The Touch of Demise │18+

13: A Worthy Mate

She paled before him. Just as quickly as she realized what he was to her, she realized what it all meant.

The first thought that flooded her head was that she, a sick and normal woman, had a destined male for her. Demise was ultimately created for her as she was made for him. He was everything; her better half and concurrently her better extension.

The second was that she had never felt anything as potent as her feelings for him. They didn't scare her. She always wanted to feel something like what she felt right now. She wanted to get lost in the deep resonance of his voice and the darkness of his red eyes. She wanted to throw herself headfirst into her feelings, and flood her senses with the pleasure of the revelation.

The third, and the most crushing thought, she couldn't give herself to him. She couldn't be with him. She knew in this very instant that he would do anything for her; he'd kill for her, he'd fight for her, he'd get lost in the madness of protecting her. She couldn't allow that. She couldn't let him put his Kingdom behind her. She wasn't strong. She was sick.

He deserved more, better, healthier.

A wolf as strong as him deserved a she-wolf just as sturdy. She wouldn't ruin his reputation. She wouldn't destroy everything he'd built.

She wouldn't taint his strength, his legacy, his everything.

She didn't want to have pups. She couldn't give him healthy, strong, children to take his crown. 

'''I-" She stepped back from him, shaking her head. She tried to ignore the look of hurt in his eyes. "I can't."

He let her go. She ran out of the palace. The brisk air drowned her as she ran away.

She was protecting him. She wanted the best for him and she wasn't that. She wasn't a Queen– a Luna, a Prima.

As she slowed down because of the pain in her chest, her heart broke, because through the trees, within the wind, and under the moon, she heard the painful howl of a rejected Primus.

»»————-　　————-««

Several Years Ago...

Little Grace sat on the swing on her porch with her Tiana doll in her hands. Her mother had put her hair into two tight big buns on the top of her head. Her edges were laid and her buns had small pink ponytail balls around them.

She hummed while brushing through the Princess' hair. She was told by her dad that she could play outside, but to not go off the porch. She listened. She always listened.

"Grace?"

She looked up at her mother who was wrapping her bandana around her thick cornrows. "Yes, mommy?"

"I have to go to the blood bank–" she trailed off, cocking her head to the side, watching what Grace was doing to the doll's hair. "What are you doing?"

Grace watched as her mother knelt in front of the swing. She took the doll away and smiled at Grace's attempt at a braid.

The little girl pouted. "It's not as good as yours."

Her mother gripped her chin with a stern grasp but gentle eyes. "Don't you worry. You will get it. I promise. Your grandmother taught me and I will teach you. Then you can teach your pups."

The girl smiled wide and nodded. "Mama?"

"Yes, Grace?"

"The blood bank sounds scary. Is it bad?"

Silence filled the porch for a moment. Her mother zipped up her peacoat before stuffing her hands in her pockets. "Go get your jacket. It's not scary."

As the mother and daughter walked down the cobble path, Grace felt relieved. Giving blood must not be a bad as she thought since her mom was taking her. Within a few minutes they came to a large building. There was a big red cross on the front door.

Her mother bent down, buttoning up Grace's jacket more. "You have to stay warm, Grace," she chastised.

Grabbing Grace's hand, the duo walked in. It was bright, but the smell of something burned her nose. She twisted it in disgust. A nice woman led them to the back where there are a bunch of long chairs in a row.

Her mother sat down and took off her jacket, resting her arm on the table. It was a quick and rather painless experience. Soon, the two were back outside, walking to their home.

"But why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you have to give blood?"

Grace's mother inhaled for a long second before responding. Grace could feel her hand grip her's tighter. "Several reasons. When lycanthropes are injured, sometimes the blood of others can save them–"

"But we heal quickly, I thought. I mean, not me because I have CF..."

"Listen to me," her mother suddenly stopped and knelt down in front of her daughter. She grabbed her hands, bringing her tiny knuckles to her lips to kiss them. "Just because you are sick, does not mean you are any less strong. It might even mean you're the strongest of us all. As for blood, there are other reasons women have to give."

"Like?"

"There are rumors. Do you remember that story your friend told you about the hybrid that take children from their beds?"

"I couldn't sleep for weeks! Oh no! Is it true?"

The women laughed, shaking her head. "No, but there are rumors that the reason we have never seen the Primus of this land is simply because he cannot walk in daylight. There is something different about him, Grace. He's different just like you."

"The Primus is a hybrid? Of what, mommy?"

"Now that is what I don't know. I don't know what he is. But I do know every Primus has their secrets and there's a reason why only we need to give blood."

"Doesn't that scare you? He's...different–"

"So are you, Grace. So am I. Just because someone is different doesn't make them inherently bad."

Grace smiled brightly as she enthusiastically responded: "just like being sick doesn't make me weaker!"

"Exactly."

Author's Note 

You don't have to read this, but if you want to know what's going on in my life, keep reading...

I know this is short, but I wanted to get something out! I currently work two jobs and am going to school to be an EMT, so I am a bit busy. I will try my hardest  to routinely get chapters out because I am excited for this story. At the same time, I want it to be good. 

QOTC: How do you think Demise will react  to the rejection? Will he follow her? Will he take another chosen to make her jealous? Will he let her go?

As always, be safe. 

- JEM