The room was silent but the eyes and unspoken opinions were loud and clear. I knew my proposition was outrageous but I felt as if I needed to do it. I needed to give AJ one last chance at his freedom.
"Lucy, don't do this," AJ stood up, pleading with me. I chose to ignored him, focusing my attention on the man that would give me the answer I was looking for.
"Lucy, we need to talk," Mason tried to get my attention but I refused. My gaze never strayed from him, and neither did his from me.
"You want to turn?" He questioned me finally. I nodded slowly, hesitation taking me for a moment.
"Do you understand what that entails?" He asked me, curiously.
"That's none of your concern. What I need to know is whether we have an agreement or not," I responded curtly.
"Lucy," Mason called me again, wrapping a warm hand around my arm. Shrugging him off, I moved away. Austin walked through the door in that moment but no one paid him any mind. It seemed like an eternity for him to finally reply, "Okay, that will work."
I relaxed only a bit, happy that I had accomplished something good. Now the next step: convincing Mason to actually turn me. Turning to my very worried and confused mate, I raised an eyebrow at him in question.
"You can't possibly ask me to do that," He stated, frowning.
"Either you do it... or I'll find someone else that will," I stressed slowly.
"Lucille," Grandfather's deep voice called me through the silent room. I turned towards him, eyeing his form as he stood up to his full height. He was almost intimidating.
"Yes," I answered simply, waiting.
"Have you thought about this?" He questioned seriously.
"If I hadn't, then I wouldn't have proposed it," I snapped in annoyance.
"Lucy," Nana warned me softly.
"Do you even understand the gravity of this?" Grandfather asked me.
"Save it. I wouldn't want you to strain yourself. You haven't cared for the past 10 years, why now?" I bit rather rudely. His face grimaced slightly but he kept at it.
"You know I love you with all my being but this has nothing to do with the past. This has to do with the future and the dangerous path you're heading down," He exclaimed calmly.
"That's a decision I'll make for myself," I said almost immediately. Thankfully, he dropped it after that. Turning on his heel, he left the room. Nana gave me an odd look before rushing after him.
"Lucy, we need to talk. Somewhere private," Mason told me. My eyes flickered between Scar who looked like she had swallowed a tennis ball and AJ who looked like he was ready to puke one out. I could feel Austin standing behind me, eyes watching curiously.
"There's nothing to talk about. I just need to know your answer," I turned to Mason finally.
"Lucy, do not ask me to do this," He stressed, clenching his teeth tightly.
"Fine, I won't," I replied simply.
I didn't expect him grabbing my arm tightly before pulling me behind him and out the front door. As soon as he turned around, I stepped away from him. I didn't want him influencing my decision in anyway. I still couldn't grasp the whole "mates" thing or what we could and couldn't do. But I wouldn't be surpised if he could influence my thoughts.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He asked me, anger contorting his face.
"Protecting my family," I responded, glaring at him.
"You're volunteering for something you have no idea how to handle," Mason shot at me.
"I can learn. That's not my main concern anyways. I made a promise to myself that nothing, nothing in this world would ever harm AJ," I exclaimed.
"AJ will be fine," Mason tried to reassure me.
"But it's too dangerous for me," I spat sarcastically.
"You're not doing it. I forbid you," Mason declared. I couldn't help the burst of laughter that escaped my throat. He didn't say anything, just watched me laugh myself to oblivion. That was probably the most ridiculous demand I had ever heard. Eventully I stopped considering if I laughed any harder and I'd end up crying.
"You actually think you have a say in this?" I gasped, after calming down.
"Since I'm the only person who can do it, yes," He stated proudly.
"How do you figure? I'm sure I can ask Collin or someone to do it for me," I said heatedly.
"You will do no such thing. Try it and I'll tie you up, and lock you in a room for as long as it takes for your brother to take the title," Mason growled, advancing on me.
I badly wanted to smack the hell out of him. He was being an ass. But could I blame him, he didn't understand.
"I'll be stronger by then," I replied childishly.
"Lucile, I swear..." He growled roughly.
"What?" I snapped.
"Damn it," He growled again.
Turning away from me, I watched his chest heave up and down as he attempted to calm down. I felt guilty for riling him up but there were no other options. Slowly, I reached for him and slid my hand on his shoulder. Quickly, he turned and wrapped me into his arms. I sighed heavily, as he inhaled my scent. I hated getting mad, it really took a toll on me. Which is why I didn't do it often.
"Lucy, don't do this," Mason pleaded softly.
"I have no choice," I whispered, voice cracking. We stood still, wrapped in each others embrace quietly. We were both contemplating on what the next step was but as I suspected, there was nothing else. Finally, stepping away just enough to look me in the eye, Mason gave in, "I'll do it."
"You'll do what?" I asked specifically.
"I'll turn you," He declared.
