Chris leaned back against the chest of the alpha, breath still shaky, the burn in his throat fading to a raw ache. His hands trembled faintly as he dragged them down his face. "Don't bark at staff," he muttered hoarsely, his voice rough but steady. "They didn't know. Hell, even I forgot."
Dax's violet gaze cut to him, sharp and disbelieving. "You forgot you almost die from a seed?"
Chris winced, pressing his tongue to the sore roof of his mouth. "It's not common in Palatine food. Barely ever comes up. Not exactly top of mind." He glanced toward the attendants, pale and stiff at the far end of the cabin. "They were just doing their job. Don't… don't make them pay for something that wasn't their fault."
