Silvertip Mountain Poke the bear

Phocion was touched by the apology. He was glad to know that the dark beta had a softer side to him, overshadowed by the loss of his brother and the abandonment of someone he trusted. Too often he forgot, unused to personal relationships for the majority of his life, that one's inner trials could, and often did, affect their outward nature.

"It's all right," Phocion said with a gentle smile. "I understand. I promise that my story won't end the same way. And. . .I did deserve some of it, yes," he added, his grin growing wry.

Again, he noticed that Steady looked quite weary, and felt a pang of guilt at having kept him up. The beta must have been looking for a quiet place to snooze when Phocion came upon him.

"You should get some rest, Steady. Not ordering you or anything like that. . .wouldn't dare!" He barked a short laugh at that. "But you look tired. I'm sorry to have bothered you, but I thought it would be quite awkward if I passed by without a word."