Great Bear Wilderness as the crow flies

You wanted to hurt me. She studied his expression and stepped back, suddenly overcome with trembles. Her legs buckled; settled sloppily onto her hindquarters, Ying lowered herself into submission.

Everything, all of this, had been her fault. She shouldn't have returned to Moonspear while awaiting her heat. Had Ying remained on the island, she wouldn't have bonded with Arcturus, and he wouldn't have felt an obligation to her fertility. Ying had implied that his advancements were acceptable and had done the same for Revui through Hydra's engagement. This was her fault, because she hadn't been smart, but had allowed her ego to convince her that she was worth something more than a womb, waiting to be filled.

She lifted her head and looked at him, forlorn gaze lingering between blood-stained fur and reddened snow. You scared me, she whispered, I'm sorry.