Luks stood with a deep frown, staring at his mate, who was inside the tent with his back turned to him. They had fought again, but he wasn't going to give in—not this time. It wasn't just about his partner's safety anymore; it was about the pup growing inside his belly. His black tail twitched, agitated, the coarse fur standing on end as he fought his instincts. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his nostrils, mixing with the familiar, comforting scent of his pregnant mate.

He wanted to move forward, to shake the omega until he snapped out of it, but he stopped abruptly, one furry paw frozen mid-air. "I can't cross it. Damn it. How long is he planning to ignore me in that damn nest?" he thought with frustration, eyes locked on the nest made with his personal belongings—soft furs and feathers he had collected himself. The straw beneath his paws crunched softly with his shifting weight.

"You, stop being so stubborn! Quit ignoring me!" he growled as his body shifted back to its human form, bones cracking and rearranging with a sound like dry twigs breaking. "You can't go, dammit... You know it's too dangerous. And your owner won't let you leave." His voice rumbled through the small space, rough with emotion.