Before he'd made it too far, a voice had sounded from behind him, calling for him. He recognized the voice immediately, causing his ears to fall back and his body to tense up. Xan had stopped, freezing himself in place, and considered his options. To carry on and act as if he hadn't heard the other's voice was very, very tempting, but the possible consequences didn't sit well with him. However, the reasoning behind why he was being called in the first place unsettled him, causing his stomach to churn. Had Kendra tattled on him for his behavior? His words? It seemed like a possibility, even if a part of him didn't want to believe that such a thing was possible—that, despite his fears, she never would have turned him in simply because of the few things he'd said to her. In his moment of internal conflict, though, he came to the conclusion that he would never know for why he'd been called if he didn't respond, and so the boy turned and slowly made his way back towards the tunnel's entrance.

As he neared the opening, Alexander's steps slowed even more, bringing him to a stop with his back half still within the tunnel. It was insurance, more or less, for he wanted to be able to make a quick escape if things went south. "I haven't done anything," he'd proceeded to say, pleading his case as soon as possible. For, in his mind, the only reason for Peter Cottontail Burke to speak to him was to yell at him for some reason.

The gaze on him almost seemed to burn, making his skin crawl. It wasn't often he felt uneasy, but given past encounters, he couldn't settle his innards. His stomach seemed to twist with dread, while his mind tried to figure out what the elder wolf wanted. "I just assumed since..." His words trailed off and he gave a quick shake of his head. "Nevermind." The word had come out as a murmur, moving past his previous statement. If him being in trouble wasn't the reason, then what else could it be? Xan had been under the impression, and rightfully so, that Burke didn't like him. So that eliminated a friendly conversation from the list of possibilities, since no one in their right mind would converse with someone they didn't like just for the hell of it. While engulfed by thoughts, he'd shifted his weight several times, all the while trying to remained focused as well.

"I didn't think you ever wanted to see me," he voiced, glancing at him before focusing his gaze elsewhere. When the topic of what he wanted to do came up, he looked back again, but didn't let his eyes linger for very long. "I want to focus on becoming a Mercenary, a Warrior." He'd wanted to become a Warrior for as long as he could remember. Even since before he could leave the whelping den, he'd been set on becoming the best. "I want to rise in the ranks, too. I haven't given up on wanting to be the best."

Though the decision to assume might not have been a wise one, he'd been unable to do otherwise. He was distrusting, still, certain his presence continued to be an unwelcome one. A part of him wanted to trust, however, but past experiences prevented him from being able to fully tap into that desire. It didn't help, either, that he currently stood before the very same man that had made him feel that way in the first place. As if he didn't belong, even after he'd been accepted by the late queen. So, nothing was said in regards to his previous choice, choosing instead to just drop the subject altogether. It was not the first time he'd assumed something, and certainly wouldn't be the last, especially when the leading family was involved.

To prove the other wrong had never crossed his mind, the need to protect himself having outweighed such thoughts. "I didn't want to be hurt again," he'd returned. "Or risk my dad losing his place here because of me." Those words had never left his mind, the forced realization that his dad would not let them be split up. That if he did anything wrong, his father would be the one to pay the ultimate price. Even after so long, the words could be found echoing within his mind, keeping him far from the alpha. He'd known from the very beginning that he couldn't do anything to worsen Kove's life. That, even if his ego tempted him towards one thing, he had to walk the other way. It was life, his life, it seemed, and he'd been living it in the same manner ever since that encounter so long ago.

When the Brotherhood was mentioned, Alexander was uncertain of how he should respond. Of course he wished to follow in his father's footsteps and acquire such an honourary title, but he wasn't entirely sure if he could—rather, he didn't know if he'd be permitted to. "I'd like to," he said, agreeing with the man's statement. "But don't I need a mentor for that?" He wasn't so sure. If the answer was 'yes', he'd remain without a clue as to what to do, for he was loath to seek out any assistance from Damien after their last encounter.

A few words of encouragement had been sent his way, which had then caused him to question whether or not he was hearing things correctly. In truth, he knew not what abilities he could even begin to display, for he'd not yet had the chance to further improve upon himself. Sure, he had been training in the hopes of becoming a great warrior, but he didn't know if that really qualified for what the older male was suggesting. His navigation skills then came to mind, recalling how he'd grown far more comfortable within the tunnel system. He'd considered bringing that up, but had chosen not to after a brief moment of thought. Rather, he kept silent, giving only a stiff nod to show that he hadn't been ignoring Burke.

Truthfully, Alexander had put little thought into which branch of the Brotherhood he wanted to be apart of. Being a priest had, of course, been scratched from the list immediately, but that still left two other options. As a spy, he could probably travel greater distances, but felt it would dull his skills as a warrior. He'd grow rusty, for never would he have to confront someone. That then left only one. "Yeah," he'd answered with a nod. "I'd like to become an assassin." Killing couldn't be too hard, right? The albino was certain he could do it—or, if he got cold feet, that he could force himself to go through with it.

The mentor that'd been suggested to him was someone he felt he knew well, and even favoured. She'd been kind to him, even when he'd tricked her with a story, and he liked to consider them as being friends. While being taught by her was something he was made eager by, he remained uncertain of Burke. Would he be like Damien had been? He hoped not. For the time being, he'd nodded, showing his acceptance of the advice given. Of course, he would seek out the beta when given the opportunity to do so, and perhaps even more often than the man presently before him. While the need for things to change between them was known, Alexander wasn't yet ready to act upon that. He needed time, still, before he could feel comfortable asking the larger fellow for assistance.

When test missions were brought up, the boy could feel a question tickling his tongue. It was not asked immediately, as he wondered if he was allowed to do so, but had eventually decided to voice his thoughts anyways. "How long would it be until I can do a test mission? And how far away would I have to travel?" He'd traveled away from the woods before, but it'd been without a true purpose in mind. When it came to missions, though, he'd have a reason. It'd become dangerous traveling alone, he knew, but was not bothered by that. The only thing that concerned him was how far he might have to go.