That, too, is news to Derek. Last time he'd talked to her, she sort of grudgingly had become part of the pack, and even then, only for Stiles. But Derek doesn't prod; it's none of his business. If she wants to tell him, she will, and if she doesn't, that's fine. They're not close and he finds himself wondering whether they ever will be. He can't find it in his heart right now to forgive Peter and while he doesn't connect that at all to her, he can't help wondering whether she would be willing or able to bond with him when he's feeling that way about her father.

So to her answer, Derek gives a little facial shrug as he takes the mental note. Malia identifies as Scott's beta now. He'll keep that in mind.

"I'm not judging you, I'm just surprised. And I didn't bail, I had a sister to take care of. Scott never really wanted me around unless things got bad anyway, so I didn't figure they'd miss me much." He doesn't sound bitter and that's because he isn't. It ended up working out better for him that way, anyhow. He'll always have a fondness for Scott and he's always going to feel obligated to Beacon Hills, so Derek will forever come back when they need him, but the fact of the matter is, the Hale pack doesn't protect Beacon Hills anymore. The McCall pack does. Derek doesn't need to step on toes and if he stuck around, it would only be because he didn't trust Scott's pack to protect Beacon Hills in his absence.

Malia might not understand his motivations — hell, McCall might not — but Derek's decision to leave is his way of respectfully handing the reins over to the new pack in charge and leaving on good terms is his quiet way of making it clear that he's around if they should need him.