Phoenix Maplewood All the King's Men

Carried away was a blatent understatement. Reek bit back several sarcastic comments that came to mind in the sake of being polite; but at least Ukko was admitting his own fault in the matter, no matter how small he made it out to be. Baby steps.  Reek regarded Ukko's words for a short while, allowing another turgid silence to hang in the air before speaking once more.  "Right then—" he mumbled before clearing his throat.

"I still thstand by what I said... I apologithe for how I said it."  He paused, allowing a moment of stillness to set in before resuming. "You're young Ukko.  You haven't been a part of thith family for very long, and I don't think you underthtand what it takesth to lead a pack."  It was a calm reiteration of the sentiment he expressed before, but without the harsh bite of anger. "When I look at you, I see the ignornthe of youth..."

"—But, and thith is a clear 'but', I also see potential."  Reek took a step forward towards Ukko, thus shortening the distance they had laid between themselves. He affixed his gaze upon him and kept his body language strong. "You've been an athet to thith pack... I've notithed. Be my beta." He offered the position like an olive branch of peace. Part of him felt Ukko was capable, but Reek was still unable to trust him after the incident. Stipulations would have to be put in place.

'But, one slip up... and you're done," he iterated with a level of coldness in his voice. "I won't hethitate to make you a thubordinate again." Now the ball was in Ukko's court... and the only question in Reek's mind was; would he play?