The next few weeks have been somewhat eventful. Taemin had tracked down the lone vampire and eliminated him. This has allowed some peace to settle over us. As for their investigation into Matt, it's been a bit complicated.

They found out his name is Matt Russo. They weren't happy with finding out his identity, but refused to explain why. I even saw Lexi, who's the softest of them, hiss in disgust at his name. Speaking of which, Matt had a similar response to Lara's name. I attributed it to her being my target, but I guess there's more. I assume they know each other.

As for my supernatural status, they've been pressuring me to reveal what I am. I kept telling them I'm a human, but they refused to believe me. They've been pressuring Lara to worm the answer out of me, but she's been more preoccupied in wooing me.

"It smells nice." I sniffed the rose. We were currently lounging around in a park. Lara insisted on taking me out on a little picnic date. I told her I had no intentions of getting romantic with my targets. She rolled her eyes and proceeded to ask what my favorite foods were.

"I'm glad you like it." She looked up at the clouds.

"You know you shouldn't be going out of your way. I never get romantically involved when on a mission."

"Well, I'm making it my mission to break you." She leaned so close that her lips ghosted over mine. "I do love a good challenge." I felt her cool breath on my lips, making the place between my legs throb. "Looks like I'm not the only one struggling to hold back." She smirked and pulled away.

"There could be eyes everywhere." I hurriedly spoke. She shifted her eyes to me in curiosity. "Can't be kissing my target in broad daylight. People may question my motives." I lied down.

"You're an agent. You must've used your sexuality to seduce others. Would it really be that out of character to be kissing me?" She mused.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes. "I've never slept with any of them." I don't know why I felt the need to tell her that. I saw a sigh of relief escape her. I guess she's always wondered, but never asked. "Not like I'm a virgin, though."

"Really? And here I thought our sexual tension was due to the pressure in your unpopped cherry." She pushed me down so that she hovered over me. "I can't help but wonder what kind of lover you are." She whispered. My heart began to beat against my chest. I knew we were in the park, in the middle of the day, with kids around. But, I was more than ready to have her take me. What is going on with my morals?

"The abstinent one." I somehow found my voice.

"So you're into role playing as a nun?" She raised a brow. "In that case, I'm ready to practice abstinence."

She lowered herself so that her lips were centimeter from mine. I held in a breath since the slightest movement would connect our lips. She hummed in amusement before raising herself off me.

I sat up with a start. This girl just loves toying with me. Then again, I do enjoy our tension. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, enjoying the rays from the sun. Her skin gleamed in the light. She was extraordinarily beautiful.

"How are your parents?" She asked out of the blue.

"They're dead." She opened her eyes at that.

"No they aren't."

"What makes you think I'm not an orphan?"

"You don't have that look of dread and loss in your eyes." She moved her hand absentmindedly.

"And you have a lot of experience dealing with orphans?"

"More than you know." She winked. "So, where is your family located?" She looked at the children rolling down the hills.

"Why would I tell you that? I have to keep some things classified." She gave me a bored look. "Fine, Montana."

"And here I was thinking you'd be some southern hick." I gasped in offense. "You know like marrying your brother kinda thing in Alabama or marrying your grandfather in West Virginia." She began laughing while I hit her.

"Tell them you're coming home." I looked at her in confusion. "We're going to find out about your familial heritage." She laid down and closed her eyes. "Can't wait to meet my future in-laws." She smiled, revealing her fangs.

I groaned in annoyance, knowing that she wasn't going to let this go. I shouldn't be surprised with the amount of pressure her family is putting on her. But at the same time, she's clearly enjoying my aggravated state.

X

It took us an additional two days before we traveled to Montana. Lara had to finish up some work and I had to come up with a believable excuse to Matt. He was apprehensive about the "business meeting Lara had in Montana" since he knew my family resided there. I assured him that we weren't going anywhere close to my parent's house. He seemed reluctant, but approved after I wore him down. Matt always had a soft spot for me and I normally always got my way with him.

I maneuvered the car onto the narrow path, leading up to the ranch house. Lara's eyes startled with interest to see where I grew up. I passed the free range cattle and continued driving to the modest two story house.

"Don't know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn't the scattered manure droppings everywhere." She closed the door.

"I'm seriously regretting not leaving you in Maryland." I walked past her. "Oh, don't tell them that-"

"I'm a blood sucking demon?" She widely smiled. "Noted." She responded when she saw my glare.

I sighed. I really don't know why I'm introducing her to my family. This is like rule number one. Don't introduce your enemy to your personal life. But then again, is she really my enemy? She's done nothing, but protect me. She even trusts me enough to divulge confidential information, including her real nature.

With a shaky hand, I rapped on the front door. I could hear the creak of the floor boars as movement was heard inside. The door opened to reveal my dad. He smiled widely and brought me in for a bone crushing hug. I hugged him back with the same emotion. What can I say... I've missed my parents.

"Patrick? Who's at the d- Mia!" My mother moved to replace my dad with her. She squeezed me tight. "We missed you so much!" She kissed my cheek. "Who's your friend?" My mom looked past me.

"Lara, ma'am." She shook my mother's hand, but she brought her in for a hug.

"We don't do handshakes here." She playfully scolded. "Let's go inside. Dinner is ready." She pulled us to the dining room. "I always make a lot, so there's no issue with wanting seconds." She chuckled. My mother gave everyone plates, but Lara politely declined.

"I'm sorry. I mean no disrespect, but I am one of those pesky vegans."

"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I think I may have-"

"I already ate on the way. Thank you." Lara sat next to me.

"Wow, a vegan." I smirked at her.

"Yes, not into consuming an innocent creature's muscle to enhance my own." She smirked back at me.

"So, how did you two meet?" My father asked us. Lara and I exchanged a look.

"Through work, sir." Well, Lara wasn't lying.

"I'm so proud of my little one." My father beamed with pride. "She was the youngest recruit to be accepted into the CIA."

"Really?" A teasing smile was on Lara's face. "We have a smart one on our hands." She laughed with my parents. "Very humble." She whispered to me.

My parents proceeded to ask her questions about her family and where she grew up. Lara spent the majority of her time speaking about her brother and mother. She barely mentioned anything about her father, which didn't go unnoticed by me. I just chose not to comment. She said she was born in France, but moved around a lot. She claims that she loved America and chose to live here, for now. She claimed that, when she lives in a different country, she subconsciously adopts their way of speaking. Basically, she explained why she lost her accent. According to her, it helps in assimilating better with the citizens.

After dinner, we settled in the living room. My parents went to the two rocking chairs while Lara and I were smushed on the small loveseat. My parents told me that my brother and sister would want to visit me, so I had to stay until I saw them.

Lara had tilted her head to the side, so I told her that I had an older brother and younger sister. My older brother was a police officer and my sister was in med school. She sarcastically asked if my brother was a ranger who rode a horse around. I told her yes with a straight face. Her reaction was priceless.

"Not that we don't want you here, honey." My mom got our attention. "But, you hardly come home and if you do then you call in advance. You just showed up. I guess..." She struggled to find the right words.

"What prompted your unexpected visit?" My dad softly finished for my mother. She grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Ya, this is where things become awkward." I shifted in my seat. "I was hoping to understand my heritage more-"

"Her bloodline." Lara spoke up. My parents tensed at that. "I'm guessing there's more than just basicness."

"Umm... my family's heritage can be traced back to England-" My mother began.

"And I'm Polish and-"

"That's not what we're asking." Lara cut my father off. "Her ancestry as in her species." Well damn. Just rip the bandage right off. Couldn't she be a little more gentle in probing.

"I'm sorry, but-"

"Please." Lara cut my mother off. "We need to know in order to protect her. She's become a target." I widened my eyes at Lara. Target? Since when? From who? What?

"Honey, it's time." My father gripped my mom's hands. My mom had tears brimming her eyes, but nodded.

"You father..." She paused and looked to see my dad nodding. "Your real father..." I gasped.

"What do you mean my real father? He's my real father." I pointed at my dad.

"No, sweetie. He isn't. Your real father's name was Enzo Ricci." Lara stiffened at the name. "He was a werewolf."

"Why do you keep saying 'was'?" I felt tears in my eyes.

"Because he died, sweetie." Now, tears were streaming down my mother's face. "He was the King of the werewolves. I was his mate." My mom sniffled. "There was a war and I was pregnant with you. I was the first of his generation to have a child, so it was important for me to save the future Queen. We ran and ran. He sent me with some trusted guards that pledged their lives to protect us. He couldn't abandon his pack, so he went back to help fight, but-" She was now bawling. "He never came back."

"Who was the war with?"

"Vampires." I turned to Lara who's grip on the armrest was causing the wood to crack. "The evil vampire king hunted us down. Sought to destroy us when he found out the werewolf King had an heir. He ransacked all of Italy to find us, but I had already escaped to America. The werewolves were able to drive the vampires out of Italy, but the damage had already been done." She choked back a sob.

"You said we had guards with us." My mother nodded. "Who are they?"

"Zayn, Jade, and Matt." She laughed at my reaction. "Yes, you're boss Matt is one of your protectors. Why do you think you always get what you want." She was laughing out loud. "He's powerless to deny the Queen."

"Wait!" I stood up and began pacing. "I'm no Queen. I have never had like my nails grow out or fangs or howling- like I'm not in Italy. I'm not ruling, so someone else obviously is and is doing a good job." I tried reasoning with my parents.

"Your uncle, Dante. He's the acting King, but you are the rightful Queen. He would step down willingly to allow you to become the Alpha. Sweetie, this is your destiny." My mother gently stated.

"Screw destiny! I've had enough of destiny controlling my fate! I need some space." I went to my childhood room and slammed the door closed.