face the consequences

Shaye's voice was soft a sweet as she answered him, though no amount of sugar speaking would remove the wound that scarred him. He swallowed hard as she told him who she saw, and who she knew him to be. If he could trust anyone it was Shaye, but she didn't see through the facade. He wasn't any better today than the day he'd escaped the slavers. He was no better than the man who followed his commands blindly, and was only useful in being used. Rhyme couldn't create anything on his own. He was a leech.

His alpha partner continued to try and convince him otherwise despite not being able to hear his self defeating thoughts. She tried valiantly to build him back up, but he only wanted to topple. She moved closer and he opened his eyes weakly, surprised at the fire in her gaze. Wouldn't it have been better for her to banish him? To see the weak link he was and to be rid of him?

Though he couldn't bring himself to believe her speach she did reintroduce hope. He could forge his own legacy, one separate from Valentine's closely guarded title. He managed to keep her gaze, the potential rising in his chest and the storm clouds brushed away with her strength.

Rhyme remained silent as his eyes slipped from her face to the white of his paws. A few moments ago he wouldn't have had the strength to go on, but Shaye pushed him. Forced him to move and keep going. To remain still meant death. "My whole life." He started, feeling tears sting his eyes. "I wanted him to be proud of me." Again he was that tiny timid pup between Valentine's huge paws. He knew he would never get the satisfaction of those words. "Is anything I've done worth feeling pride about?" He questioned himself more than Shaye. His confidence was broken, his pride crushed. Rhyme felt worthless.