Rougaru walked with silent steps down the twisting path that marked the border between Paradise and the Ridge. As of late, he found himself spending more time along this border, pausing here and there to taste the wind and judge just how often it was that Faolain or Rivaini found themselves marking the same border. He knew from experience that the black mare did not trust easily, and Rivaini’s patience of him was even shorter still. No doubt that even with seconds in the Ridge herd, they would not trust any other to patrol in their stead. Hell, Rougaru found it hard to believe that Faolain would even allow Rivaini to patrol this border anymore.

Like them, Rougaru found himself dividing up the patrols with his sons so that it was he who patrolled the Ridge border more often than not. It was a waste of energy no doubt, for he found himself doubting that Faolain would be foolish enough to try another raid on Paradise so soon after the last failed attempt, but still, it made the wolf feel better, especially while he contemplated the choices that lay ahead of him.

He had hoped that the birth of Nyimara’s newest child might somehow soothe the anger that burned within them all and yet even he, a male, did not miss the sad, longing expression that ghosted across her dark eyes when she gazed down at the chestnut overo colt. Cato, she called him and Rougaru found himself watching over him with all the protectiveness of a new father and gladly accepting her every offer to allow him to babysit. Cato was a rambunctious child, wide eyed and always with a laugh and smile on his lips. He happily tottered in Rougaru’s wake as they patrolled the jungles of Paradise and Rougaru took equal delight in teaching the boy about the dangers and benefits of living in such a nutrient rich environment. He did not know what plans Nyimara had made for herself, but he felt certain that she would not remain in his shadows forever. The taste of power could be sweet on the tongue and once Bjorn had given her that taste, even he saw the ferociousness of the beast that lurked beneath her. And he welcomed it. She might be but one mare, but she had grown into a powerful mare; a mare with plenty of enemies all her own. Apparently that was a trait that the wolf seemed to pass down. A mischievous grin slid across his whiskered lips as he paused now to glance back down the pathway he had come. Cato would be rising soon and no doubt eager to join his grandsire in patrol. Rougaru, though, felt like the boy spent enough time on the same shadowed path and instead hoped to take him down to the beach for a romp in the sands. For now, that meant finishing his patrol here. With a determined snort he takes a step towards a large palm and rubs his thickly muscled neck down the side of the rough bark. The prickle of wood against his skin was refreshing and the sharp odor it left in the air invigorating. Multifaceted eyes scan the shadows beyond, looking as far into the Ridge territory as his keen eyes would allow him to see. So far, Faolain had kept her herd away from Paradise, even Hades had been kept from visiting the border and the thought made the wolf snarl in displeasure. It was time for action.