Chapter 12: Please, Don’t… I Can Fight For Us

[GRANT]

"Please, don't go, at least not yet," Grant pleaded again, hugging Gideon from the back, his voice sounding so pathetic in his ears, but perhaps this was his only chance to save whatever was of their bond, right?

To Gideon, the werewolf warrior, had to be high on something because right now, everything was confusing Gideon, and this warrior was right at the center of it. However, Gideon knew what to do.

He may have felt what Grant was feeling, but this was going to be for both their sakes. Gideon had already made his decision, and it couldn't be delayed, no matter how beautiful the man behind him was.

"Should I come with you? I don't mind living among the witches, as long as it's with you, or close to you. Don't leave me here, please," Grant said, his words making Gideon feel something different.

The witch wasn't sure what it was, but he knew this would hurt so bad. Once again, he reminded himself to always listen to Criselda, because listening to Criselda would always save him heartbreaks and awkward situations like this one.

"No, you can't," Gideon said, his voice coming off a little too harsher than he had wanted to, but the damage had already been done. Gently, he turned to look at the beautiful warrior holding onto him for dear life.

He wanted to wipe off the frown on his face, but that would be too costly for both of them. the sparks in their bodies didn't even help the situation, especially with Gideon's great desire to eat him up.

"Are you rejecting me?" Grant asked softly like he was already regretting holding onto Gideon and stopping him from walking away from him.

Gideon lifted the wolf's head up, leaving a soft kiss on his lips, an assurance that this wasn't what he had in mind. It was like a reminder that no matter what happened, the warrior could always count on Gideon.

Grant wanted to deepen the kiss, but Gideon pulled back, knowing so well his words would have a lasting effect on this beautiful man staring at him with deep black eyes he wanted to drown in.

Maybe this was the best idea, because at least he would get to finally see his reactions.

"I don't want to, little wolf, but this is something I have to do," Gideon said and Grant felt himself tense.

He shouldn't have had hope, because maybe then he wouldn't have been disappointed again. Then again, one look at the man before him and anyone would understand him. Gideon of Greroth was perfection and Grant wouldn't ever be able to forget him right?

"Something you have to do? Are you fucking serious right now?" Grant asked angrily, not believing that this was the kind of bullshit that Gideon was giving him.

He had been waiting for a response for two whole days and yet the man had decided that this was something he just had to do? What the hell was this? Christmas on hellish days or what?

"Oh love," Gideon said as he pulled Grant into a tight hug.

Grant tried fighting the hug at first, but the sparks that were flying between them made him stop. Fighting against the man that all of him wanted, was no use, so he figured he could as well give in to their pulls and desires, even if it was just for one last time.

Relaxing in Gideon's arms, Grant felt like he was home for the first time in so long. Sure, Acrod had always been home but Gdeon was also his home, but for how long?

He felt good being here with Gideon and leaning on him like this, maybe they could rethink everything, but was that ever possible at this moment?

"My life and yours are completely different, little wolf," Gideon tried explaining to Grant. It was a truth they both had to agree with. Technically them being of different races was never a reason for rejection but just like Gideon had told him, their lives were different.

One was peaceful and the other was motivated by anger.

Sure, they were the perfect combo, but Gideon didn't want this wolf to always have to deal with his anger. He knew he would be worn out and while the wolf probably wouldn't have to complain, he would be hurting.

"Why? Is it because I'm a werewolf, and you're a witch? The goddess doesn't care about that, which is why she paired us together," Grant insisted, like it was supposed to make his mate rethink his decision, but would he really succeed?

"You don't understand," Gideon insisted, something that made Grant feel like Gideon wasn't really ready to accept their mate bond. If that was the case, then Grant would fight for the both of them. He would do whatever it took, for them to be together.

Surely, it couldn't be that hard, right?

"Make me understand—" Grant began but he could tell that there was no way out of this that didn't hurt or break his heart a little more. He was doomed either way and that was a reality he wasn't ready for, not just yet.

"Fine, if you don't want me, then you can at least reject me to my face," Grant said, pulling himself out of Gideon's grasp. The hurt in his eyes made Gideon flinch, but the witch composed himself a little too fast.

"If you so wish," Gideon said and Grant whimpered.

Gideon wanted to soothe him, but how the fuck was he supposed to do that when he was the very reason the warrior was in pain? How was he supposed to make him feel better when here and now, it was all on him?

"Please understand, my little wolf, I didn't want to hurt you, but you have a mate. I know I am yours too, but I am a complicated mate. My life is hell enough as it is, and as much as I want to love and adore you, I can't.

"I desperately want to take you with me, but there are things I have to fix, issues I have to sort, and a group of people I need to punish. Having you as mine will put you in danger, love. Having you in my life will ruin you, and I can't do that to you.

"I can't introduce you to a pain I don't even know how long it will last. You will get your werewolf mate, I know that because my kind never really gets mates. We choose our mates, young wolf. I know this will hurt because you can feel the bond between us.

"But this is a bond I must reject, little wolf. This is one I can't let blossom, because it will hurt you in the future, and I can't have that. I promise you, you will find another mate, a good mate. One without so much baggage or even a terrible history like me.

"You will find someone who will love you for who you are, someone who will cherish you. As much as I want to be that person for you, I simply cannot be. I am terrible for you, and bad for your heart I—" Gideon ranted, but his mate wasn't letting him off easy.

Grant had fought wars for Acrod and he had won them all alongside the king. He knew he was strong and powerful. He was intelligent and an excellent royal enforcer; he had the ability to run a kingdom and was trusted by most of the midlands leaders.

Grant Hindley was everything anyone would want in a mate. Well, everyone wanted him, except for the person he wanted, expect for the mate the universe had given him, and fuck, that messed with his mind in so many ways.

He wasn't sure he would ever survive this and his heart was breaking once again.

Was he bound to be ruined by the bond he had always dreamt of? He had always wished for a mate, and yet now that he had one, he was being rejected. He had done nothing wrong to warrant that, and that broke him once again.

He hadn't even been given a chance to prove himself weak or strong. Instead, his mate had made a final decision, and that made Grant wonder what kind of enemies Gideon of Greroth had that could force him into this corner.

Maybe they could fight together, but would Grant survive, and more than anything, would Gideon always show up for him? There were so many questions and worried, but even with all that, Grant could only think of one thing.

He wanted to be there for his mate, alongside him in wars.

He wanted to fight with him, for him, and against everyone who wanted to harm his mate.

So why was his mate not even giving their bond even the slightest chance?

"What if I'm also bad? We're both warriors of our factions. We're both strong, and have accumulated enemies, we have ghosts haunting us. Surely we can live with that, we can fight our battles. I'll show up for you just like I know you will show up for me.

"Why can't we just give it a try, Gideon? What is it that you are afraid of? What is it that is making you take a step back from all of this? I can hear your heartbeats. You want this. I can smell your desire for me, just like I am certain you can smell mine.