The look of surprise and fear in Parvati’s eyes should have hurt. The way her skin flinched at his angry words or the ring of white that rimmed her eyes should have made him feel the slightest bit of guilt for the force with which his anger resounded… but it doesn't. For the first time in as long as he can remember, the painted wolf feels nothing at all.

She steps backwards, whether in fear for herself or for the unborn child in her belly he cannot fully be sure. Golden eyes glare hard into her own for a single moment longer before he too begins to fear that the wolf might slip its leash. As much as he despised her in this moment, he had not the heart to harm an unborn child whether it was his own or not.

Stiffly, he turns, seeking solace from the tall conifers that bordered the pebbled beach. At least beneath the pine and cedar trees, he could free himself to roam and draw away from the lies that had been dumped on his shoulders. ’Rinnoch is yours!’ she screams the words at his retreating form. Despite himself, his prowling steps falter. Mahogany ears remain firmly attached to the curve of his crown as for the briefest of moments, he jerks back to shoot her a vicious glare. ”Liar.” the growl in his throat is deep and guttural. Feral. Ash dusted lips curl into a sneer as he spins back around and stalks off into the woods. He needed time. Time and solitude to shuffle through the depths of what he knew and what he is left without. Was Rinnoch really his? She had told him Yasmina was his and now suddenly damn blackie is her father. Why should Rinnoch be any different?

He snorts, blasting a hot breath into the cool morning air. He tosses his head, shoving aside the questions that plagued him. Heels dig beneath him as he quickens his gait, needing suddenly to get as far away from Parvati as possible in this moment.