Together, We Grow Stronger

They would come, though Charlie had no doubt that they would. His father was a man of his word, a man of action, and the yearling knew his father had only enforced the lesson out of love. The warlord cared about him, his safety, and he needed to be sure that he could handle himself. They had lost Zee, his father’s mate, the mother of his children, and during his time to reflect Charlie had wondered if, for a moment, his father feared losing him too. If the way he had gotten distracted during their first spar had caused his father to question if he’d be safe on the battlefield… It had made him feel a bit guilty.

He would wait, and soon enough his father and companion would be seen. Silveris was unharmed, per his father’s word when he enforced the punishment. As the Warlord approached his son the shrike would hang back, hovering in the air to give father and son their moment before she reunited with her friend.

A small relieved smile appeared on the yearling’s maw as Sirius butted against his brow. “I’m going to keep making you proud of me.” His words were softly spoken, but they were a promise as the boy drew back, looking at his father. There was no ill will, nothing more than the love and respect Charlie had always held for the man.

“I thought a lot about that day…” Charlie’s smile faded, his look becoming serious. “I know I messed up, and… I’m sorry...” Charlie’s expression softened. “When I first approached you about my rank I didn’t think about how I should actually approach it. A rank is more than just a title or role within a pack… and I should have approached the spar with that in mind in the first place…” The yearling shook his head.

“But I approached something like I would as if we were practicing when I was younger. I didn’t think about the consequences of losing or what my actions could lead to if it was a fight against an enemy.” His ears lowered. “...I’m not a kid anymore. It’s not just practice… I gave you a reason to worry, to question if I would be a liability on the field to others and myself.” That guilty feeling rose again, but Charlie did not lower his gaze away from his father’s face. Words meant nothing if your actions did not back them up.

“I hope our second spar showed that I can take things seriously… but I understand if you still don’t feel ready to make me a warrior. If that is the case, I will keep striving to improve, and prove to you that I’m capable.” Charlie spoke with resolve in his voice now. “I know the path I’m meant to take, and I will do whatever it takes to get there.” With his piece said, the yearling draws in a breath, wondering how his father would respond.

"Speech," 'Thought.'