Steady laid in the spot where Krypton had disappeared hours before, his head on his front legs that were stretched out before him, doing his best to refuse that she was gone. He had at least finally come to understand that her reason for leaving had nothing to do with Silvertip Mountain, nothing to do with him. There were things outside of this part of her family that was calling her, and she had to go. 

He was still hurt by the fact that if he hadn't been doing a late patrol, he never would have known that she had left, or why. She would have just vanished overnight. He still didn't understand that. No matter her reason for leaving, he thought she, and each of their family members here, would have had the decency to verbalize their leaving, even if they refused to say why. But, she had no intention of that.

A whine escaped his throat. Maybe he was being over dramatic. After all, Krypton had said she wouldn't be gone for long. But, he couldn't help but think that she wouldn't. There was obviously something strong that called her away- what if it kept her away? He didn't even know if he was supposed to find himself another Beta or not. Would that be rude- to simply replace her like that? He sighed, his gaze still on the spot he had last seen her in the distance.

It wasn't long before he was no longer alone. Ezekiel's scent preceded his voice, but Steady made no move to lift his head from his forelegs. He didn't mind his friend being close, and gave no indication that he shouldn't be. Krypton left, he said softly, the sadness evident in his voice. She was just going to leave, without a word to anyone.

That was the part he just couldn't wrap his head around. She was so loyal, and such a great friend and pack mate. After everything, how could she think it would hurt less if she vanished without an explanation? If she had come to him, explained what was going on, he would have understood. Instead, he had been blindsided and shocked. He knew his reaction hadn't been supportive, but somewhere deep down, he was. He understood family and the need to check up on them, but what about this family? They deserved more than just a silent departure.

Steady scoffed softly. Yeah, it did blow, and more. Yeah. Said that she needed to go check on her family, he explained, finally lifting his head to look at Ezekiel. I understand that part, but I came upon her trying to leave without telling anyone. Why would she do that after all we've been through? 

Maybe Ezekiel would be able to explain in a way that would make Steady understand. The Alpha had racked his brain for a couple hours now, trying to figure it out, and he had come up with nothing. 

Leading a pack of wolves with the tradition of seeing each wolf as family, Steady was not new to the idea that a pack meant more than just blood. The bonds they formed, he hoped, would be strong enough to withstand times like these when wolves were taken from them, for whatever reason. That's why Steady wasn't upset, anymore, over Krypton's reasoning. Family meant everything to him, and it obvious did to her, as well. It was simply her other family that called her away.

Even in understanding, it didn't lesson the pain of her leaving. Ezekiel theorized that maybe she didn't like long goodbyes. Steady couldn't disagree that it was selfish of his Beta to want to leave without saying anything, knowing how much it would hurt. But, Steady could imagine the future if he hadn't of caught Krypton leaving. If she had left without an explanation, and returned after however long, and told me that she had to leave because something drew her away... He shook his head, trying to find the right words. I would have felt betrayed. We would have went all that time, thinking that something happened to her, thinking she could have died, when all along she had left of her own accord. I don't know... I don't know if I would have accepted her back under those terms. We mean more to her than that. We have to. Because she meant more to them.

As those were Steady's feelings, it was lucky that he had caught her and learned why she was leaving. Under the true circumstances, he would gladly accept her back when she returned. And, she did have to return.

Steady let his friend's word sink in. Steady fully believed that this pack and the wolves here did mean a lot to Krypton, otherwise she wouldn't have been so loyal all this time. But, it also confused him all the more that she would leave without a word. Ezekiel as confident she would be back, and Steady had to believe the same. It just didn't make sense for her not to.

He nodded to Ezekiel and sighed. You make a good point, he admitted. He was really glad he had a friend like Ezekiel to confide in. I'll just... Wait. Until she gets back. However long that was. Steady didn't really care how long it was. When Krypton came back, he would be ecstatic.

Steady chuckled. Well all know you need more of that, he said with a grin. In all honesty, Steady wasn't worried about Ezekiel and how he had come off a bit... stoic when he first arrived. Knowing the male better these days, he was confident that Ezekiel simply took time to trust, and Steady admired that. Sometimes being too trusting himself, it was an asset to have someone on his side to bring him back to reality.

He nodded as his friend spoke, realizing he hadn't know Ezekiel had been a Beta before. What was your other pack like? he asked, wondering. His expression softened when Ezekiel mentioned how he felt. It was bittersweet for Steady, who had lost his own brother earlier this year. He wasn't sure if he would be dishonoring FitzDutiful by giving Ezekiel that title. You know I think of you as family, too, he said with a smile, which was true. But, he wasn't ready to call him brother. He would need to work out his feelings about it first, to make sure the guilt was gone first.