Apologies for the long wait!
He had trekked westward from the Backwater's grounds, feeling the need to get a bit of distance and catch his breath. While it was good to be with his children again, it was stifling. Especially when he had to bow down to that boy of a leader. But he kept his tongue quiet and his scheming to himself. The long term goals were far more important than his desires in the now, even if he found himself to be in a sour mood most of the time.
Rochus steered himself toward the sound of running water, hoping to get in a quick drink before maybe looking for something to eat. The day was only half gone, and he was not planning on returning to the pack border's for a little while. He smelled her scent long before her dark grey form came into view. Evidently she had been drawn in by the sound of water as well.
His mouth was torn between a smug smile and a deep frown, ending up in some vaguely disgruntled expression even as one ear flicked forward with some curiosity. Part of him wanted to simply slip away without a sound, knowing full well what Modesto thought of him. But after pushing down his own wants since joining the Backwater, he finally decided to do something for himself.
"I'm surprised you haven't run off back home yet," he said simply while raising a single eyebrow at her, wondering if she would take the bait or just brush him off.