The fallen prince was certainly not happy within Broken Timber Pines but he was not miserable either. Koda had returned, making his mission all the harder, but it had become quite obvious that the return of the man was not well. Since he had come back, there had been no challenge and Yuka had done his best to bid his time wisely. Out of all that Nina had mentioned, it seemed she held the most bitterness from the creamy man. From what the Thorben man took, it seemed as though it was his former mate and it only mate sense for Nina to be angry. Yuka felt that there was something else there though, something more than anger but he did not feel at liberty to mention it.

At times, his times as spy and "subordinate" would mix and Yuka would need time to himself. It did not take much for him to go to the borders, leave his mark, and leave the territory for a bit. They knew he would return, just as he had for the past months. Iopah had come use to him leaving, he was sure, but there was never a time when he did not return to be her faithful subordinate. Truthfully, the woman had been nothing but kind to him and Yuka had trouble discerning between his orders and the way he was being treated within his new living arrangements. And so, that day, he pushed himself harder, up the mountains.

His body did not protest when he pushed himself up, scaling up the mountain to a place where he knew no pack would bother him. By the time he got to level ground, the sun had long set, and Yuka's breath was no longer as steady. The man's stamina was not as great as his strength and he knew that he had outdone himself. The russet-hued man knew it was worth it when he was the familiar form of his Inali. Amber teal-flecked eyes rested on the relaxing figure of the woman he idolized for goodness in the world and everything, for a moment, felt right again. Until he realized that the only reason she could possibly be over here was because she was looking for an update and had nothing. Inhaling her scent for a moment, he shut his eyes, content in the peace for a moment, and disappointed that he had to break it. In a deep rumbling baritone, he spoke her name,"Inali.." 

His heart beat anxiously in his chest as she turned to face him. Of all the wolves Nina could have sent to get a report, she had to have sent Inali. Yuka felt the hot sting of betrayal within him for the golden woman but his fear was stronger. How much did she know? There were no accusatory looks thrown towards him and the Thorben could only assume that she was kept in the dark as much as was needed. After all, Nina was no longer in her prime and he doubted she wanted to take the risk coming so close to her former enemies. He huffed softly, ears flicking forward to catch the Wayha woman's words. How was he? There were multiple ways that he could have answered that question, but he decided to do it in the most hurtful way possible. His voice was clipped when he responded, "I'm fine."

He looked over her small frame and considered his position. It made sense for them to send her, she use to be a scout, and Yuka doubted the older woman would risk sending in a friend of Iopah's to retrieve information either. With another huff, he surveyed her from afar, biting his cheek before speaking, "I'm assuming Nina sent you for an update?" He was all business at the moment, on edge. He had not been expecting this visit and had any of his pack mates been with him he could have gotten in serious trouble, or Inali injured. He knew that Broken Timber Pines and Secret Woodlands were not on friendly terms but how they were suppose to act towards their Woodlands enemies was unknown to Yuka. While he certainly did not want her here for his own selfish reasons, he did not want to see her getting hurt either.

His response shocked him and made him all the more tense. This situation was getting worse and it could escalate into something bad at any moment. It had not taken him that long to scale the mountains and someone could have easily followed him. Paranoia crept into his bones but he remained silent, allowing such thoughts to torment his own mind and not taint Inali's. He did not respond her to, going over in his mind what has happened. How were things in Secret Woodlands? He hoped that his siblings were happy and that Ash was being strong and keeping them safe. The Thorben had no doubt in his mind that it was exactly what was happening. Ash was a great man and his mother was lucky to have him, it was shame she had gone off and run away again.

Teal-flecked eyes moved over towards his angel again as she spoke, watching her lips as she spoke the words. It was true, she was much older than him but he had never paid much attention to her age until now. Would there be a day when the fates took her away from him? The thought was almost enough to drive him over the edge. He had almost taken her from this world and he was not going to bring that up again, for fear of upsetting the both of them. Her questioning look drew him out of his thoughts and he watched as she walked away from him. He blinked at her, eyes sweeping down her small form before moving forward to be close to her once again. He had to say something but when he did, his voice was much harsher than he intended it to be, "You should not have come here!" He winced at his own tone.

He watched for her reaction before trying again, his voice calmer, "It is not safe for you to be here." That was better. He let out a sigh before looking away from her, the damaged part of his face towards the only woman he loved in his life. Teal-flecked eyes lifted to the sky, his teeth clenched. He wished he could tell her but now that she had made it clear that Nina had not sent her, he knew she couldn't. He was all alone out here and there was no possible way from him to continue on with his mission without being a possible casualty. Yuka would not tell her that either though, he knew what he would see.