Northstar Vale Cute without the E.

The instant he blew in her face, Towhee jerked awake. Her instincts told her to simultaneously snap her jaws and bound away from whatever danger lurked so close to her face. Fortunately, some part of her brain recognized Jack’s stinky breath, locking her muscles and causing her to sit up very suddenly and then freeze.

Fucking hell, she said weakly, reaching out and putting a paw on Jack’s shoulder like she might need the support, the other one clutching at her chest. You scared the bejeezus out of me…

It wasn’t the sudden wake-up call that had scared her, it was her body’s automatic response. It made her think of Reyes attacking Caracal, an immensely unwelcome thought. She was just glad she wasn’t like her ex, that she’d been able to overrule her instincts and exercise some self-restraint.

Towhee let out a breath and allowed her paw to drop from Jack’s shoulder as she asked playfully, Did you at least bring snacks, rude boy?