The Book of Eli

He was surprised when Proserpina began to speak. They'd never been particularly close - not that they didn't get along, or anything like that. They were both just very private individuals in general, both quiet, and she was older than he was besides that. So he wasn't expecting her to confide in him, though he obligingly turned his full attention to her confession. When she finished he tilted his head, gaze going distant as he clearly mulled over her words. Finally he spoke, his voice quiet and slow as he thought out loud. "Being a mentor isn't simply about teaching skills," he said. "Strictly speaking, a mentor doesn't even need to share a skill set with their apprentice - they could learn from the pack as a whole, in group training sessions, and simply through experience. A mentor is... different than a simple teacher. They... we... guide and support our trainee on a deeper level than that. It is a bond more like... family. So I can understand your concerns. I share the same concerns about myself, both as a mentor, and as alpha." He met her gaze calmly, his red eyes dark with memories. "Knowing what I know now, I suspect that Father wasn't always as confident in his path as we as children believed. He had worries just as we do. He made mistakes. He moved on from them, and he did the best that he could. He gave us the benefit of those mistakes and his experiences. That's all anyone can do, as a mentor. The first step is always the hardest, worrying about if you will fail or fall. But once you start moving, it is easier to stay to the path." He gave her a soft, rare smile. "I have faith in you, Proserpina," he told her gently. "Like Father did for us, I know that you will give your best to Thalia. It's never too late to take that first step."