He remained close, especially when the heavy scent of Nineva's pregnancy clung around the area. The fallen prince had never confronted her about it. What she did in her free time was none of his business and he had long since accepted that she was expecting children. He was to be an uncle. Never the less, it made his decision to stick around even easier than it was before. If there were children that needed protecting, then Yuka could not leave. In fact, if there was a male around, all the more reason for the Thorben to ensure that he did not hurt his little sister - not that she was not capable of taking care of herself.

The creamy russet-hued man was enjoying the breeze when he heard her approach. Amber teal-flecked eyes snapped open and his head tilted to the side to show that he knew she was near. A pleased growl rumbled at his chest at her touch, moving to offer a light touch to her check. His words gentle, voice rough from disuse when he spoke, "For you? Always."

Her words did not surprise him. After all, he had told her to call him when she was ready, if she needed anything. Amber teal-flecked eyes focused on his sister's crystal blye eye, the one that could see. When she continued on, he couldn't help the small smile that curved its way onto his lips. Name after name fell from her lips and Yuka only realized that he didn't quite recognize the woman in front of him - but she certainly reminded him or someone. Someone that was very close to the two of them. When she was done, he nodded in agreement, voice hard, "Okay."

Looking her over, Yuka's voice was much softer when he spoke again, "Dad would be proud of you." He was referring to Ash - that was who she reminded him of. While the russet brown male was not his father by blood, he had done a lot more for him than his own ever had. Stunned by his admission, the Thorben was silent for several moments, staring at his sister before finally breaking out of his silence to speak again, "What do you want my role to be in your pack?"

The large man offered her a small smile, tilting his head slightly in acknowledgment. When he was a yearling, Yuka had done everything he could to get into Ash's good graces. The man felt like he had to try extra hard having not been Ash's blood but the older man had always made him feel like his own. It might have been why the Thorben felt no resentment for the Hervok leaving - or maybe it was because he had left first. Nineva though. She was good. His little sister was continuing the legacy that the russet-hued man was sure her father would have wanted to live on. Whether Nineva knew that or not was unclear.

Ears tipped forward when she spoke again. He was at full attention, nodding his head here and there to indicate that he was listening and that he understood. Memories of blood and snapped necks shot to the front of his mind, but amber teal-flecked eyes focused on the woman in front of him. His voice was firm when he spoke, "You've got that right." A hint of a smile was on the brother's lips, "Being diplomatic isn't really my style." If he had no problem being sent away to disband a neighboring pack, Yuka had no problem doing other dirty work either.