Besides, why would Gladio leave Prompto and Noct alone? He knew Ignis was out in the field getting things for supper. It just wasn't in his stance as a Shield to leave his charge what to do.

However, he'd done what he wanted - he'd gotten his prey into the rocky area. He waited until the prey looked away... then slipped into the rocks to follow him at a different, unseen angle.

The predator was suddenly gone. That was exactly what Gladio had been acting like - a preadtor.