Warnings: sick reader, mentions of killing, fluff and Alpha out of character
Summary: Reader is sick and Alpha takes care of them.
You are exhausted, every muscle in your body aching as if you’ve just ran a marathon. Your throat hurts, fire in every swallow, and a sheen of sweat has broken out on your forehead, as you carry another bucket of water up from the river. It is a cold, early spring morning, the frost still on the tree trunks, and you have worked hard to break the ice so that you could carry the water up the steep bank, dumping it into the big cauldron on the roaring fire, so that Alpha and Beta and the other lower ranking pack leaders would be able to have warm baths. It is your job to do this, as well as to do the laundry for the camp, and look after the young children when they are at play.Â
Normally, you don’t mind this task, done once a week, taking nearly your entire day when they wished you to do it. Today however, every single step is painful,the bucket is heavy as a rock, and you struggle to carry it into camp, your head swimming like the fish in the river.Â
You curse as the water spills out of the bucket, splashing on a pair of feet.
“What the hell?” To your horror, you hear Alpha’s voice, and your heart stops. Great. Youre going to die. She’s going to kill you. She’s killed for less, just to prove that she can. You dont want to die. You don’t want to die. You’re shaking, the bucket slapping the ground, its remaining water splashing out onto her feet.
“YOU DARE DISRESPECT YOUR ALPHA IN THIS WAY?” Beta grabs you around the throat, lifting you off your feet, not even giving you time to yelp.Â
“Beta. Put her down. NOW.” Alpha snarls, her voice oddly calm as she stares him down, catching you as he tosses you to the ground.Â
“You’re not well.” It is a statement, not a question. You shake your head as you try to get up, surprised as Alpha herself offers you her hand.Â
“Thank you.” You take it willingly, smiling as she leads you to her den, motioning for you to lay down on the soft sleeping pallet. You sigh in relief as you do as she asks, wincing  as you close your eyes and are almost immediately asleep.
“(Y/N)” You wake to the warm drawl in your ear, the smell of soup reaching your nostrils. You sit up, your head pounding and the den seeming to spin around you. “No no. Lay back against the pillows. You’re not movin from here for some time. Just lie back.”
You do as you are told, closing your eyes again as she spoons soup into your mouth, doing your best to eat everything that she gives you.Â
“Thank you. For not killing me.” You whisper, confused when you hear her bewildered laugh.Â
“You think I would kill you for accidentally spilling a bit of water on my feet? (Y/N), that would not happen. You have worked all day long, even when you were ill. How could I kill that kind of loyalty? No (Y/N), you will not die today, in fact, It is time you were on the receiving end of loyalty.”  Â
You sigh softly, as she helps you to lie back down, her hand lingering on your shoulder, her eyes full of compassion, empathy and warmth. She presses a metal cup to your lips, the cold liquid cooling your throat. You return her smile, eyes soft as you look into her own.
“Alpha-” You whisper, your voice filled with respect, and thanks. It hurts, to move, but you don’t need to worry about that. For the first time, since before the Walkers took over the earth, you feel safe, and protected.Â
“Lisa.” Alpha whispers, and your eyes widen in shock. She has just told you what no one else, not even Beta knows. Her name. “When we are alone, you can call me Lisa.” She stands, and exits the warm den, and for a few minutes, she is gone. You wonder briefly, if she is coming back.Â
You dont know how long it has been, when you’re gently awoken, soft hands stroking your cheek. A warm wet rag on your forehead “(Y/N), come on now honey, sit up for me? Thats it. You’ll heal faster if you’re clean.” You are surprised, and just a bit nervous, when she helps you to take off the dirty clothes you wear, setting them outside the den, for someone to take. You are even more surprised when you reach for the rag, but Lisa stops your hand with her own.Â
“No love. Let me.” To your shock, she has a bucket of steaming hot water. Slowly, ever so gently, she begins to clean every bit of dirt and grime off of your skin. She helps you to lay on your stomach, as she washes your back, gentle hands massaging your shoulders and back, trying to soothe some of the aches she must know the fever is causing you. Her hands are far more gentle than you thought she could ever be, and you are even more surprised when she begins to wash your hair, running the soap gently through your hair, massaging your scalp.Â
“You dont have to do this.” You say softly, though in truth, you are glad she is taking care of you. It has been so long since you felt loved by anyone.Â
“I know I dont.” Lisa’s voice is soft as she pulls a night dress over your head, before pulling you close in her arms, holding you tightly as she helps you to relax under the warm blankets. “But I want you to feel better, and this will hopefully help. Until you are back on your feet, I am going to take care of you.” Her voice is soft, her hand stroking your hair as you lay against her, falling asleep to her heartbeat, and the sound of her gentle drawl singing you a long forgotten melody.
Written by @thankyoualexkingston-blog đź’•