"Wait, will it hurt?" I asked apprehensively.
"I mean you're transforming into a different animal. It's a bone breaking process, literally," Mason replied, lifting his head up higher.
"Okay, okay", I nodded, gnawing my lips.
"Lucy, why are you doing this?" Mason asked, sitting up straight. My eyes stared at his bare chest, taking in its soft rise and fall. Sitting up myself, I scooted back against the head board. I attempted to pull the covers over my own naked chest but Mason growled at me and pulled the covers back down.
"You know why," I replied, rolling my eyes at my pervert of a mate.
"For your brother but have you actually talked to him about this? Do you even know if he wants to be Alpha or not?" Mason questioned me.
"I don't need to ask him. It isn't his decision. I made a promise to myself that I'd always take care of him and never put him in harm's way. Letting him be Alpha is breaking that promise," I explained stubbornly.
"Lucy I understand-" Mason started.
"No you don't. You're only responsible for yourself, no one else. I still need to protect my brother," I interrupted.
"I'm responsible for a whole pack of people," Mason replied.
"It's not the same," I said. Mason sighed heavily, lifting his hands up to rub his temples as if I was causing him a headache. I opened my mouth to continue but a knock sounded on the door.
"One sec," I shouted, eyes widening. Both Mason and I were naked in my bed in my grandparent's house. If it was Nana behind the door and she found out, she'd have my head. Rolling off the bed, I quickly went in search for my clothes.
"Mason, where the hell are my clothes?" I whisper shouted at him. He lay back on the bed watching me with amusement on face. His reply was a short shrug. Sighing in annoyance, I got on my knees and looked under the bed but they weren't there. Another knock came to the door.
"Hold on," I snapped loudly. I was beginning to panic now. I couldn't find my clothes and whoever was behind the door was minutes away from coming in. Mason seemed unperturbed which served to piss me off even more.
"Mason, please," I pleaded, knowing he knew where my things were.
"Here," He sighed dramatically, lifting up the sheets and holding my clothes out to me. Quickly, I slipped on my underwear, sweats, and t-shirts, choosing to forgo a bra. I ran my fingers through my hair as I headed to the door. Thankfully, it was only my brother.
"Hey," I greeted him, positioning myself in a way that AJ couldn't see behind me where Mason now stood in the middle of the room in his naked glory.
"Can we talk?" AJ asked me.
"Yeah," I nodded, frowning at the serious look in his face. Turning my head slightly, I saw Mason had slipped on some jeans so I was able to open the door wide enough to slip out.
"What's up?" I asked curiously, closing the door.
"It's about the whole pack and Alpha thing," AJ answered before leaning against the wall opposite of me.
"What about it?" I asked.
"I told Artemis that I'd take the title. I'm leaving with him tomorrow," AJ spilled out.
"What?" I gasped loudly.
"Lucy, I get you want to protect me ever since mom and dad died but I'm old enough to take care of myself. I want to do this. I don't want you to change or become something you're not just for me. I know you'll regret it. I don't mind being Alpha of a pack. It sounds pretty cool," AJ explained to me.
"AJ no, you can't do this. I can't lose you," I exclaimed.
"What if I lose you?" AJ countered.
"AJ, please don't," I pleaded softly.
"It's my decision and I made it. I'll be fine. You can come visit me in a few weeks after I get settled in," AJ told me finally. I felt my eyes sting as they began to water. My body began shaking slightly so I slid down the wall to sit down. This couldn't be happening.
"Lucy," I heard AJ in front of me but I couldn't focus on him.
Closing my eyes, I tried to keep myself calm. My mind raced as I thought of all the horrible things that could happen to AJ. I couldn't lose him. Austin had just come back and we were all together again. I couldn't lose AJ now. Snapping back to reality, I stood up quickly. I turned around and opened the bedroom door before closing and locking it behind me. Mason sat on the bed, watching me carefully.
"You're going to turn me now," I told him firmly.
"Lucy-" He began.
"Don't start with me. Do it now," I snapped.
"Lucy," AJ called through the door. I ignored him and walked closer to Mason.
"Mason, don't do it," AJ yelled, pounding against the door.
"Mason," I said louder, my eyes pleading with them.
"Think about this Lucy,"Mason said.
"I did. I promise I won't regret it," I reassured him, stopping between his legs. Reaching up, he slid an arm around my waist and pulled me to sit on his lap.
"Promise me this is what you want," Mason told me.
"I promise. It will be worth it," I stated, nodding quickly.
"I'm only doing this because I don't want you hating me," Mason said. I bit my lip hard as tears welled up in my eyes. I could never hate him but I needed him to think it was a possibility.
"And I know you'd get someone else to do it," He added, laughing slightly.
"I love you," I told him, running a hand across his cheek.
"I swear, it's like we're saying good-bye or something," Mason chuckled lightly. I nodded in understanding.
"Lucy," AJ yelled again, pounding the door again.
"Do it quickly," I rushed, my heart beating in anticipation. Mason lifted up his head and my eyes widened and I swallowed loudly as his teeth began to elongate and sharpen. His eyes darkened and leaning forward, Mason placed his head near my neck.
"Wait, I feel like that will hurt more," I stopped him, moving away.
"Then where?" he asked, frowning. I lifted my right arm up to his mouth. He looked at me for a quick second before gripping it tightly.
"This will hurt," He told me. I nodded, giving him the go ahead. I felt his warm tongue trail a circle around my arm, causing shivers to run down my spine. Just as he opened his mouth and I felt the tips of his fangs against my skin, the door was thrown open, breaking off its hinges and smashing into the wall. AJ stood at the doorway, eyes blazing, huffing and puffing angrily. The whole commotion scared the hell out of me, causing me to jump in fright. In the process, my arm accidentally moved up and suddenly four points pierced into my skin. I screamed.
