Otter Creek Override by fear

(I know you on PPC Minnow but feel free to jump in!)

Minnow listened just as Rowan was arriving. As Rowan began gently to examine her, Taikon felt strangely protective over the woman. He knew very well that she was in a state of vulnerability, and though he owed Rowan a lot, he did not know the boy leader well enough to not feel some anxiety about the whole thing.
But it seemed clear that his intentions were good, despite the tantalizing scent that emanated from her fertile body. Taikon blinked calmly as Rowan turned and thanked him. He said nothing in response; he simply nodded very slightly. There was no need to thank him, he thought. He had not gone out of his way to help her. She had appeared at their doorstep, and he had pulled her in rather than leaving her in the dirt to die alone. Such a thing was not something deserving of praise or appreciation — it almost made him angry. People like Cordelia had seen the worst of wolfkind. He hated that he appeared "good" only because he was not the worst of the offendors.
Just then, the woman stirred, yawning long and wide as she woke again from her strange slumber. She even stood, and Taikon stepped forward to try to assist her as she did so. The movement ended up awkward as he tried to prop her up when she did not need it, and he backed away with a weird face, hoping she was too dazed to notice. The Ivory Rose welcome any in need — it's no trouble, he said immediately, and stood back as he also bowed to her, deep and low.
It was a grand, cordial greeting that had long been his signature, but out of place in the Wilds. As he raised back up slowly from the formal gesture, he breathed slowly and realized he had interrupted before Rowan could speak. He bit his lip and backed away a step. Boy leader or not, it was Rowan, not he, who would decide if she would stay or leave.