Completing the hunt successfully had allowed Viorel to release some of the anger that he had felt when his sons had disobeyed them. In fact, on his way back to the den he felt guilty for letting his emotions get the best of him twist in his now full belly. He carried a hunk of elk in his jaws, a kind of peace offering for the children. Despite how guilty he felt over the strength of his reaction, he still stood by his decision for sending them back without a lesson.

When he arrived Archer was laying in front of the den, but Eros was nowhere to be seen. Placing the venison down at his paws, it did not take long to determine that his other boy was shoved deep down, hiding away from the world. Viorel sighed, fatherhood was teaching him that he needed to work on his sensitivity.

Keeping his tone stern, but lacking all the anger that had coloured it earlier he called, ”Eros, come out here, I have to speak with you.” Then he nudged the meat towards Archer, an olive branch.

Archer didn’t reach for the food, and Eros looked absolutely miserable when he left the den and plopped himself down away from the pair. Nudging the elk closer to his son again, he sighed, not entirely sure what to say to his sons now that the time had come. Standing up and pacing back and forth a few times, he grit his teeth in frustration, why didn’t he know what to say? Why the fuck hadn’t he had a father himself who he could use as an example in these situations?

Finally, his paws stopped and he decided to do the only thing he could think of; talk to them like adults. They were getting close to it by now anyways. ”I am sorry that I yelled at both of you, I should not have lost my temper like that.” Viorel looked up now, yellow eyes still stern but clearly remorseful, ”But, I need you to understand that when an adult gives you an order, you must listen and do what you’re told. Hunting is incredibly dangerous, in hunts gone wrong wolves have been known to get gravely injured, and sometimes die.”

The leader shifted on his paws, was that too morbid? ”I want you two, and all your siblings to be safe, and the pack cannot keep you safe if you aren’t listening to what you’re told.” There would need to be a punishment, but he was still silently mulling over what was most appropriate.

Archer seemed to at least hear what it was that needed to be heard, and Viorel looked away quickly when he saw tears begin to fall down Eros’ face. He felt bad, he felt guilty, and…a small part of him that he was ashamed of felt frustrated that his son was crying. Yes, he had lost his temper, but they had not been listening and he just wanted to keep them safe. He had apologized, why was he still crying.

Swallowing hard, Viorel suppressed the thoughts as much as he could. Looking back to Archer he nodded, ”I know you want to keep your brother safe, but you should have called for an adult, or told Clover and Sharlee. You need to trust the adults to do their job to protect you both, and to do the disciplining when necessary.” Speaking of, it was time to dole out their punishment.

Still not looking at Eros, Viorel straightened up, ”Since neither of you listened, you are both grounded. You are not to be within even eyesight of the borders for the next moon, whether you have an adult with you or not.” He expected some protest from this, but he pushed on, ”And, you will both need to apologize to Clover and Aunt Sharlee. They were taking their time to help teach you, and you were disrespectful by running from them, they deserve to hear that you are sorry.” Sure, he preferred take down to chasing, but that had not been their assignment. For the good of the pack you often had to do what you didn’t want to do.

Standing, he gestured with his muzzle towards the elk, ”If you’re hungry please eat while it is fresh, I have to go speak with your mother. Thank the sea gods neither of you weren’t hurt, she would tear my ears from my head.” Not even an exaggeration. Viorel took one more look over his sons, and then turned to leave, Vanadis was not going to be happy.