[hr][hr] [center][color=Plum][h1]Zoé Flores[/h1] [img]https://66.media.tumblr.com/c3d273935ad7559ae17bf5d01c79adf9/tumblr_nw4gbdnC8x1rveho9o1_500.gif[/img] [b]Location:[/b] Sky Lakes Medical Center. [sup][b]Interacting With:[/b] Xerxes Arvanitis ([@YoshiSkittlez]), Quinton Matson, Cassandra Arvanitis, Connor Vos and Cody Treadwell ([@Caits]), Gage Brooks and Aron Brooks ([@BlackPanther]), Sebastian Monroe ([@December]), Miranda Burke ([@Damo021]), Syeste (Vos) Nioré and Kaylee Evans.[/sup][/color][/center] [hr][hr] The hand upon her shoulder was the only thing keeping her in place… stopping her from turning her back on the pups, and from doing something that she knew she would regret later on; though if she did, well it wasn’t going to be on her head that the choice would be made. How dare he… how dare he attempt to explain things he knew nothing about, to try and take the attention away from those more important in the room right now; how dare he undermine her in every sense of the word… How dare he try and speak for an alpha..! The anger was clear in her eyes, the crimson orbs showing a bloodlust like never before seen as she let her gaze fall upon the angel in question; the woman more than ready to cross the room and rip the very wings he held dear from his back, if not throw him clear into the hall without so much as a second thought. However, what use would that be..? It would give the pups no indication that they could trust her… give them no reason to follow after her; and for the others, it would only instil the fear she could feel behind their lingering gazes. So it was simple; if he believed himself able to do a better job… then he could go ahead and do it. [color=seagreen]“The pups need you.”[/color] Before she had a chance to move, she was stopped, the sound of her beta’s voice speaking softly in her ear causing her to hesitate… to second guess her actions as a gentle though still ever threatening growl emanated from somewhere deep within her chest as his words sunk in, and yet once again, he was playing the voice of reason when she seemed willing to allow her anger to consume not only her mind, but also her actions. [color=seagreen]“They need you, and I’ll be there, every step of the way. Don’t throw it away. You’re a good alpha, Zoé.”[/color] He was right… these pups weren’t going to make it far in this world unless there was someone there to help guide them, to show them how survive; and not just against other supernatural’s, but against the humans… especially, those who posed a threat… those who made their living as hunters. [color=seagreen]They need you, and want you.”[/color] They wanted her..? If they did, then it wasn’t made clear, and any chances of her sticking around were dwindling away by the second; though the gentle squeeze upon her shoulder was enough to keep her in place where she stood. He wanted her to stop… to think about what she was going to do before she did it so that she wouldn’t make that mistake of leaving them alone when, in reality, this was the time that they were going to need her the most. But right now she didn’t care… Right now; she was almost completely blinded by her anger. [color=LightCoral]“But… you’re wrong, dad. Zoé can’t claim us… we have to claim her.”[/color] The very moment that the words hit her ears, her anger seemed to pass, her soft lips parting ever so slightly as she turned her head, her bright eyes staring at the young girl as she spoke. Pack mentality was something that, while they might not completely understand, came naturally to all wolves no matter how old or new they might have been- but the fact that she had picked it up so quickly… the fact that she had managed to figure that out on her own, without having to be nudged in the right direction… Shooting a quick glance back towards her beta, Zoé met his gaze, seeming to share a conversation in the silence before her eyes were once more brought back to the girl in front of her; the girl who had, not minutes beforehand, went and challenged her power… her authority, just as her father before her had done. Allowing herself to meet with the girl’s eyes, she watched her move, her bright iris’ following each and every step until the girl seemed to settle in front of her, both of them holding one another’s gaze; each as intense as the others, though her own seemed to hold a hint of worry… of curiosity… [color=LightCoral]“My name is Cassandra Arvantis. And I am a werewolf. And you… are my alpha.”[/color] Her eyes losing their brightness in color, she blinked a couple of times, allowing them to once more take on that comforting darkness that those in the room with her were used to as she let the words spoken sink in- she had been accepted… Cassandra had blatantly accepted her as her alpha without so much as a second guess, and the very thought had her heart swelling with pride as a small though not unnoticeable surge of power flitted through her being. This was why she was here… for them; to help them through the major defining change that had, for all intents and purposes, been forced upon them, and that would change the rest of their lives. Each of these children had just been thrown into something that they knew nothing about; none of them had asked for this… none of them had wanted this- hell, none of them had ever known about any of this; even when there were the few that were held so close to some who shared in this particular life-style. Either way; that was one name. [color=LightCoral]“I don’t know what’s going to happen… I don’t-… I don’t truly know what has happened to us… but we are what we are now… and I am glad to not stand alone. Is-… is there anything else I need to do..?”[/color] [color=Plum]“..Cassandra…”[/color] The tone of her voice… the look in her eyes… she was asking for help; and what’s more, she was asking for [i]her[/i] help. This was what Quinton had been trying to tell her- that no matter how angered she was, they needed her now more than ever… and more than that, they wanted her… How could she dare even think about turning her away..? [color=LimeGreen]“I am Connor Vos. I-… I was bitten, two months ago, in a wolf attack. I woke with no injuries, and since then, I’ve been floating along… eventually coming here. Kaylee…”[/color] Her attention caught by another voice before she could speak any further, Zoé turned her head, her eyes tearing away from Cassandra’s to instead meet with that of the guy who was speaking- he was young… slightly more mature than the other young pups gathered, though still lacking any training or discipline that came with being in a pack; the young girl held close against his body in his arms however… [color=LimeGreen]“Kaylee is my… mate. And… if you’ll have us… You are our alpha.”[/color] Mated… a quick glance around the room told her that they weren’t the only imprinted pair within the group; whether or not that was going to be something that helped or hindered them was yet to be seen. Letting her attention fall back down to the pair, Zoé took a moment to take them in, and while the male of the pair still had much to learn, there was something about the young woman that told her she had that maturity… she had fought beside both of them. Werewolf… weredingo… That was three names. [color=Pink]“Why should I trust you? You are capable of manipulating me easier than the people I live with.”[/color] The very moment those words hit her ears, her heart broke. Gage… Aron… she never wanted to ever manipulate either of them; she couldn’t, but helping him to understand the difference between the authority of an alpha and manipulation wasn’t going to be an easy task. Gage was someone who, out of the two of the boys, was extremely guarded… the fire and fighting spirit in him something she had always admired. It was just going to pose that little bit more of a challenge to her… Both of the boy’s words were lost as she continued to let her dark eyes flick back and forth- she had always held the twins close to her heart, sharing a close bond with the both of them that she didn’t believe herself able to share with others that she had come across in her life. That wasn’t something that she was willing to compromise due to the sudden situation… [color=LightGreen]“My name is Aron Brooks… and-… and I accept you as my alpha.”[/color] Aron… sweet Aron… The meaning behind his words was clear: [i]Please don’t take advantage of my trust[/i]. And how could she even think of doing that..? She loved the boy like her own- loved both of them as if they were her own, and if things went to plan-… That was four names. A soft shuffle caught her ear, causing her to reluctantly tear her gaze away from Aron’s to instead meet with that of the male siren that was slowly (but surely) approaching, his unhealed injuries making it hard. No one could say he didn’t have courage… the fact he had approached the alpha, and while surrounded by the ever-growing pack, especially one that was full of newly bitten pups..? She couldn’t help but admire the young man for his bravery. [color=Green]“I’m not a werewolf. I-… S-Sirens have no place in a pack. I don’t belong here. [i]We[/i] don’t belong here. What do you want us to do?”[/color] Holding his gaze, Zoé gave herself a few moments to take the young man in- he was terrified… that was clear in his features, behind his eyes… even in the way that he spoke; though the fact he refused to let it keep him from standing tall before her very eyes was something that only helped to instil the sense of pride that was swelling within her heart. He wasn’t one of them; he wasn’t a werewolf… but he wasn’t the only one. Even so, how could she hold that against him..? [color=Tan]“Sebastian… you were attacked, the same as us… you’re our friend… I’m not going to abandon my friends just because… we are what we are now.”[/color] Cody… always so sweet, and ever the gentleman. How could she even consider breaking apart the young inprinted couple; it wasn’t something that could be done, and she wouldn’t ever dream of it in the first place. Where Aron went, Cody went; that was their life now, and she wouldn’t have it any other way… That made five names. Hesitating a moment longer, she lifted her arm, her movements slow… purposeful as she reached out towards Sebastian, her touch soft and loving as she cupped her hand around the back of his neck, her body leaning in closer as she pressed her forehead gently against his own, the action both to show them all that she was accepting of the young siren into her pack, and as an attempt to comfort and ease the boy from his terrified state- he was a brave young thing… to stand up to her the way that he had, and for that, he had forever earned her respect. No harm was ever going to befall him, or Syleste while she still had breath in her lungs, and the will to stop it. That was six names. The warmth of another’s hand taking her own was enough to catch her attention, causing her to pull herself back from the young siren before she turned her gaze, allowing it to linger instead upon the familiar figure that had approached her. Miranda Burke had always been an important person within her life; even when she herself, didn’t know it. She was an amazing young woman… one of her best employees… and she had let her down. The very thought had her heart breaking. [color=F7976A]“I won’t pretend to say I understand what is going on, because I don’t. Back in the hallway out there, you told me to trust you… Zoé, I have always trusted you with my heart, you have been so good to me ever since I came to you looking for work.”[/color] At the gentle squeeze of her hand, Zoé once more allowed herself to fall into the comfort that the girl had to offer. How was it that Miranda was able to have such a calming effect on her..? It was a talent that was greatly admired, and right now, one that was also much appreciated. Curling her fingers lightly, she reciprocated the gentle squeeze, doing all that she could to give the young wolf both the comfort and support that she was seeking from her. [color=F7976A]“You have given us a second chance at life, no matter how different it may be… You gave us all another chance. I don’t blame you Zoé, I thank you. I am probably not doing this right, but you are more than just my boss, more than just my friend, you… are my alpha, and I gladly accept that. I am glad not to be alone too.”[/color] And with that, there were seven names. Her eyes closing as she felt Miranda’s lips against her cheek, she sighed inaudibly to herself, her lips parting ever so slightly as she allowed herself to be lost in the moment… to just relax enough to be able to think about even a fraction of what had just happened- her pack had grown, substantially so in what was less than twenty four hours. She had gone from having five members, to instead twelve and the evidence was clear; she could feel it… the strength of the pack had increased, and with it, her own power as an alpha had grown tenfold. Staying where she was just a few moments longer, she eventually pulled herself away, slowly making her way through the small crowd gathered before eventually, she broke free, her feet barely making a sound over the ground as she crossed the room, her gaze falling so that she was able to meet with that of Gage as she crouched down in front of both him and the young girl held so close in his arms- he was cautious… and with all that had transpired so far, she had given him little reason to trust her, though she wasn’t about to just give up on trying… not for him. Hesitating a moment longer, she made a show of reaching out towards them with both of her hands, making sure that both were in his line of sight at all times before finally, she allowed them to come to a rest; one gently caressing the boy’s cheek, while the other lay lightly over the girl’s forearm. The pain the young girl was in… she could feel it, and her heart went out to her. Syleste was always such a sweet and innocent young thing; she had always been different, the young siren never knowing just how different she was, though it was still no reason for her to have to suffer the way that she was. Pulling her hand back from where it was rested against his cheek, Zoé brought it down to meet with her other upon the girl, her brows furrowing slightly in concentration as she let her attention turn down to the arm that she held, the veins within her own arms becoming visible as they turned black, the pain drawn out from the young siren and into the woman instead as she did what she could to help make her just that little bit more comfortable, her dare eyes (now pained) lifting to meet with Gage’s once more, though she spoke to the group as a whole. [color=Plum]“..I will do everything in my power to earn your trust… and you have my word no harm will befall any of you while I still have breath in my lungs, and fight in my body… You are all familia now; and familia comes first… every time…”[/color]