It might have been hard to accept but it was something that he had to at least acknowledge; Caligula was no longer fresh in the memory of Glorall. For whatever reason, she had ventured far and wide and had yet to return. It was a feeling that surpassed uncomfortable or even draining; it was a feeling that left a hole in not only his emotions but also his day-to-day activity. He had always spent his time tending to his mate - he hunted, he groomed, he simply basked in her glory. That had been no more for so long it seemed but even now, he struggled. At his core, however, he knew he could not allow any other to see his weakness. Rather than mope within his den, he made an effort to patrol the borders and visit each den within the territory. He made an effort to hunt along the river's edge and search for crustaceans along the shore. He made an effort and at the end of the day, it... did something, at least.

The effort did not always come easily, though, and in particular he found this day rather strenuous. He had awoken beneath the impression that Caligula had returned to him only to open his eyes to the darkness of the den, devoid of her warmth. It had started his day with a sour taste, a taste that not even the freshest of gull eggs could wash away. Perhaps it was visible in his stride, a slow and sweeping gait that seemed to take more effort than it should. Each step was met with a rattling of his body, his paw steps heavy and blunt as he moved through the tall grass. He had not even bothered to find another to spend his time with - not today - for it hardly seemed like enough. After all, he still had yet to decide whether he had become frustrated or saddened by her departure. Perhaps a bit of both, and his frustration kept him lonely.

His mind had become scattered before the howl ripped through the air; instantly, it summoned his attention as his ears swiveled to catch its intention. It was neither that of a demand or of challenge but rather it seemed to echo with something he seemed to relate to all too much at that point: the need for company, or at least the longing for such a thing. Nonetheless, he paused and swayed in uncertainty, debating whether or not to bother investigating the sound. He could always leave it to somebody else... but that was not what an alpha did, was it? That would mean that he'd let his weakness win, and that was not something he could live with.

With a final sigh of defeat, he began to move off towards the border, attempting to put a more confident bounce into his stride. The voice had been an unknown one and perhaps that incited some curiosity, at least. Perhaps one of his allies had sent a visitor? Some wolf to bring them news? Perhaps it would be news of Purge. Perhaps it would be news that would at least bring a smug smile to his face. That, of course, came crumbling down when he finally did see Glorall's apparent visitor. She was a leggy thing, tall and narrow like he but dark like... well, he dare not think of her name in such a moment. He did his best, however, to show friendliness: a wave of his tail here and there as he approached, coming to a stop a fair distance from her. She seemed... strange, perhaps, in some way or another. Few strangers came to Glorall seeking nothing in particular, after all.

"I heard you, though I noticed you were not exactly looking for anybody."

He figured he best go straight to the point, his brow twitching in curiosity. That would be enough: if she wanted something, she would speak. If not, then perhaps he would have some sort of excitement to shake the thoughts from his mind after all.