[ Essek knew there would be protestations, no matter how weak they were. But he also know that he had survived; that he would continue to survive, he stroked his fingers through locks of hair soothingly as he waited for Caleb to finish speaking his own thoughts; it was important that the werewolf have his own autonomy, it was likely more than Trent Ikithon would ever have granted him. ]

If you do not want me there, if it makes you uncomfortable then I do not have to be there, but I will offer one thing in that I have survived, Bren-- I will survive, and I can ward against you; if I feel threatened, I am equipped to restrain you as needed.

[ A gentle reminder that he was a vampire and that if he could walk into a room of a dozen or so more werewolves.. without fear-- then he could protect himself in a room with merely his mate. ] And if you attach me, it will not make me love you less. It will only make me hate Trent Ikithon more, for making you this way.