Yes, it was a sign of dominance, and no, it typically wouldn’t have hurt. But Cancer’s reaction set off a protective flare deep within Ris’ chest, and she didn’t think before lunging between them again and this time snapping her jaws in warning toward Askan.
”D-don’t t-touch him!” she snarled, her lips pulling back to bare white fangs. Her tail was stiff behind her, curling ever-so-slightly upward. ”Leave him al-alone!” Her fur was bristling aggressively, silver eyes narrowed just a bit and locked onto Askan’s face.
One look back at Cancer’s quivering form made her mind up for her.
”We’re l-leaving,” she announced, moving over and smoothing her fur down to crouch in front of Cancer. ”O-okay? We d-don’t have to be here.”