Raphael listened carefully to her words, her heartbeat, and even scent as he kept his hand on her shoulder. To be honest, he wasn't entirely fooled. The reality was that she was keeping something from him, any fool could see that. But her intentions, her emotions, the fact that he could see from her clenched fists that she was just as upset as he was, if not more, told him all needed to know for the moment.
"Alright." Raphael released her shoulder. He could trust her for now. "Thank you, Dr. Lewis, for being honest for once."
She snorted at his response. Raphael's wolf growled in annoyance at the disrespect. But then again, it was almost amazing that he had made it this far without being irritated at the blatant disrespect she displayed. It seemed his wolf respected her, despite everything. He was just as intrigued as Raphael was.
"I expect you to be the same in the future, Alpha Stone." Her honey-blonde hair shimmered in the light as it flew around with the motion of facing him. Deep sapphire eyes bore into him, daring him to try anything otherwise. Her arms crossed across her chest. "So please, let's continue the rest of the conversation and briefing here. I am aware of the desire to have a haven to treat the afflicted at Whitehaven."
So she wanted to move on, despite the fact she was still upset. Well at least, she wasn't going to dwell on the topic for now. Raphael could get the sense though that it was going to come back. Dr. Jess Lewis didn't seem like the type to waste an opportunity.
"Yes, it would make sense to have them close to a supply of the orchid." Raphael's eyes narrowed, not understanding where she was going.
"But what are the plans to reduce a risk of an outbreak?" She flatly asked.
"We had acquired a shipment of level five hazmat suits. Whitehaven members typically include a small portion of the orchid in their diet, so there were some preventative measures in place."
"And what else?" The question dug under his skin somehow. Was she really going to question his plan?
"Are you talking about quarantine areas?"
"I'm talking about everything Alpha Stone." She gritted her teeth, eyes narrowed at him.
"Fine." He growled lowly, annoyed by her insinuation. "We had cleared several buildings on the border of Whitehaven and created a quarantine zone, with hazmat and completely sealed rooms. We have a team of volunteers who would interact mainly with the afflicted. These volunteers understand the risk and are willing to take it. They vary in backgrounds in the medical field. If the strain grows too great, other packs have volunteered doctors and researchers willing to help and do whatever is necessary if needed. Is that sufficient, Dr. Lewis?"
"I hope you don't take this personally, Alpha Stone." Dr. Lewis nodded, understanding the plan. "But that's a god-awful plan."
Raphael resisted the urge to slam his fist down. Furious waves of power rolled off his body, insulted at her words. This was their best plan, albeit not the greatest, but the only one that the werewolf community had to prevent the worst. No other pack was willing nor equipped. The volunteers all understood that they were not going to probably survive the first wave. But they still all wanted to help. His pride didn't stomach the fact that she insulted their hard work and sacrifice to prepare for this.
But his fury didn't even affect her. She didn't react to it at all. She didn't even flinch. The woman in front of him kept her calm. He released a growl in frustration as his eyes pierced her. If being in a room alone with an agitated Alpha did not phase her, what the hell did?
"And why would you say that?"
"As logical as that may be, it's not the right thing to do here." Dr. Lewis replied. "The last thing the world needs is for the suppliers of the treatment to get wiped out. The FLA has found a compound, donated by the Rhodes Foundation." Raphael's eyes narrowed.
The Rhodes Foundation ran an orphanage for hybrid children, owned by Aerin Trellis's mate of all people. It was a decent foundation, even though its benefactors were often outcasted by society. Halflings were rarely welcomed anywhere, even werewolves struggled to welcome their own, mainly because they were dangerous. They struggled to control their abilities, and some unfortunately would be consumed by them. Society most of the time didn't want anything to do with them. So Risa Rhodes established an orphanage, in several locations around the world. But still, the connection to Commander Aerin was there once again. It could have been a coincidence but then again, it could also not have been.
"Why would the Rhodes Foundation care?" Raphael asked, curious as to why that specific foundation.
"Other than the fact that it would affect the kids? Shou is a member of the board. He has access to the foundation's newest compound. No one had officially moved in yet, allowing for it to be easy for the task force to allocate. It's state-of-the-art and can hold up to 1,000 people. Double that if we're willing to bunk together." What she said made sense, but it still got under Raphael's skin. Whitehaven was preferable, mostly because it was his home. But this option allowed for his pack to no longer be at risk of being infected, which was even more preferable.
"That seems to be sufficient." He grunted begrudgingly, pride wounded. "Where is the compound?"
"It's 59 miles to the west of Brachester." Raphael raised a brow. Brachester was a city in the Rocky Mountains. It was home to mainly a large troll population, but it was also home to a variety of other creatures as well.
"Are the residents safe?"
"Safer than if it were a pack of werewolves."
That still didn't satisfy Raphael. "The mayor has made the residents aware and the city council had approved for us to move into the area. Captain Yong last night arranged for a deal with local merchants and other suppliers we may need to follow strict protocols in regards to any needed trades." She waited for him to nod to continue, blue eyes carefully observing that he was following along.
"We are not allowed outside to go directly into the city nor are they allowed into the compound. FLA agents will meet them at a halfway point, sanitize each shipment, then use a portal to take the shipment into a sanitization zone within the compound. From there, the supplies will be sanitized again before bringing them into the appropriate areas." She explained carefully to him, watching her tone as she paused. "Do you find that acceptable, Alpha Stone?"
Dr. Lewis was aware that his wolf was slightly displeased. She didn't want to incur any wrath from Raphael. Dr. Jess Lewis was trained, that was certain. She danced between the lines of social convention, not afraid to disregard social status but also maintain a level of professionalism.
This made him even more curious. Why would a medical doctor and researcher be trained in political negotiation?
"That is acceptable Dr. Lewis. Now, what is the rest of this conversation going to entail?" There was still more to coordinate, for instance, the transportation of the infected, the trade route of the orchid, and she wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to discuss these efforts, not when the Werewolf Community Representative and Alpha of Whitehaven was alone with her.
It had to be the main reason that Captain Yong even sent her into the room with Raphael. Raphael had no doubt. He could tell that she was capable of probably coordinating the whole effort herself. But she still enlisted Captain Yong, why? To keep appearances sake that she was a hot mess?
She simply smirked at his observation, pink lips curled up. "Why don't we take a seat once more, Alpha Stone."
Dr. Jess Lewis pulled out a chair and sat down at the table once again, sapphire eyes glimmering with determination. Raphael smirked as he followed suit.
She was on the same side for the moment, after all. He'd drop his little investigation into her at least until the coordination details were discussed in full. There was no need to play the game right now. But tomorrow, that was another story.
The two were able to fully flesh out the details in a completely respectful manner, much to the surprise of the other. Trusted members of Captain Yong's division would assist in transporting the afflicted to the compound over the next two weeks with the use of portals. They would be set up in the compound's medical center. All task force members would be allowed to stay on campus within the apartment building meant to house teachers, volunteers, and board members. Because of the task force's size, everyone was able to have their own apartment. It seemed like a reasonable plan, through and through. The smaller details would be fleshed out with Captain Yong.
But the main issue they faced would be to present this plan to Madame Hamma. Even Raphael knew that the woman was going to be a thorn in their side.
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