Weeks turned into months and each day, the wolf prince watches from a safe distance as Parvati’s belly swells. At first, he imagines that nothing might come of their union of flesh, that the loss of her sweet fragrance meant nothing more than the changing of seasons. However as the time passes and it becomes more and more obvious that once again the Inlet queen carries an unborn child in her womb, Loupgaru feels the tide of his emotions begin to rise.

To say that things between himself and Parvati had always been strained would be an understatement. Why he expected her to cow down to him when first he washed up on her shores is beyond him but nonetheless it did not help matters in his own mind that she had laid her claim on him. Especially when he had been so caught up in the game of cat and mouse he played with the mysterious blue girl. That had been the beginning of the downward spiral.

As always, he keeps a careful watch from a distance, neither wanting Parvati to know he felt the slightest bit of concern for her and her wellbeing nor willing to put any measure of trust in the pea-brained stallion she kept around her. When at last she finally separates herself from the rest of the herd the wolf within him cannot help but to proclaim a yip of relief. It had almost been prepared to mop up her remains when she finally popped. Cautiously, casually, the painted stallion follows, keeping himself at a safe distance so as not to disturb the laboring mare but not quite so far that he would be unable to help her if a lurking threat made itself known. The metallic odor of blood and birthing fills the air, heightening his senses. Tension builds within him until the painted wolf is sure he will not be able to stand it any longer. He is all but about to break his vow of indifference to check on her when the soft bleating of a newborn rises above the cool winds. ’FFFFINALLY!’ the beast remarks to himself with a scoff. He had seen many births during his time in father’s herd including the birth of his own brother. It was a messy process but surely it wasn't as drawn out as some mares made it seem.

He gives his proud head a shake and bends to scratch at an itch on his foreleg. He expected at any moment for the Tinuvel princess to make her grand appearance but it seemed that she had other plans. By the second sunrise, Loupgaru was beginning to wonder what misshapen creature the Inlet mare had given birth to. He loathed the idea of admitting it but still he kept a fervent watch. He needed to be the first to meet this child.

Eventually the rustling of decaying leaves strengthens in sound and from his grazing on the knoll the silver bay stallion twitches an ear in acknowledgement. Movement from the shadows drew his gaze and more anxious than he cared to admit, Lougaru watched as Parvati emerged. At her hip, a spindly little grullo filly pranced, its ears pricked and eyes wide as it gazed upon the world around her. ’A pretty little thing.’ the beast remarks to himself with a flick of his tail. She doesn't look much like him, but well, that was normal wasn't it? Devi didn’t look much like him either but Parvati swears that that child is his and well, he has no experience to know otherwise.

He yawns lazily and meanders closer, making a show of being in no hurry to approach mother and foal. That attempt however changes drastically when the stranger appears. Golden eyes divert towards the flash of movement to his right. Brows narrow as ashen lips peel back in a wordless snarl. The painted stallion does not linger on the borders nor does he show any signs of unease or diplomatic social graces. He merely approaches the mare in a much too relaxed manner. Loupgaru is furious.

Not waiting to investigate further he screams his challenge. Muscles tense as the beast charges forward with a forceful thrust of pent up rage. Yellow gold eyes align the stallion in their focus as he closes the gap between them in just a few ground eating strides. Dark ears lace tightly against his skullcap as the proud stallion thrusts himself between the intruder and child. The display might seem to any bystander that he was asserting his protectiveness over mother AND child but only he and the wolf knew what was the real motive behind his actions. Parvati could take care of herself, the child on the other hand, was his and his blood demanded protection even if he was a piss poor role model. ”BACK!” he growls, his ivory and carmel tail lashing angrily at his heels with an audible snap. ”Back.” he repeats, thrusting a foreleg purposefully towards the stallion in a not-so-veiled threat.