His ears heard from the distance the young Mika give up the struggle and collapse. He couldn't help but show the smile again at the entertainment of young life in the pups. 

He listened to Crystal and the options before feeling her lean. 

The urge in him was to join the search. To always be on foot for the pack. No complacency, no lax. Avoid the comforts of safety. 

But he felt the slow morning passing by. It didn't seem threatening.

"How about we let the crew take the first patrol. We can stay at the camp, be present for the rest. Then we can just take the next patrol." 

He looked over his shoulder again, toward Mika's direction. 

"Maybe we can teach some of these pups." He said as he always thought of ways to stay useful for the pack. His one track mind of the pack kept him distracted from picking up any of Crystal's cues.