Redhawk Caldera Mama said knock you out

We can fade!

Fox relented and let him back up, and Nightjar regained his feet in an instant. He didn't like being on the ground, not with any other wolf nearby. It was too vulnerable a position. His mother explained that knowing when to quit was important and in response, Nightjar bobbed his head, but didn't say anything. For him, the time to quit was when the pain was so bad he couldn't ignore it any longer, or when he couldn't move at all, as had been the case when she pinned him.

I expect you to beat me, and Nightjar promised, "I will beat you!" The idea was intimidating for any wolf, especially an alpha wolf who needed to maintain their position, but Nightjar would never care enough to try to usurp a position of leadership, no matter how strong he became. There was no danger to Fox or Peregrine of their son deciding that he was a fitter ruler. But he would still best his mother in fights, probably most of them by the time he was an adult, since that was his only real skill.

"Okay!" said the tawny cub as he fell in behind his mother to watch her take down his former opponent. He hovered the entire time, almost annoyingly close so he could see every detail of the attack and the kill, and when they ate it, he tucked in without hesitation or thought for its loss of life.