Despite a cocktail of hormones keeping him happy and pliant, Essek bristles slightly at the chiding tone between his husband's reproachful look and his warning. Aggressively sensible this time, he insists, "Then you certainly should not be alone. At the very least, I can keep you preoccupied so that you do not get into additional trouble."

To do otherwise would be silly, he thinks, when Percival has just admitted to him that he doesn't know what could happen to him, or what he might be driven to. Who better to manage him in such a state than his own mate?

"I am far from defenseless, should it come to that. Which I trust that it will not," he attempts to soothe, lifting his hands to cradle his alpha's face. "We cannot be apart during this time," he insists, more softly, yet more intensely. "I attempted it briefly, and it was torturous. I fear what you might do to seek me out far more than I worry about you doing me any harm."

Essek doesn't believe Percival would be capable of hurting him, especially now, when his instinct is to protect his mate and keep him to himself. But hurting others in a perceived defense of him, or an attempt to deter potential rivals? That is more concerning.