Noctisardor Bypass Is is and isn't isn't

This wasn't his first rodeo. Okay, it was his first rodeo as the known father, but he'd been around when his mother had given birth to his younger siblings plenty of times before. Arbiter had not given him any particular instructions, so Kaertok had only his mother's advice to guide him. Surely, that would be enough. He had stayed closer to home these past few days, especially close to the den that Arbiter had made for herself (and let's say he helped with it, too).

When he arrived to muffled sounds inside the den, he knew the time had come. Outside, he stood guard, rigid and calm and unwilling to go inside, lest he get his head ripped off. If—and it was a big if—Arbiter wanted him for any reason, he would be right here. Tonravik had taught him not to interfere with a mother unless she asked for it. No unwell smells or sounds came from the den—nothing like Raleska's birthing had been. He shuddered at the thought of that, gritting his teeth and wondering how she was doing now.