With Draven's help, they were able to feed and care for the injured pack members through the night until the storm finally cleared up the next day. Lou had kept herself busy most of the night in an effort to avoid Alaric, much to his frustration. He wondered if they'd ever get past this awkward acquaintance phase.
"You ok?" Draven questioned, standing at his side as they watched Lou work with a few other pack members to replace a window in one of the newly reclaimed houses.
It was halfway through the day, and Lou hadn't stopped to rest even once. She still looked terrible, but every time Alaric tried to get her to sit a moment, or eat, she shrugged him off and went about her business.
"Not really," Alaric yawned. "That woman is likely going to be the death of me."
"She is a stubborn one," Draven shrugged. "I take it you're worried about her?"
"How can I not be?" Alaric vented. "She hasn't slept a wink, I'm pretty sure she pushed harder than usual during training this morning, and now she's fixing houses like it's going out of style!"
He wanted to add he was concerned she might have picked up a cold while in the rain, but worried who might be listening. For alphas, appearances were critical. Even the slightest perception of weakness from the rest of the pack could lead to no end of trouble.
"I wish I knew what to tell you," Draven sighed. "I doubt she'd listen if I suggested she took a break. I doubt she'd listen to the others either. That's the thing about Lou, she always puts others before herself even at the expense of her comfort or wellbeing. I don't know weather to call it a fault or a virtue."
Alaric wanted to respond, but was interrupted by a group of women that approached them. He was interested to note that they included spell-casters and even a vampire as well. Glancing behind them, it seemed the project had been finished.
"Beta Draven," a she wolf addressed him with a giggle, "Alpha says to tell you we've finished!"
"So I see," Draven replied with an amused smirk. "Did she say anything else?"
"That we're moving to the next site," another woman spoke. "She says that your aid will be required."
"We'll thank you kindly for delivering that message, but don't you think you should have directed this report to the Luna? He's standing right there, and it's not as though he's hard of hearing." Draven nodded towards Alaric. Their heads turned in his direction, and they stared as if they were just seeing him for the first time. Alaric wasn't sure what to make of it.
"Forgive our impertinence!" The vampire maid curtsied with a mortified expression. The spell-casters seemed equally embarrassed by their inadvertent insult. The she-wolves, however, seemed indifferent and even annoyed.
"I'm still new to the pack," Alaric gave a smile. "I haven't had the opportunity to properly introduce myself to everyone, so it's understandable that you wouldn't immediately recognize me."
He was willing to forgive the she-wolves disdain. He was still new, and if they had been subjected to the same treatment Lou had received from male wolves in the past, it was no wonder they were leery of him. That said, as a pack Luna he could not allow them to outright disrespect him. Hopefully, they understood where to draw the line.
"We recognized you just fine," the first she-wolf who had spoken up scoffed. "We just didn't care."
She had a split second of smugness—the split second it took Draven to snap his fingers—before her face hit the ground in a forced bow. As far as Alaric could tell, he seemed to be using a gravity spell. The rest jumped in fear, then backed away. Even the remaining she wolves had the sense to be afraid.
"You will not disrespect me to my face," Draven stated with a terrifying smile. His voice was polite and quite calm, but somehow it made him seem even more menacing.
"But it wasn't you that I was disrespecting!" The she-wolf protested, an involuntary whine escaping her lips. "It was HIM."
"Ah, but when you disrespect him, you disrespect me, my dear." Draven's lips parted as he bared his fangs, though he was still smiling. "I've sworn allegiance to him after all."
Alaric placed a hand on Draven's shoulder and shook his head. He was pleased with the show of support, and realized what Draven was up to. It was time to play his part as the magnanimous superior.
"That's enough," he stated. "I think you've made your point quite clear."
"One can hope," Draven scoffed.
Another snap of his fingers and the she-wolf was freed from his spell. She scrambled to her feet, gasping. Alaric couldn't help but note the betrayed look she shot him as she scurried away.
"I guess she didn't learn much," Draven shook his head. "She didn't even offer a proper farewell."
The remaining women stood looking around each other awkwardly. Alaric smiled kindly at them, hoping to ease the tension.
"Could you deliver my regards to Alpha Lou?" He asked gently. "Also, kindly let her know that I am going to bring her a lunch in about an hour."
"Right away, Luna," the vampire bowed slightly. Around her, the others offered a confusing array of bows and curtsies before all hurrying off. Draven shook his head as they departed.
"This can't go on," He stated.
"It's only been a few days," Alaric replied. "They clearly weren't expecting Lou to take a mate out of the blue."
"No they certainly were not," Draven sighed. "Be that as it may, you have not done anything to warrant the way they are treating you."
"It is what it is," Alaric replied. "That said, you seem quite popular with the ladies. Is there any girl in particular you're sweet on?"
"No," Draven replied curtly. "So what's this about you getting Lou lunch?"
Alaric wanted to call him out on his obvious and clumsy subject change, but was cut short by the ringing of his phone. He frowned as he recognized the song. Roxy was calling.