Steady walked along a trail he had taken a time or two, heading across the mountain. He didn't have any particular destination in mind, but he liked to patrol the territory just as he did its borders. His mind wandered as much as his body did, going over all the changes that Silvertip had been through. From the loss of Fitz, June, and then Solemn, but then the addition to so many new members, to the promotion of himself. If anyone had asked him four months ago what today would look like, he hadn't thought it would be this. But, he was trying to be positive. The growing pack needed a leader they could count on to move them all forward.

A howl brought him out of his thoughts and he paused, knowing exactly who it was. After a moments hesitation, Steady trotted in the direction of the borders. Chaska had let him and Fitz know he would be traveling, and would return, but couldn't tell them when. Steady hoped when was now. His tail wagged in preparation of seeing his old friend. 

A smile formed on his features as he held his body in its newly accepted Alpha position. He approached Chaska, his intent to nudge his shoulder in a friendly greeting. Chaska! You made it back! As Steady's eyes roamed over the other male, he realized it wasn't without harm. Are you okay? he asked, looking at his leg before turning his gaze back to Chaska's face. 

Steady had been so excited to see Chaska that he hadn't even taken in his form. But, as the other male spoke, Steady's gaze looked over him and the Alpha noted his sunken form, disheveled coat, and the scars on his face. When Chaska barely caught himself from falling, Steady went to his side, lending his friend his strength if he wanted to lean on him. 

Are you able to walk to the river? It isn't very far, he comment. If Chaska could get there, he could get some water and Steady would attempt to get him some fish to eat. Steady really wished they had a caregiver, as they would be more knowledgeable to help Chaska. Unfortunately, even with the influx of wolves into the pack, Steady knew there weren't any medics.

Just like that, Chaska was silently added back to the pack. At least, Steady assumed he was here for good. When they last spoke, Chaska was going to travel, and had every intention of rejoining upon his return. Unless he verbalized his wishes to be elsewhere, Steady would continue to think he was home.

What happened? Did someone attack you? Steady questioned worriedly. If another wolf had fought with Chaska, Steady would round up the males of the pack and hunt them down. He had always been protective of his family, and now was no exception.

As they walked, Steady made sure to match his speed with Chaska's, doing his best not to move too quickly while he lent support. His ears folded on his head at Chaska's question as they reached the edge of the river. Chaska, there have been some changes since you left, Steady began softly. June and Solemn have passed, and Mason went missing after June passed. I took over Alpha and Zaria is Beta now. He knew it would be a lot to take in. Krypton is still here. She's a strong Gamma, he added. We have quite a few new wolves. He went quiet, his gaze on Chaska, wondering how the news would affect him.

Chaska refrained from answering Steady's question, instead commenting on the landscape. Steady's ears flicked back, a sure sign he was a little irritated that Chaska was trying to skirt his question. But, Steady would not force him to speak of something he didn't want to. He wasn't sure what happened, but what mattered the most was that Chaska was back and safe here. I suspect it will return in full soon, and the prey will follow suit, he responded, a sign to his friend that he had let the other subject drop.

The black wolf nodded to Chaska's kind words of the wolves they had lost. I still hold hope that Mason will return. He and June were so close that maybe her passing made him feel he couldn't stay here any longer. I found no signs of foul play, so I assume he left of his own will, he explained. It was Steady's theory, and the only one that allowed him to sleep. The thought of losing Mason, on top of all the others, was just too difficult to stomach. So, until there was proof, Steady would go on thinking Mason was fine, living on somewhere.

Steady sat back on his haunches on the bank of the river. You should drink, Steady advised. I wish we had a healer to help you. Maybe he could borrow one from another pack? They had now real allies, but no enemies, either. He wasn't sure which packs, though, Fitz had been in contact with that would increase their chances of being lent a wolf who could help.

Steady's ears perked when Chaska's stomach rumbled. It was a noise he heard far too often lately. It just reminded him that they were all basically starving to death, little by little. Well, not today. I'll catch you something, Steady said, determination in his voice. He waded into the water, turning so that he still faced Chaska.

He knew it would take a little while for the right fish to come by, and didn't mind talking while he waited, though he kept his voice lowered and even, and his gaze on the water. They seem to make up a pretty good group so far. Phocion, Ezekiel and Makui are the males- Makui being the newest. Niita and Anita are the females, he explained. I sort of have a major crush on Niita, he added with a grin. They all have been diligent on feeding the pups as best they can, and still protecting the territory. Honestly, he couldn't have wished for a better pack.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spied a fish heading his way. When it got closer, Steady dived for it, his head and neck going under the water as his jaws opened. He came back up empty jawed, however, and set himself back up for another try after shaking the water from his fur.

His grinned turned into a smile. Yeah, I think she is, he commented. Niita had a special air about her, and if he was really honest, he'd say her naivety only made him like her more. She was sweet and caring, and seemed to share his affection. His initial jealously aimed at Phocion had calmed down, and now he could focus more on her and not who may or may not be hitting on her.

Steady was quick to shake his head side to side when Chaska offered his help. No, no. You relax right there. I'll get something, he said, determined. His gaze went back to the water as several fish swam by. They weren't close enough, so he made no move to go after them. After a few minutes, he seen his second chance and took it, diving his head in once more. This time, he came up with a fish. It wasn't very big, but hopefully it would take the edge off of Chaska's hunger. Steady gripped it tightly as he made his way to shore, the fish struggling in his jaws. He hopped up onto land and set the fish next to Chaska before walking several yards away to shake the water from his fur. He went back to his friend and sat back on his haunches, watching him quietly.

Steady watched as Chaska ate, still wondering what had happened that he had gotten all these injuries. But, he was respectful enough not to bring up the subject again. Instead, he tried to bring up something more positive. The pups will be interested in getting to know you, I think. Especially Odette. She's had a lot of questions about Fitz, and you might be able to fill in some stuff from before I got here, he said, making conversation. 

I'd be happy to help you back to your den, if you want. It might need some clean up, he added. If you want, I can get a pack mate to help you, too, until you're back to one hundred percent. He was babbling, and he knew it, shutting his mouth. He was just excited to have Chaska back. He, Krypton, Zaria and Steady were the last of the original pack, and he wanted to hang on to them for as long as he could.

Steady smiled, glad that Chaska seemed to want to meet the pups. He had been great with Mason and June, and Steady had every faith that he would be as equally great with Zaria and Fitz' pups. There's Adeline, Odette, and Stoic, Steady replied. Names will be easier to remember once you get to know them, I'm sure. He placed himself next to Chaska, lending him his support once more.

He almost let the comment of the past go, but he had to try once last time. Chaska, you've obviously been through something. I'm here if you want to talk about it, Steady offered softly. He wasn't saying it had to be now, but he did want his friend to know he was here for him whenever.

He smiled softly, Thank you. He was doing his best to conjure Fitz when he was trying to make decisions as an Alpha. He knew he wouldn't do everything like Fitz did, simply because he wasn't his brother. But, he knew he couldn't go wrong by imaging what Fitz would do.

He walked with Chaska to his den, making sure he was comfortable, even attempting to help dig out the den a little to straighten it up. When the other male was settled, Steady would let him know he would check on him soon, and then the dark male would return to his duties.