Where others saw a barely established pack, he saw something sturdy enough to withstand even the greatest of forces. There was history there, a long one, that acted as a foundation for the pack; Xan, having originated from the first pack to lay claim to Bearclaw, ensured that this remained true. And so those that wandered into his land unwelcome—and disrespected him by doing so—were not so kindly met; Laurel and Indra both had ventured in without permission some time ago with the former being greeted by hostility, yet, they’d both been allowed to stay. He was not so strict as to attack without warning—not yet, at least, though he was considerably quicker to react since the maiming of Indra.

So when he discovered the female well within the walls of his home, he did not outright attack her, but he did advance forward with his gaze hardened into a glare. “Out,” was the first word to leave his mouth as he approached, ears erect and tail out straight. In that moment, he didn’t see her as a potential recruit, just as a threat to his home and those within it.

There was no reason for him to hear her out, or do anything other than get rid of her. She had wandered into his land as if she belonged there—something so simple yet so problematic—showing blatant disrespect for his authority by doing so. He had every right to get her out of there in whichever way he deemed fit, as far as he was concerned, but something stopped him. Her body language, despite the gleam in her eyes, quelled his aggravation and satisfied his need for respect; it gave her time to speak and plead her case.

“Then speak,” he ordered, more of the distance between stolen in the process. He wanted—needed—to be closer, ready to lash out and correct her should she do anything that displeased him.

She spoke and he listened, taking into account each word said whilst eyeing her. He was skeptical of her being there, despite his decision to let her speak, and this he made known—especially as she explained how she’d looked after her family members. He figured she was just buying herself some time before scurrying off but, once her past was out in the open, her actual skills followed after. Hunters would always be needed for as long as food was a key component of survival, as were warriors; those that could defend the valley were worth keeping around, assuming their loyalty remained unbroken. And though these reasons were far more enticing than the tale about looking after her father and brother, he found himself with a question regarding her role as a caretaker. “What do you mean when you say you took care of them?” he asked. “Did you treat them medically, or just babysit?” Whilst Poet was there as the acting medic, Indra’s attack made it clear that it wouldn’t hurt to have at least two around.

Keeping others in order wasn’t something that really caught his attention, the job being one that he’d assigned to himself. Besides, she was a small, slender girl—against a brute twice her size, he doubted she’d be able to control him. “I don’t let just anyone stay here,” he told her. “If I let you, what will you do when you go out beyond these walls? Are you just going to wander into other packs’ territories, too?” He couldn’t have that happening. Sure, he might be able to smooth things over if she did so at Easthollow, but what about all of the other packs? He didn’t need that risk hanging over him.

She gave him a reason to think—to really think—and actually consider letting her stay. “Do you know how to treat wounds?” he asked. Taking care of someone’s mind wasn’t the same as treating their body; some treatments would heal one but harm the other. He was far more interested in medicines for the body than the mind, of course, nothing having happened thus far that would require the care of the mind. Indra didn’t need her brain fixed, after all, just her body.

Xan wasn’t convinced when she mentioned keeping put. She seemed like the type to go wherever, whenever—based solely on her careless entry into his home. Really, he didn’t know enough to judge her, but that didn’t stop him from doing so. He wanted to make his doubts known but instead held his tongue, deciding to wait and see if he might need her around before insulting her.

So, she could treat wounds—useful. “You can stay,” he decided after a long pause. It would benefit the pack if he kept her around, but he did need some sort of proof of her abilities. Which gave him an idea. “If”—he paused, a challenge in his voice—“you treat one of my pack members. She was attacked recently and has received treatment from another member, but I want you to give her constant care.” Every moment of every day, she would need to be there for her, ready to help her along through the healing process. “Anything she needs, you’ll give it to her,” he clarified. “Got it?” The sooner her wounds healed, the better.

“I’m Alexander,” the albino added. “You can call me Xan.” If not for her having given a name first, he likely would have forgotten to ask and share altogether.

Alexander’s own body relaxed shortly after she had, easing up and letting his tail fall; it remained raised higher than hers but was no longer arched over his back. “Her name’s Indra,” he answered. “Small, red—missing a tail.” Which was something that she’d be treating. Obviously, her tail couldn’t be brought back or replaced, but what was left behind still needed medical attention to keep an infection from setting in. There was no way he’d lose her to that, or anything, especially not so earlier on after meeting her.

“I can introduce you to her, after you get whatever plants you’ll need,” he offered, not knowing that the two had already met. As far as he knew, this was her first time being in the valley, and he had no knowledge of Laurel and Indra’s travels following their acceptance into the valley.

Oh, they already knew one another.

That made his job—or rather, the lack thereof—a lot easier. He’d never been one to handle introductions well, anyways. “She was attacked,” he repeated. “I don’t know who or why, but they ripped her tail off.” Although it was a terrible loss, he was thankful that her attacker hadn’t taken more—like her life. A tail was nothing, as long as she didn’t die.

In truth, Xan didn’t have all of the details. He hadn’t been there when Indra was attacked, and he couldn’t identify her attacker with a single look, either. But he could surround her with medics, give her the chance to heal, and then someday possibly venture out and tear down the man that had wounded her; however long it took, he would be ready.

With nothing more to say, he gave a nod of his head and dismissed the girl, hopefully for her to go off and find her newly appointed ward. He then turned away and headed off towards the entrance, eager to set out on a short trip to work out whatever built-up energy he had remaining from his encounter with the woman.