face the consequences

He felt her paw against his cheek, brushing away the pain filled tear with gentle care. Rhyme opened his eyes to see her there in front of him. This vulnerability was part of the reason he was in this mess to begin with, but he couldn't bring himself to regret the closeness they shared. What else could be done to him now if he gave in to his weakness? Rhyme steadied his gaze as he lost himself in her eyes.

Shaye's words were strong and pointed, he couldn't argue that he was indeed reduced to a errant pup. However, that wasn't the path ultimately meant for him. He was just as much Abaven's leader as Shaye was. Rhyme was his own man, not just Valentine's son. He blinked away his pained tears and grasped tighter to the strength she dredged up from deep within him. He had conquered bears and crocodiles, what was losing a last name compared to that? He experienced great loss in his life, and he was about to give up everything because of a boyhood dream.

"I am proud of you."

Shaye broke through to him then and a heavy sigh filtered through his lips. He had to pick himself up by his bootstraps and be the strong pillar that his pack and his children needed. Rhyme couldn't afford to wallow in his self pity, there was too much at stake for that. He lifted himself from the earth and shook off the funk that clung to him. He couldn't forget the pain that lingered, but he could be stronger.

Rhyme looked back at Shaye, unable to mistake the hope, strength, and love she poured out for him daily. Something he took for granted. "Shaye," he whispered her name as he closed the distance between them. "Forgive my weakness." he asked as he aimed to push his muzzle into the fur at her neck. If nothing else he had to push himself for her and for his children. They were the ones that mattered.