nathaniel wheeled around at the suddenness of the voice, dark hackles raised. he had not heard the male approach him and the heaviness of winter and salt water had covered the scent of the stranger. fire eyes locked onto the man, sharp and appraising the threat he posed, the words not registering. even as he acknowledged that he had a few inches and quite a few pounds on the other male, the fierceness of his gaze didn’t waver as he retraced back to the other’s words; ”If it is relief you seek from the burden that rests in your den, I will gladly take it from you.” immediately did nathaniel’s mindset shift from defense to offensive, charcoal lips rolling back over teeth, every hair standing on end as paternal instinct fueled the temper that had been quelled since the arrival of his sons. a deep baritone growl rolled from the depths of his chest and out from between clenched teeth as he stared down the silver male with furious eyes.

he did not have to ask which son the male was speaking of - where oblivion bloomed with health, ansel sent out waves of the opposite. however, nathaniel had never considered either child a burden to himself: a responsibility, sure, but never a burden. what would he really be doing without them? at least now, he had something other to do than lurk through the seaside territory alone. as he thought about the two pups, he was struck by how they depended on him so: the pair hovering around the den, waiting for him to return with a meal, each son greeting him with laps to the lower side of his jaw, either or both of them curling into the density of his coat at night when the sea brought storms or biting chills. these thoughts led to another wave of paternal rage and the growl rolled forth tenfold.

nathaniel had to force himself not to lung at that exact moment - the other smelled of glorall as thickly, if not more so, than nathaniel did and to kill or wound a pack member could be like signing a death wish for not only him, but probably both of his pups. he forced himself to remain still, tight and quivering with the restraint, and the growl lowered in volume until he managed to spit out, ”that’s my pup you’re talking about - i think you may want to think about what you say next. i wouldn’t want to be forced to remove the burden of your fucking tongue.” and despite the fierceness of his anger, confusion simmered below it all. at one point in his life, nathaniel was certain that he would be completely indifferent to the death of a pup, especially one so frail and unhealthy. now, however, he was preparing himself to attack this wolf for offering to kill ansel. this new wave of protection, while confusing, was welcomed as his shoulders rippled in preparation for an attack that may not come.