I Got Your Back, Always

* Happy Valentines!

[NOUR]

The Acrod palace was a piece of art. A magnificent piece of art that many would only ever wish to walk into freely like this. These corridors had once seen a young Nour running around, like he was just another kid on the block, while his father ruled.

The young prince had been the ultimate reason for King Cassius's patience and resilience and no matter what happened over the years, the pride that the father had in his son had never faded. 

Here and now while they walked the palace and with Grant telling Nour of things that the young prince had been born into. A place that had been home to him, a place where he and his father could openly become family.

Nour could sense his father watching. He knew that it was probably because King Cassius was worried his son would disappear again, as usual, but a part of him wanted to run up to his father and hug him.

The last time he had been here, the King had had a heart attack because of how his son had hurt himself and the young prince never gave him an explanation. That was something that fucked the king's mind and it was understandable.

What had happened that day in the pretense of the Ruby wolf was easily a father's greatest fear and it was then that the werewolf king knew his son was determined to make life better in Acrod.

It was a long sacrifice and while King Cassius wanted to stop his son, he could only ever hope that he would be alright. That his son wouldn't put himself in harm's way, and even strangely, King Cassius wished that Alanor would occasionally show up for his son.

Sure, the two best friends together were no good to anyone, but then at least with Alanor, the king had seen his son smile fondly and truly. He had seen his son happy and excited to live life. Maybe he would eventually get his wish, right?

"This place is so damn beautiful," Nour said as he looked around. The pace walls were filled with years and years of werewolf history, something that the entire kingdom took pride in.

Nour wondered if this place would have been livelier with his mother, the beautiful human who was mated to a werewolf. The human who chose to give birth to him even though it was risky. 

Prince Nour never thought too much about his mother, but as he stood there watching the throne room, he couldn't help but wonder if he would have led a normal life if his mother had been around. 

Granted, the werewolf king hadn't forced anything on him, or even tried to make him ascend the throne he wasn't ready for, but he would always miss his mother. He would always wish for extra seconds with her.

If anything, Queen Soraya had been the queen of hearts in Acrod, for many and with her, was the surety that their family would be united. Well, they still were, but the emptiness that reigned with her absence was still there, and would always be.

"Of course it is. I am guessing you love it?" Grant asked and Nour smiled sheepishly at his mate, reminding himself that this was his time to pretend to be so in awe of the place that held the unconditional love of family.

"I really do. It's magnificent. Your workplace makes my omega shelter look like a cave," Nour said and Grant snorted as he pulled his mate into a hug, as if to reassure him, but what was the point when they were both faking this? Or was Grant?

"You don't live in the shelter anymore, my butterfly. You will live with me. You're my mate, sweetheart. Your home is right with me, and you are my home," Grant said and for a moment, Nour felt his heart clench in grace.

He wanted to believe Grant. He really wanted to, but then he, more than anyone, knew that the man would forever be bound to the rejection Alanor had pushed him into. This was just an act for Grant and Nour wasn't hoping for too much, but just this once;

Just this once he would let himself believe the lies. Just this time he would pretend not to know that he was just a replacement for Grant, one that the enforcer had to deal with for the sake of the power he held.

However, how long would it last for the both of them then?

"I love you," Nour said earnestly, as he looked into Grant's eyes. He could see the dark shade in them. He could see how those eyes didn't light up for him. He could see how the enforcer wasn't even bothered by it.

There was a certain emptiness that came with all of this and while it was tempting for Nour to envy Alanor, his best friend, Nour had to remind himself that he had been given the worst of all mates, a man who didn't deserve anything.

"Always, my beautiful butterfly," Grant said as he kissed Nour on the forehead, making the king, who was watching, feel a tug at his heart. This was a sight that was pretty for the eyes and just like his son, the king chose to live in the moment.

The werewolf king, Cassius, chose to believe that Grant loved his son, even if it was for a moment, and for show. Maybe his son would be loved well in the future, and more than Alanor loved his son, but until then. He could simply hope and watch for a distance.

"Dinner is almost… lets head to the dining room and wait for the king," Grant said and Nour began fidgeting, like he was scared of something, and that got his mate worried, genuinely, which was strange, but he chose not to pay heed to it.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Grant asked. 

"I… Is it okay if I use the washrooms here? Or I could just run back to my changers and help myself out. I promise I will be back faster than the speed of lightning," Nour said and the werewolf king almost chuckled out loudly.

"What?" Grant asked, sincerely confused.

"It's alright, I'll just go back to the chambers and then hurry here," Nour said as he began walking toward the exit, almost like he was a little too pressed for this. He was enjoying whatever this was and he wanted to see how cruel Grant could be.

Or maybe he wanted to see what Grant could do, and if Grant would let him walk around the palace on his own. It wasn't such a bad idea though, given that there was nothing for them to talk about and the chemistry between them was being solely replaced by hate.

"No, wait, sweetheart. I'll take you to the washrooms," Grant said and Nour just nodded, muttering a silent thank you. However, before they both could leave, Ferhat interrupted them.

"Grant your mate looks constipated… are you sure he's okay?" Ferhat asked and Grant grit his teeth.

"Of course… I was just showing him the restrooms," Grant said.

"Oh, let me do that. I'm headed there anyway. The king is waiting for you and Delbert too," Ferhat said and Grant looked at Nour as if to ask if he would be okay, and Nour just nodded before they left.

"Took you long enough to come back home, kid."