Bearclaw Valley Oh, this is the truth of a lie you better prepare for the end

If Ashlar could have sunk more into the forest floor as he approached Skoll, he would have.  But to do so he'd likely need to be subterranean.  He was not looking forward to this lesson, and every inch of his bearing screamed it.

Ashlar hated nothing more than he hated disappointing other wolves and he knew he was nothing but a disappointment so far.  It was almost enough to make him try... but then he thought about hurting Skoll.  Actually hurting him.  And the ice in his veins refused to let his body respond.  He had never been in a true fight, never needed to defend his life or another's, and it showed plainly in his soft demeanor.

He stopped when he was only a short distance from his self-appointed mentor and ducked his head.  He had learned that trying to mentally prepare himself for this was pointless.  That he was there said something about the boy, though; he could not bear to fight, but he also could not bear to not show up.