old habits die hard

Eligos' gaze moved unwaveringly to Thalia. Watched her worried gaze between her brother and him. She'd been alone, more alone than he because while he'd chosen to stay to himself she had not, she had been left behind as her family drifted apart and away. And here her faithless brother was, returned to her, and she likely feared that he would be turned away and she would lose the only close family she had left. He weighed her happiness against the probability of Saren backsliding and leaving them again. Weighed her happiness against the possibility of a useless weight around Aerie's throat if he was not as reformed as he claimed.

"Aerie will not tolerate a wolf who will not contribute," he said carefully. "You may stay here if you are ready to pledge your loyalty and your life to your family and your pack. But if you do not prove yourself as an Aerie wolf, you will not be an Abraxas wolf any longer either." He turned abruptly, speaking over his shoulder. "There are caves in the ravine that can be used as dens, infirmaries, and caches. If you chose to den in the lakeland that is your business, but be aware that it is not as protected in the case of an attack and you may find yourself in trouble before we can protect you there. Get to know your packmates - be ready when I call them together." He nodded to Thalia, and with that he trotted away, back to his work.