"I gave you a chance," Alpha corrects sharply. He's trying to make the kid think they're still partners. He doesn't care about seeming nice. "I don't have any interest in coddling your fragile self-esteem. Just because I assumed you could manage to survive the final stretch without me holding your hand doesn't mean I have high hopes about your chances in a more brutal Arena."

He forces himself to relax, to appear annoyed rather than angry. It's a delicate balance. The kid's too smart and too jaded to believe Alpha's willing to help him out of the goodness of his heart, but desperate enough for someone he can count on that Alpha's got a chance of convince him he's still interested in a mutually beneficial relationship.

And then, once there's a sense of trust built up, beyond their shaky alliance on the glacier...well, Alpha doesn't really know what will happen but. Brutal is a nice word.