章 223: Vulnerable

ELRETH

Fuck.

FUCK.

She'd never shifted in a conflict with a disformed before—it was something she and Aaryn had discussed many time, the living, breathing fear of being the target of someone's anger when they could swell into teeth and claws and use them against you.

Fuck.

As soon as she realized what she'd done, she shifted back and stepped away from the male. The urge was there to apologize, to try to reassure him. But he had come for her. He had attacked her. The Queen! No matter how much she hated the shift, she could not show weakness. She could not be seen to mitigate his offence.

When she moved back, he scrambled to his feet, trembling from head to toe, but utterly submissive as Aaryn rushed forward, snarling and pinned him against the wall.

"You would attack your Queen? You would lay hands on her?!"

"I submit! I submit!" the male cried. "It was.. I didn't—"