Ravensblood Forest parley

meredith whipped around, her movements sharp and immediate, like a coiled spring snapping to life. her lips peeled back, teeth bared in a sharp, silent snarl as her body lowered, ready to lunge if need be.

the rabbit's absence barely registered as her pale eyes locked onto the stranger. her ears pinned back, the fur along her spine bristling. the apology, the wag of his tail—it did nothing to soothe the tension rippling through her.

who the hell are you? she hissed, her voice a low growl, cutting through the space between them. her posture stayed taut, a warning clear in every line of her frame. you got a death wish, sneakin’ up on me like that?