<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ff99">Val ducked his head at Siv's gratitude.  "Others that could have walked away aren't worthy of being called alphas or officers of the law."  It was a quiet comment, but a strong one.  "I did what anyone should have.  I'm sorry no one else had acted before."<br/>
<br/>
He glanced up to see Siv wringing his hand.  "Please relax -- I'm not going to hurt you.  I don't want you to be afraid of me."  Not that he really expected his words to have much effect -- he was resigned to the omega being uncomfortable in his presence for the foreseeable future.  It was the nature of things, Val knew.  He rose from his seat, trying to keep his physical presence as unassuming as possible.  "Alright -- let's... let's just go see Doctor Witherspoon, get you checked out."</span></span>