The painted wolf is not left alone for long. He was being watched. Dark-tipped ears flick back and then forward again as names and images flash through his mind. Parvati? No, the mare was far too brash to stand idly by and watch him from the shadows. Nico? Well, the young stallion’s demeanor was a mystery to him but he would hope that the shared brotherhood of training would keep the tri-colored stallion from lurking behind the cover of trees. Besides, what exactly was it about him that would cause fear? ’Your sharp tongue and even sharper bite.’ the wolf’s voice murmured. True. He was not the most outgoing of creatures and the abundance of scars littering his hide did cause most horses to eye his approach with wary apprehension. Maybe it was one of the Tinuvel princess’s lovers? The thought caused the corners of his lips to twitch upwards in amusement. It had been some time now since he felt the satisfaction of a good battle. It might be fun to mar their pretty little coats.

Golden eyes narrow as the russet beast slides free of the shadows. Instead of veering away from him as the others tended to do, the red beast continued towards him with purposeful steps.

DANGER. The word howled in his mind. Muscles tense as the wolf turns to face the oncoming threat. His own tattered ears disappear beneath the thick mantle of his cream and white mane. Vaguely he is aware of Parvati’s bugle of challenge. Somewhere in his peripheral, he senses her fast approach. In another world, he might have risked a glance in her direction, but that is not today. Blood pounds against his ears as whiskered nostrils flutter, exhaling a sharp snort in warning. Ash-dusted lips peel back to reveal his own yellowing teeth as saucer-like hooves thrust his muscular body forward, straight at the snaking stallion. He would learn today that Loupgaru was not some helpless mare to be cowed into submission.

Muscles coil beneath his thick neck as the wolf snakes his own head forward, aiming for the tender flesh and bones of the taller stallion’s elbow. Were the beast to lunge forward, perhaps he might even manage to rake across ribs. Being smaller did have its perks from time to time and this was one of them. Golden eyes glitter as a feral rumble resonates deep within the concave of his breast. Alabaster tail snaps audibly against his hip as Loupgaru slams his hind hooves into the firm ground to halt his forward progress with a spray of rich, black dirt. Proudly he lifts his broad head to glare at the intruder with renewed hatred. ”LEAVE!” he snarls, thrusting a foreleg in the stranger’s direction. ”Before you learn why I am the son of a wolf.” The Cheshire grin on his lips now is sincere. Sadistic in its upward turn. Let him dare to challenge them. Parvati would not fail this day.