’s way through his chest whenever he didn’t have them around. Given his past, he tried to make excuses that it wasn’t being overly possessive and just worry. Thankfully, Evie didn’t seem to mind, whatever it may be.


As the two stepped onto the sandy beach, he could already see that Calista was eager to go and explore their new home. A smile ghosted his dark lips before he stepped out into the bright sun and began to make his way across the beach towards them with a deep, welcoming nicker.