44 - Anger

"I'm not cancelling it," Pax said firmly. "Fang has decided that he wants to do it, and he ought to."

"It makes him uncomfortable," Ren snapped.

"Stop coddling him too much," Pax said. "It's good that he wants to work and overcome his fears little by little. You being overprotective right now will only hamper his growth."

"But..." Ren began, only to be interrupted by Pax.

"He needs your support, not your overbearing protection," Pax told him. "Besides, now he's worrying himself to death because he thinks you're angry with him."

Ren sighed heavily.

"Have some faith in your Fang," Pax said gently. "He's a strong boy and you have to let him grow. Don't clip his wings because you're afraid of him getting hurt; that does him more harm than good."

Ren rubbed his temples to ward off an incoming headache. "All right," he muttered. "But if anyone dares lay a finger on him..."