The Tangle pray for the wicked on the weekend

Phoenix, for all his aggression in this scenario, had the prudence to be confused at first by her frightened submission. Surely evil wolves didn't do that, but he somehow suspected that this tenderfooted act was just that: an act -- a ploy -- to put him at ease. He bristled, gritting his teeth as his instinct to trust her sunken posturing warred with the things he simply didn't understand. She had called him scared, a word that offended him despite knowing that it was true. He was afraid of this merle sprite, and what he imagined she had done in her young, sweet life. And unfortunately for her, with his fear came unrefined violence.

"Why shouldn't I?" he growled, taking a step forward as if to prove to her (and himself) that he wasn't fearful.