A hardened heart still beats

She watched as his brows pulled down in a frown. It didn't take long for his lips to curl up in a grin. Oh come on baby, stay here awhile. Eyes narrowed as something inside her shifted. Before the fire that ripped her family from her, she would have sent this brute running for hills by now. Lips curled back in the beginnings of a snarl. "Listen here, baby, I have to go." Venom dripped from her words, chin tilted down, guarding her throat. Anger bubbled up inside her, she would not fall victim to this jackass. Paws shifted her back a step and to the left, two toned eyes glared up at him. She had no doubts that he would mirror her every step. She was oblivious to the frustration pent up in him, just waiting to be taken out on some poor unsuspecting female. She refused to let it be her. Claws flexed against the soft earth. Adrenaline started to kick in, making her heart race, her pulse thunder in her ears.

How long had it been since she was in a fight? Far to long. She hadn't been forced to defend herself living in a pack. She was a healer, her skills didn't require her to practice fighting. It was the reason she was placed as a healer, she wasn't a fighter. But she'd be damned if she was just going to roll over for this brute. Her heart felt like it was going to pound right out of her chest. She shouldn't have lingered out for so long. She should have just returned to Valhalla, safe and sound. Audits pinned against her skull, tail flagged out behind her. Muscles tensed. Fight or flight. She could outrun him, no doubt, but she had to get by him first.

"speech" thought