[ hank settles his hand over Gavin's familiar heartbeat. He's alive, it's true. He's alright. ]

It's not gonna happen again. I won't fucking let it.

[ That might be the alpha in him making him sound tough, but Hank really means every word. It doesn't matter if he has to learn how to spread his influence or maybe he has to follow Gavin around -- he's not losing him again. Not when he already doesn't deserve something this good. ]

You say that now. Being mated is... [ Well, Hank doesn't know all the details, does he! ] It's something else. It's more.