No matter if Winchester got better or not Castiel still had work to do. Though the chocolate male was loathe to actually leave the dark man's side he still had work to do and that included frequently running the borders. On his return trips he usually brought back something - occasionally bringing back food, other times he brought back some oddity that he found. Today he left the male's side and for the evening to make another patrol before he retired for the night. 

He liked the late night patrols, he liked to explore while others might have been sleeping. It meant that he owned the hours himself, that they became nothing but his and he could take his time and move as leisurely as he pleased. He caught a scent maybe halfway around the borders and went to investigate, giving a low chuff as he did so. 

For the male it was frequent to come upon those who were respectful; these exchanges were far more enjoyable to Castiel though from time to time he could not deny the thrill of the scrap and the scuffle. With the memories of war still so fresh in his head he was happier to not need to struggle and fight with anyone and the wolf before him was being proper to him anyways. Castiel stopped with a few paces away, builty frame watching the male closely. "Good evening," He rumbled, gravely voice pitched low. "What were you doing out here?" Sleeping - perhaps, or resting, but Castiel was more interested in the intentions of the stranger. 

His blue eyes drifted across the male's form, noting his respectful posture with a pleased hum. "Relax, if you would like." Unlike the female who had called herself a warrior while being mortally wounded (at least Castiel assumed so) this male was polite. He did not feel the need to use force or demand extended respect from him.

His ears shifted to curve towards the male, listening intently. He hadn't wanted to disturb anyone during the night. Fair enough. He wasn't trying to be too sneaky nor was he wanting to set the pack on edge. A ghost of a smile grew on his face and Castiel nodded, listening to his name and retaining it. Flaris. It wasn't one he'd heard before but then, everyone in Poughkeepsie had an unusual name. "Castiel," He offered evenly. He rarely had anyone who he considered close enough to call him Cas - Winchester might, but, it would depend on how the male felt.

"Donnelaith is the pack you have come upon, a place respectful to it's wolves and their passions." He explained. "And what, Flaris, are yours?" He asked curiously, wondering more about the male and his intentions. 

The answer was neither here nor there, and for any wolf the hope of living a long and happy life was a noble one. They so rarely got such luxuries however, and Castiel had first hand experienced such things. To be betrayed by friends and family alike, to see the ones you loved fall to war - it would last with the brute until his death. It had damaged his trusting nature and now Castiel had begun to regard things with suspicion. 

Castiel focused in on what the male was saying, working to consider if this male would be a proper fit. So far, there had not been many who didn't fit with the concepts of Donnelaith and the peaceful forest pack's ways. "There are many who heal here, a few who run the borders, is mentoring  others what you would like to do here, as well?' Castiel asked curiously. "What areas do you mentor in?" Not only did it give the male more insight to the stranger but it also stole some time so that when he did call Aria, it might not have been quite so late out. 

Castiel's ears perked a little - he liked the stars himself, though he wasn't sure that he was properly trained or could suggest he was. Castiel listened to him, giving a nod while he admitted it was mostly survival, traits that were good for the young. Though the pack's only children were soon to join the adult ranks it might be beneficial should they have any fertile females wish to have children in the spring. "There is much we can all still learn, perhaps brushing up skills might not be a bad thing for even the elders." Castiel suggested. It wasn't his choice though. "@Aria, the Alpha, would give final word on your acceptance or dismissal." He explained calmly before he lifted his head, calling the Alpha. 

When his howl had ebbed Castiel took a seat, waiting for Aria to approach. The question that he asked was not unexpected. How long had it been? The better part of the season, he felt. He wasn't even certain anymore. "A couple months," Though it was admittedly a guess. He had barely even focused on the time frame. "Have you traveled long?" He asked, wondering if the man had seen many changes on his time - the life of a wanderer though noble enough, was not the one that Castiel preferred. 

Castiel regarded him for a moment when he spoke of the journey and his siblings. He didn't even know if any of them had ever survived. Winchester had, so, perhaps that left more opportunities open for some of his siblings to show up. "I had many, yes." He said quietly, though what the man was asking for whas the present and he could not provide that. "There was....an attack, of my home pack. I do not know how many of ours made it out alive." He admitted quietly. 

He didn't fault the male for his question, it had been an unlucky point of conversation. He should have investigated more - he might have found more of their wolves and been able to help. He was not sure what he might have been able to do but he could have tried and he had not. He had been weak, and he had shown cowardice, though at the time he felt it was the only course of action that was appropriate. Maybe he would journey back but it would take weeks - take months perhaps in total and he didn't want to be away from Winchester for that long. "I did not mean to rouse you so late, Deirdre." He offered - he had not known that Aria had left the pack in the hands of the child and his concern grew. 

Castiel did not know the inner workings of Donnelaith, the plans laid out by the snowy Alpha for the pack she would certainly be abandoning - nor did he know why. He looked to Flaris for a moment as the male introduced himself, getting straight to the point. "He enjoys mentoring," The guardian offered to the young woman, as if to allow her insight into their previous conversation.