Bearclaw Valley you'll have to watch me struggle from several rooms away

her eyes remained closed.  she had not moved out of deference but instead out of the shame and confusion and oh god, that fear! that rolled off her in palpable waves.  she had been sitting here, outside of the borders, minding her own business when this wretch came and accosted her for — what?  existing?

reigi had offered no growls, had not bared to the russet woman the dangerous ivories that lay beneath her inkstained lips.  her hackles had not bristled in turn, even the crane of her head had been painstakingly slow. xan's teeth had simply frightened her; she cowed for him in light of her most recent encounter with another wolf and shivered desperately.

perhaps this was because of the subtle swelling in her teats and her abdomen, the smell of new life that rolled off of her urine — reigi would have done the same to any female, if she were in indra's position.  but she felt like this was more personal, and after everything she had been through she simply did not have the energy to deal with it anymore.

and it seemed as if maybe he understood.  for the second time since her return he had surprised her.  she could not tell what he was saying but she could tell that he was talking about her — his position was guarding her, his tone was strained.  his frustration was apparent to her, and sent another fear-racked shiver through her body.