After that shocking statement, Griffin merely smiled and cuddled Nathan closer.
[He must really like you if he's already talking about pups.]
Nathan's blush deepened when he heard Axel's statement. He glanced up at the dragon who had his face buried in Nathan's hair. "Do I even want to know how we'd have pups?" he questioned.
[Probably not. Not that I know how you would either.]
Nathan and Griffin spent the rest of the evening cuddled together, reading and watching the fire.
Unknown to neither Nathan nor Axel, different species weren't able to have children together, even when they were destined mates. Those pairs relied on the Moon Goddess to grant them children.
**********
Several Days Later
Nathan was getting ready to go for an evening run when Griffin stopped him.
"How long do you think you'll be gone?"
Nathan paused by the half open door. "Mmm. I'm not sure, maybe an hour?"
Griffin nodded. "Be safe."
Nathan gave him a confused look before nodding back and heading out.
As the door closed, Kael said, [Is it tonight?]
"Yeah," Griffin replied as he crossed to the window to watch the small wolf head into the woods. "Tonight I'm asking if we can mark each other and complete the bond.
Griffin turned back to the room after the wolf was no longer in view. He spent the next hour setting up the bedroom in what he hoped was a romantic setting. Lit candles and rose petals everywhere, light crystals dimmed and a chilled bottle of wine he'd secretly gotten in an ice bucket by their chairs.
He'd just finished lighting the last candle when he heard the cabin door opening.
"Griff?" Nathan called out.
Griffin walked out of the bedroom, a smile on his face. "Hey, Nate. How was your run?"
"Good," Nathan said, beaming. "I saw a couple fawns by the lake. They were so cute."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I have a surprise for you."
Nathan looked shocked. "A surprise? What is it?"
Griffin laughed. "Follow me."
He wrapped his arm around Nathan, leading him into the bedroom. A small gasp made him puff up with pride.
"Griff…" Nathan whispered as he slowly walked into the room, examining everything. "It's beautiful."
Griffin walked up to him, gently pulling him into a tight hug. "Glad you like it," he said in the same soft tone.
"But… Why? Why'd you go to the trouble of setting all this up?"
Griffin's grip tightened briefly before he pulled Nathan toward their chairs and sitting down, pulling the small wolf into his lap.
"There's no easy way to ask this, so I'm just going to say it. Will you let me mark you? Will you be my mate?"
Nathan didn't say anything, just staring at him. As he watched, Griffin saw Nathan's eyes slowly water. Tears silently trekking down his face.
Griffin panicked at Nathan's tears, thinking he'd pushed too hard too soon. "Nate? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Nathan immediately shook his head. "I'm not. These are happy tears." He lowered his head, wiping his face, trying to stop the tears. "I honestly thought you'd forgotten. You never mentioned it after that first night."
"Oh, sweetness." Griffin rubbed his back, trying to soothe him. "I would never forget about you, no matter what. I was trying to give you space and come to terms with our bond."
Nathan buried his face in Griffin's chest.