The Heartwood and i pray to god you dont come back here anymore

there was a small part of merrick still wolf; it cowed momentarily beneath the terrible power of his leader. 
while he had trailed their horrid banter to the back of his mind for safekeeping, he himself had remained visceral, reactive. what had vengeance given him aside from a home? that could be had anywhere; he was cunning enough to find entry where it mattered.
in a full, flush moment, merrick's loyalty shifted to caiaphas; he loved astara, but would let no harm come to the old woman if he was able.
hardly understanding, aware that vengeance could fling him aside paperlike, merrick nevertheless grit his teeth at the other's forward surge and rushed to meet it with a terrible snarl.