~ ELRETH ~
Elreth stared the wolf down, teeth bared and breath tearing through a throat narrowed by his grip. If she died, she would die making certain he knew she had not been cowed.
But to her disbelief, the moment came. The wolf—with a snarl, and movements as sharp and fast as a whip—shoved her away from the bars, and stole the soldier's spear.
Elreth sucked in a deep, necessary breath, her entire body trembling so hard that her knees threatened to give out. But she couldn't give in to that chittering terror again. As Aaryn rushed to her side, his scent painted in fear and rage, she put a hand up to stop him taking hold of her. Because if he touched her, she would crumble. She knew it.
She could not crumble.