"Yes." Corrigan says it immediately, without hesitation, without question. He puts every ounce of feeling into the word, lets it resonate through the slowly-forming link between himself and his beloved mate, who fits so perfectly against his side. He can feel them trembling on each exhale, can feel the unsure doubt that fills every inch of them, and his eyes flicker up to meet Naseer's, incredulous and baffled. He'd been so young when he first met his Beta, had stolen him away from a settlement that had tried (in vain) to "civilize" the wolf out of him. Maybe that's why Corrigan can't recall Naseer ever being so frightened. Maybe he'd been rescued in time.

Kurt had spent their entire life in that world, unique and different and special, something in their very soul calling to the wild world outside the village. Of course the tight-minded humans had seen that as something to destroy, by any means necessary. It's becoming evident to Corrigan that he can't even begin to imagine what those means were.

But he can start the slow, careful journey of undoing it, with every soft word, every gentle touch. He can let everything he says and does be a way to heal the deep wounds his cherished mate carries. So he slides his hand up and down their back, leans down to press his lips to their shoulder and repeats: "Yes, beloved, it's true. You don't need to earn your place here. We've already chosen you as ours, and all we want is your safety and happiness. Nothing can change that, Kurt. Nothing you say or do or think will make us change our minds."