The snarl shattered the fragile stillness between them, she barely had time to register the movement before he was on her. Every instinct screamed for her to fight the desire to survive surging to the surface as his weight closed the distance and his fangs settled against her throat. Her body went rigid, muscles coiled to strike back if she had to. But...there was nothing. His teeth never closed.

She felt the heat of his breath against her neck the faint tremor running through his jaw, the hesitation he couldn't hide. He wasn't even trying to hurt her, he was trying to make her leave.

When he finally pulled away urging her to go Oniria wouldn't move an inch, wouldn't entertain the thought of retreat. Instead, she stared at him with an expression that shifted from hurt into something far more familiar. No The word came quietly, but there was steel beneath it.

No, I'm done listening to that,

She took another deliberate step toward him, refusing the distance he'd tried so desperately to create. Her tail lashed behind her, ears pinning flat against her skull as anger finally found its way through the grief tightening her chest. You think I don't know what you're doing? You think if you bare your teeth, snarl loud enough and convince yourself you're some kind of monster, I'll turn around and make it easy for you? a bitter laugh escaped her devoid of humor.

Her jaw tightened, You don't get to decide for me that I'm better off without you, no one gets to decide for me — not anymore.

—