The entire room became absolutely silent. No one tried to speak out on this topic. Irma's father simply sat there, nodding in agreement. She remained silent for the rest of the conversation. Retrieving my keys off the table, I placed them into my pocket with caution. I wondered if I had gone a bit too far when I looked back at Irma, who was still remarkably quiet. I drank some water from a cup. Then I noticed Auntie staring at me intently. A drop of sweat was trickling down my brow. I averted contact, continue sipping the water I'd poured for myself. No one dares to annoy Auntie.

The last person to be admitted to the hospital was just an ordinary guy, but he was afraid of her terrifying stare. In an attempt to run away from Auntie, he ended up falling down the stairs. All because he attempted to take her and Irma's bags while they were in the city years ago. He was left with a broken leg and other broken bones.

“How about you, dear?”

When I turned around, Auntie was placing food in a basket, wrapping it with crimson linen, and handing it to Irma.

“In the city, she's moving closer to you. Will you continue to protect her for us?”

I picked up my shoulder bag from the floor and set it on the table, nearly knocking over my uncle's coffee on his lap. I gave a comforting grin to auntie. What a ridiculous question to ask me. “Auntie, leave it to me. I'll put her life ahead of mine in order to protect this pup from anyone and anything. She did the same for me many years ago. I owe her my life, which I will willingly offer up for her if needed. If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't be here now.”

(This isn't because I'm afraid of what you'll do if I say no.)

If it hadn't been for uncle grabbing her from the waist with one arm, she would have fallen from one of Irma's moving boxes.

(I'm not going to lie, this uncle impresses me sometimes.)

Auntie must really be moved by my words. For shoving Irma aside and trying to run towards me. Auntie gripped both of my hands and brought her face closer to mine, which made me a bit wary.

“Please, Loki. If Irma does not choose to marry one of the other wolves, will you take my daughter's hand and become her mate?” I was at a loss for words because Irma is more like a sister and friend to me. I had never truly seen her in that way before. I turned to stare at uncle, stunned. He spewed out his coffee all over himself and the newspaper, which horrified him too.

“Me? Get married to an alpha wolf.” I nervously chuckled. No. Impossible. That can't happen. I'm not a werewolf. That sweat from earlier has now turned into a downpour. I held my cup as gently as I could, but my hands couldn't stop trembling. If I say yes, Uncle might murder me, and Auntie can kill me if I say no to her.

“It seems, you didn't tell Uncle about it yet, did you? So early in the morning, he's already spewing his coffee. If the vampires hear you, they will be outraged.” I crossed my arms and sipped my water again. We were all standing in the silent room. I avoid making eye contact with everyone I know uncle won't hurt me, but his death glare has almost as much intensity as auntie's, and I'd rather avoid both of the death glares.

Irma marched past her distressed mother, shaking the frenzied Loki. Taking Loki's shoulder bag from the table and forcing him out the door.

“Wait a minute! I'm hungry too. Irma! You big bully, I'll never marry an alpha who won't let their weak spouse enjoy a meal with their mother and father-in-law.” Auntie burst into weeping joy as she hugged her husband after hearing Loki's comments. Uncle appeared bewildered. (He, too, is scared to say no to Auntie about certain things. One of them is this. His own child.)