“Are you stupid or something?” Everyone looked about, shocked, at the source of the noise.

Loki opened a little portal with his spell. He took a mug from inside, handing it to Irma's father. He was still dying from that dreadful cough. Irma raised her eyes to Loki. He was soothing her father as he stood behind him. She was well aware that he was listening to everything they said.

One of the characteristics that distinguish Loki as a Loki is his tendency for laughing at the darkest of circumstances, especially his own. When he holds his laughing in, his face gets slightly reddish, which is a dead giveaway.

She could see right away that he was siding with her father on this issue. “Irma, living with your soon-to-be-mate isn't just about hunting or being the most powerful leader.” Loki snatched a chair and sat down, munching on grapes from the table's center. “Young ladies have been going missing for months. Some of them didn't even appear to be human.

Have you ever considered what happens to their relatives, at least once? They must carry on as if nothing has occurred. They are unable to file a missing person report or contact the authorities. They woke up one morning and saw their mother or daughter dead on the doorsteps. Having to pretend as if nothing happened.”

Loki leaned in close and repositioned his arms and chest on the table. “They had no choice but to flee the city for a while. They had to lie to their kids' teachers, employers, and friends. They didn’t feel safe since their leader couldn’t protect them and their family. Some of them even got exiled from their pact. They feel restrained that there was a killer out in the city that knew what they were. That it may come after them or, worse, send someone who's an expert at catching us.”

“That’s right, sweetie,” Elena interjected herself from Loki's lecture to her stubborn daughter. He was the only one she could think of who could make Irma see sense. “Last year was tough enough on its own. Someone posted police data on the internet. They had images of freshly or decomposing bodies of non-human women stored away for who knows how long. Everyone tried locating their relatives, but they immediately went into hiding.”

“Irma, think about the risk you're putting your family in if you reject.” Irma pleaded with her mother for assistance in escaping her father's and Loki's priority. Her mother, on the other hand, simply nodded. “My pup. The worst part is that sometimes the victim’s friends will see them dead in their real form. Regardless, you're moving out, so having someone to guard you is a good idea. Give us the gift of not having to worry about you; it's the finest alternative we have for you.”

Irma gently slugged her mother, her head drooping in defeat. She didn't have a choice in the issue. Her parents easily dissolve in his fingertips once that snugged demon speaks.

“Irma. Winston and uncle will not be in town to defend you when you need them the most. You may be the wolf pack's future leader. You're tough, but so were some of the ladies who died. It's for your safety as well as your pact. You're putting everyone in danger if you die. “This includes my side.” Consider this man. Please.”