Percival can't help but notice the way Essek's body responds to the news. His breath catches quietly and he tries to give his husband a look that could pass as stern. The first time Essek ever saw him as a wolf was not ideal, with his mate freshly entering his heat. They made it work and Percy doesn't regret it: it allowed them to bond in a way they hadn't yet, and it gave him a comfort he couldn't have expected. Essek doesn't think he's a monster.

But that doesn't change the fact that he could hurt his husband, badly, and now he'll be in his rut on top of being a giant wolf.

"Essek, this isn't like the last time," he insists quietly, imploring his mate to see that. "I don't... know what rut looks like when I'm like that."

It hasn't really been an issue. His ruts had been infrequent and unpredictable before Essek came into his life. He'd been warned that might change if he and Essek were serious about spending Essek's heats together.