we built this city on broken glass

Nadya's leaving had been...more than simply surprising. It had caught the equine Alpha entirely off guard. That very notion was a rarity in itself and yet, around Nadya at least, Frost had finally become....comfortable. He had allowed himself, perhaps foolishly, to be lured into a false sense of security in her presence. He had become used to her being there. In his home, his life, his bed each and every night. She had been a constant. One he had allowed himself to develop an attachment too and emotions toward- against all better judgement. A mistake he would not be inclined to make again. Those emotions, as always however, so barely seemed to scratch the surface of the stoic equine even despite the very depth of those metaphorical cuts. Pack came first. It always had. His pack did not need some blubbering heartbroken wreck of an Alpha. Nor would he present them with any such thing. He had a job to do and how wholeheartedly he threw himself into that very role as he strode up those stairs and towards his Beta. Edith and her apparent return, for a few moments at least, could wait. Oliver, surely, could manage both women downstairs in his absence. Abigail, by way of her very nature, would surely make Edith feel welcome enough as Frost's attention fixated upon Malia entirely. One hand rose to rest upon the young woman's shoulder. That touch was warm, assured and yet fleeting as his hand returned to himself. Frost, even after so very long in the company of that pack, continued to find a disdain of sorts in that physical closeness others seemed to delight in. Malia, thankfully, so managed to restrain herself from hugging him even if the thought danced upon the fringes of her mind.

Malia, for several moments, seemed to...struggle with whatever it was she desired to say. The woman looked upon the verge of tears and yet, by her own sheer will, she managed to swallow them back as she cleared her throat. Hmmm. She always had been a good choice for Beta. There was nothing wrong with feeling that very emotion he knew turned with discord within his companion and yet- there was a time and a place for such things. Malia, it seemed, was nothing if not determined to carry on even if that hurt was undoubtedly significant. Malia, after all, had been close with Nadya and her children. The young wolf, however, seemed near boldly determined not to fall to pieces over that abandonment. Frost, in that moment, inclined to find himself impressed with his Beta as her gaze rose to his own for confirmation of those words she uttered.

"Yes Malia, we will be entirely alright."

The snowy-haired man allowed that faintest of simpers to find his lips once more. His features, momentarily, seemed to soften just so for the young woman before Malia sighed softly, her gaze glancing down those stairs and toward the undoubtedly unfamiliar scent and sound of Edith as she lingered beside Oliver and Abigail. That query of whether or not Edith was an old friend, however, seemed to prompt the stallion's features to frown ever so slightly- as if debating those words for several long moments- before his gaze met Malia's own once more.

"Old Beta- actually."

Frost paused momentarily once more if only to allow Malia to consider those very words. They had, after all, discussed Edith once- long ago, when Frost had informed Malia of those very expectations he held for her within the role she currently held and had done so for months.

"Find me later tonight, Malia. When the others are sleeping. There are things we must discuss in the wake of Nadya's departure. For now, however, we have other matters to attend to. Join us downstairs when you are ready."

Frost's gaze found the young woman's own once more, his head offering that subtle nod as he turned to step back down those stairs- Malia afforded several more moments to gather herself- if she so required- before he expected her to take up those duties of Beta and meet with Edith in turn. The stallion's footsteps fell smoothly atop those steps as he descended the staircase to step back down and into the hallway and adjoining kitchen- Edith's query on those purple carrots was hardly missed and yet the stallion made no effort to answer that query. Not when he suspected Abigail might take delight in sharing her knowledge of that unusual coloured vegetable. Oliver, for his part, seemed almost relieved at his return. As if he had suspected the women might somehow consume him now that he was outnumbered. Hmm. He must ask Oliver about women later. The other man, while nothing short of doting toward Abigail, had so hardly ever mentioned a girlfriend, a mate or a partner of any kind. Such thoughts however, were so hardly critical in that very moment as Frost moved to step into that kitchen. The Alpha stepped past that table then and that platter of vegetables Abigail had been excitedly exploring moments before only to leave back agianst the counter, his arms folded across his chest as his violet gaze, at last, lingered upon Edith. He had hardly seen the woman in years and yet....she was just as he recalled her. Those introductions, he suspected, had already been made and yet the equine nodded toward his companion in turn as Malia descended the stairs to join them.

"Oliver, Abigail- this is Edith. My former Beta. Edith, this is Oliver, Abigail and ah, Malia- my current Beta."

Frost's gaze flickered to each member in turn as that simple introduction was offered and Malia stepped into the kitchen. Each member so momentarily afforded a chance to offer some greeting to Edie before Frost's violet gaze turned upon the WereFox once more. He knew so entirely why Edith had returned, he could see it within her mind and yet the equine made little effort to give away his knowledge of that very thing. Frost, for now, afforded Edith every chance to speak for herself and make clear her own wants. His voice however, remained as cool and calm as always. Giving so little away of any of his own thoughts upon the matter.

"Is there something we can help you with, Edie?"

FrosT