Wow miniatures rules question about Graccus and Blessing of Sacrifice

[Mortal]

The character card for Graccus (Human Paladin - Protection) has the following ability:

Blessing of the Sacrifice: When an adjacent ally would be dealt attack damage, the first 2 damage is dealt to Graccus instead.

My question is, is that ability optional? Can I choose not to have that 2 damage dealt to Graccus?

[Lich]

No, it's not optional. Graccus would have to take the damage if adjacent.

Compare to the wording on Wilton Thorne's (Forsaken Warrior - Protection) ability:

Protector: If an adjacent ally would be attacked by an enemy not adjacent to it, Wilton may become a defender instead.

In Wilton's protector ability you have the word "may" so it's optional. But in Graccus' ability it just says that you take the damage, so it is not optional.