Shade's tail flickered around a bit as he sat down near her, but not nearly as close. He eventually was sitting there, watching to make sure she was okay. She was upset and he blamed himself for being stupid. "If Koda really can't lead anymore. I'll need you more then ever Rose. I don't care if it's as my friend or as my mate! I'll have to lead and what am I suppose to do? I cannot do this alone and I can only tell Elettra so much. But a true friend, or a mate, I can tell them everything. I need you Rose." He said, whining almost in a pitiful voice. since he'd won the rank challenge with Reed, he was second. If Koda could not lead, he would be next in line.

He hid his face to hide his emotions. He loved her, and didn't want her to feel pressured by him, his eyes and mind screaming at everyone around her while his muzzle stayed shut. The smalled scar on his muzzle, just noticeable, from when Elettra had hit him out of anger. It shown through, the only flaw in his natural body on his entire face, body in general too. It was the only scar he'd ever received, the only physical scar that was. He had plenty of emotional scars from his childhood.