So much had changed but Stark still wasn't sure just how to process it all. He felt the world shifted on it's axis too often for him to count - losing his partner, the random male he'd let take him next to the lake, finding out that he had died, it left Stark wondering what he should do. Maybe being alone was better. Maybe that was what he needed to focus himself. Just the pack, just his family. He swallowed back a sigh, ears perking as he heard a call for the leadership - it wasn't the standard howl of a joiner though. 

Stark gave a short call of his own before he made his way to find Valette standing there, curious as to what she'd wanted. It was with a tinge of regret that he knew he'd have to tell her that Octavia had died. "Valette," He offered her in a low rumble, his posture still dominant over his land but not hostile at all. He'd been worked up when they'd met, and now - well. Numb was the easiest way to put it. 

Stark wasn't against showing Banner affection in front of Valette. He turned to nuzzle into her even as she nosed at him before the pair turned their attention to Valette. He wasn't going to hold his affections back in front of Valette. She wasn't a loner coming to find a home, he didn't need to show his authority - he didn't feel threatened then.  She explained that her pack had relocated, calling themselves Easthollow now. He wondered where in the Valley they'd settled down, they were closer it seemed than what they'd been before. 

"You guys are setting before winter?" He asked, wondering how long they'd been there and he hoped that with winter breathing down their necks that the pack was establishing its new territory well. The thought came to him that he'd have to tell Valette that Octavia had passed; he was so weary of telling people that news. He'd wait though, not distract them from the conversation until later.  

Stark offered her a small smile when she announced her rank. It was a proud moment, no doubt, and Stark could remember how he'd felt when he himself had become Beta. Ascending to Alpha had not been done so with joy exactly - but a burning need of necessity to command the destiny of the wolves he'd come to care for. The Keep had needed stability that Harlyn and Octavia hadn't been able to supply at that point and he couldn't just sit back and have the pack fall to pieces. Hopefully the same fate wouldn't befall Valette. 

"I'm sorry to hear it." Stark said as the news of the beheaded female was offered - it seemed that this Easthollow had it's own set of issues. He looked to Banner, lowering his head across hers for a moment as if to comfort his sister, thinking of her, of Amara, of Harlyn, of the tiny puppies - of his own Tambourine. He swallowed thickly before lifting his head from Banner's. "We'll keep an eye out.....how old are the children, is the father about?" Of course if there was no parent hopefully someone in the pack had stepped in - like he had for Tambourine, like the pack was doing to help Amara. 

Though the distance between them was great it was clear that Valette and Banner had a decent relationship. Though he'd blown up at her originally he was also fond of the woman. He agreed with Banner's confidence in Valette - she seemed eager to help, to work, and Stark knew it would carry her and her pack far. 'If we can help at all, the Keep is always a friend of yours." He said with a nod, just sparing a glance to Banner to see her thoughts. It wasn't necessarily an alliance, but, it was a start - diplomacy wasn't his strongest field but he was trying. 

"Not only have I been taking care of Octavia's boy Tambourine but a mother and her three children came into the Keep. Her former pack Rosings fell. It's been hard, but, seeing the pack come together for the sake of the children is a reward all it's own." Stark said, hoping to be encouraging although he didn't know if that was something that they were really in need of anyone else's support.

Banner seemed to agree with his thoughts - it wouldn't hurt them at all to find themselves an ally. "Absolutely. We'd be happy to make a visit." Stark nodded at her words, giving them some time but not hesitating too long so that they somehow forgot one another. Not that he thought it would happen, not really. Without warning the course of the conversation hit him hard, taking the wind from his lungs in the question. Banner was straight to the point and while he appreciated that she didn't leave it to him she certainly didn't sugarcoat it at all. 

"She...she passed a couple months ago." He said with a frown, looking down at the ground for a moment. He looked up to meet Valette's eyes, his own a bit far off, nearly fogged with emotions. "I found her wandering and she was skin and bones - really sick. There was nothing I could do. She passed at my side before I could even get her home." Stark explained gently.