In truth, Rougaru let Titania’s return to the islands slip his mind, especially as of late. The news that Nyimara brought with her of the death of his grandson and Faolain’s pointed raid on Chelle had weighed heavily on the wolf’s mind as of late. Likewise, the risk that was beginning to pile beyond his borders is enough that he often finds himself wandering down the numerous trails bordering Paradise and the Ridge. Though he knew that threat could come from any direction, there was something about the finality in the dark mare’s eyes when she met his gaze that day on the beach that told him he must be cautious. Her attack was a battle cry of war and with her came powerful allies. Solomon alone was a powerful force that Rougaru did not look forward to facing but together with Faolain? Not to mention their other alliances. It was a daunting task to be sure. What had been done against his family was unspeakable, but at the same time, he was not ready to charge ahead without concerning himself for those that relied on him for safety. Monster and Vanya, he felt sure could handle themselves regardless of the dangers that stood before them. Rae was another creature altogether. The pain that she had suffered before he found her still haunted her nightmares from time to time and regardless how many times he cooed into her ear that he would never allow harm to come to her again, he was not sure that facing these odds, the wolf could keep that promise. He wanted to. He was determined to, and yet as sure as the golden eyed creature was, even his eyes glimmered with doubt.

Rougaru found himself wandering through the dense jungle, his large hooves leaving deep impressions in the rich, moist earth. Rough bark rakes over his broad back as the wolf ducks beneath the low hanging branches of a large Kapok tree. For a moment he stops here, allowing himself a moment to reflect on the position he found himself in and preparing himself and the beast for what might lie ahead. Nyimara screamed for war, his herd too screamed for revenge for the pain she felt. Though there were very few things that Vanya and Monster agreed on, in this moment, both mothers felt the loss his daughter found and they shared her hurt on a much deeper level than he could ever hope to understand. To spend hours in torment, birthing a child into this world, to spend years nurturing and teaching and loving that child, to have it stripped away at the hands of another? Yes, he might see the disrespect Nyimara’s news brought, but he could never fully understand the pain of a mother’s loss.

A heavy sigh escapes his nostrils as the chocolate stallion leans against the large tree’s trunk, relishing in the scrape of its bark against his taunt and tired muscles. He had been on edge more and more as of late. Long hours spent tracing and retracing pathways along the borders of Paradise in search of intruders was beginning to take its toll on him both mentally and physically. He was exhausted but he did not dare risk sleep for more than an hour or two for fear that their enemies might take advantage of his young sons patrolling the borders. Though Akela and Annubis were nearly 6 years of age now, he still considered them young and inexperienced, especially faced with the wiles that Faolain or Solomon were likely to use.

’Sweetheart’ the word drifts to him over the chatter of parrots and howling monkeys. Confusion furrows his brow. Vanya? Vanya? Over and over her name played in his mind as he and the wolf both played back the sound of her voice just to be sure. Sweetheart was not exactly a word in her vocabulary. Not one that she used with such gentle tones. Now sarcasm? Yeah that he could have understood. There were many times that she used that word dripping with venom and hatred. Sweetness? Hell must have frozen over or something was terribly wrong.

Dark ears perk forward amid the cream and caramel colored tresses of his tattered mane as the stallion brought himself to attention. Muscles tense beneath his coffee colored skin as the dragga takes a single step forward to allow his hearing to be unhampered by the closeness of the leaves and the encircling camouflage the Kapok tree offered him. He does not try to call out to her, instead he listens and allows the wolf to be the creature of the shadows that he was. Silently he slips from beneath the hidden veil of branches, stepping only when the sound of rustling leaves told him of Vanya’s nearness. Despite her time in Paradise, the beautiful painted roan mare still held an exotic scent about her that kept her apart. It was easy for the beast to pinpoint her location and even easier for him to keep tabs on her when the need arose. Since her crowning, the exotic ballerina had worked hard to ensure the title remained hers. She had become proactive with the rest of the herd and her input as a diplomat was a welcome refresher to the usual more battle active mindset that he maintained. Zjeena had been his diplomat and a worthy one. In time, he hoped that Monster would see this as well in time but it seemed like the competition between them was still burning strong.

A flicker of movement in his peripheral catches his attention now and the beast finds himself at attention. Paper thin nostrils flare as the stallion inhales the humid zephyrs with renewed interest. Despite himself, the old stone heart within his breast begins to beat anew, the blood boiling within his veins.
Titania.

Her scent, he knew anywhere. No matter how she tried to mask it, no matter who held sway over her, Titania would always be as distinguishable as Vanya and Monster and Zjeena. Renewed vigor brightens his multifaceted eyes as the stallion leans his muscular neck forward through the brush and inhales a deep breath. Hunger growls viciously from the wolf within as the golden eyed creature perked to life, eager to revisit the last encounter with the starlight woman that had resulted in spilled blood and sexual tension. The wolf had relished in it and Rougaru had to admit that he had quite enjoyed himself and vied for the next encounter with her. How funny the fates could be, delivering her to his doorstep.

A cheshire grin slides across his whiskered lips as the muscular stallion waits like a silent jungle cat in the shadows until the two mares pass him by. He is careful about his placement, careful about exactly when it benefitted him the most before he wanted to make his presence known. Only when Vanya leads Titania past him and deeper down the winding path into Paradise does he make his appearance with a rough chuckle that rumbles from his throat in much the same manner as a growl from the wolf. Emerald green eyes glitter in the dappled sunlight that filtered from the trees above as he halts in the path worn down by constant patrols. ”Vanya… my sweet queen…. What treat have you brought to me today?” he asks, lifting his broad head proudly. Hungrily his gaze sweeps over Titania, hungrily his tongue rakes across his lips in a slow, pointed motion as he takes a single step forward, closing the gap of space between them. ”Titania…” he purrs, his thick baritones graveled and thick, ”Refamiliarizing yourself with Paradise’s newest queen are you?” he asks, his thick cream and caramel colored tail flicking in slow, calculated movement of a hunting predator. ”My queen has done well for herself…. Very well indeed.” he murmurs, offering the pretty painted roan an approving grin. Well indeed.