[O] Sun and rest, interrupted

Alek watched Zephyr for a few long moments before his gaze flickered to Zeke.

Out of everyone at the table, Zeke was likely the only other one to understand the significance of Zephyr's actions. Zeke was also from a background of Lycan Slavery and Lycan Slaves tended to keep traditions of old.

And as the pack's Third, Alek appreciated Zeke's opinions.

Alek arched his brow at the Romanian, silently asking him what he thought about keeping Zephyr in the pack.

Zeke looked over at Alek then followed the man's gaze to Zephyr, his mouth gaping slightly in surprise, he had thought an old wolf like that would strive to form his own pack, perhaps try to take control of those on the mainland, as a wolf that was the logical thing to do.

Zeke looked down at his meal, pushing his food around on the plate, his long hair masking the fact that his lips were moving in a near silent mutter than only the two oldest wolves would be able to hear.

"Aodh is Beta, having someone stronger than him lower in his ranks who wont submit to him is going to make things unstable. Personally I am all for the idea, but having your beta in a power struggle will cause conflicts."

He knew what had to happen for all to be well, he had seen it before, Zephyr would have to submit, show Aodh that he was swearing fealty to the pack.

Alek nodded thoughtfully.

There was only three ways for this to go.

One: Zephyr refused to submit and left the pack completely.

Two: Zephyr refused to submit and engaged in a power struggle over the role of Alpha with Aodh.

Three: Zephyr submitted entirely and lived as an ordinary pack member, submitting to not only his rule, but Aodh's and Zeke's as well.

His silver gaze caught Zephyr's, waiting to see whether he'd drop his gaze or not.

Zephyr's jaw clenched as Aleksandr caught his gaze, he stared back at him.

It was unnatural for him to submit to a boy he once called pup, more so for him to consider submitting to that man's son.

In the natural order of things he should challenge Alek for dominance and take his rightful place as Alpha.

His wolf protested the thought of being anything less in this place, he was the most able of all, in the animal kingdom he was the best choice to protect the pack.

For a moment it wasn't Zephyr that stared back at Aleksandr, it was his wolf, demanding to be acknowledged as superior.

With a great degree of difficulty Zephyr reeled the wolf in and forced himself to lower his gaze, not only away from Alek's eyes but to the floor completely.

A smile curled Alek's lips when Zephyr's gaze lowered.

He reached out to clip the Wolf's shoulder affectionately before returning to eating.

"Welcome to the pack, brother."

Zephyr smiled softly as he lifted his head and looked at his food.

Zeke and Lycus noticed easily enough that the man's breathing was a lighted harder.

Clearly that hadn't been easy for him. Zeke still had his doubts when it came to Aodh, he doubted his uncle would be accepting until he made a formal submission to him as well.

"Thank you."

Zephyr replied as he looked up at Alek before he started to eat again, food was one of the fee things that quelled the beast.

Alek looked up as if there was nothing for Zeph to thank him for.

More than anything Alek wanted Zephyr close to him. He wanted the man close and he was beyond pleased that Zephyr had chosen to submit to him and join his pack.

Darragh licked his lips as gravy dripped down his chin and soaked into the shirt he was wearing.

Finally seeing Aleksandr again made him realize how much he had missed the man, he refused to lose him again even if it costed him his pride as a wolf.

If anything submitting would be good for him, his wolf was in no state to lead and his own personal attitude wasn't one of a man who could care for and entire pack.

He wanted to submit, but that didn't make it any easier.

Chester gave a soft tut as he picked up a napkin and wiped the gravy off of Darragh's face before he dirtied his shirt more.

"Messy pup."

Darragh grinned cheekily and stuck his tongue out at the Hybrid.

He spooned some more skirts and gravy into his mouth and immediately his chin was bathed in gravy.

Darragh was not a clean eater.

He raised a hand to wipe his chin with the sleeve of his shirt.

Chester laughed at the boy as he made more mess.

"You get more gravy on your shirt than inside your mouth."

He muttered, shaking his head and handing the boy a napkin.

"Wipe your face with this instead."

As a well trained slave it was in his nature to be quite tidy.

Darragh rolled his eyes in a perfect imitation of his father as Chester scolded him.

It sounded so much like something that Aeker would say that it was almost unbearable. Darragh didn't like being scolded.

"Mommy's gonna clean it anyway."

If mommy was gonna clean it, wasn't it expected that it was going to get dirty? Who cared if he got a bit of gravy on his shirt?