I finished stacking the files for Taylor. The past week I've been ineffective to the department. As far as they knew, I was following a potential lead, when in actuality I kinda gave up on the whole investigating Lara and her family's company. Jelena has been irate over the lack of progress, especially since Spencer has claimed to have a lead.

I had looked at Zayn who rolled his eyes. Spencer was just bluffing. She didn't have any lead, but wanted to get in Jelena's head. And to be honest, she was succeeding. Spencer left with a pep in her step at getting under Jelena's skin.

Jelena walked towards us and began ranting about Spencer. We bobbed our heads along so that she'd think we were listening. I made eye contact with Harry and Kendall. Harry made the crazy sign and Jelena snapped at him. He meekly whimpered when she began shouting in his face. Oooookay, I decided to take a break.

I began walking to the front, but collided with someone. Not just someone, someone with an irresistible scent. I smiled at Lara who was carrying brownies. I smiled and took the pan from her and brought it to my desk. Thankfully, sweet treats were the cure for Jelena's angry state. She took nearly half the tray and stalked to her desk.

"Life saver." Taylor whispered to me and walked out the room.

Kendall was busy trying to comfort Harry, so I took Lara's hand and walked out the door. I immediately dropped her hand once I realized there could be unwanted eyes. I saw a brief look of disappointment flash across her face.

I pushed open the door of a local cafe and guided her to a booth in the back. She wasted no time in scooting next to me. I ordered a salad and lemonade while Lara asked for a sex on the beach. I eyed her as she smirked at me.

"How are you today, gorgeous?" She smiled.

"Work was a little chaotic this morning. Spencer was taunting Jelena about having compounding evidence against your company. One look from Zayn told me she was bluffing. Unfortunately, Jelena doesn't know that and took her anger out on Harry." I took a bite of my salad.

"What do you need to make it look like you're doing your job?" She took a sip of her drink.

"Well, I'm supposed to be looking for tax evasion or something like that." I shrugged, not really remembering what I was supposed to be doing.

"How about a tax discrepancy from five years ago?" I glanced up at her. "Maybe something as simple as over appreciating some assets in order to acquire a loan, but then under appreciating our assets for tax purposes." She sipped some more. "What do you think?"

"That's perfect!" I beamed. "But, won't that put you in legal jeopardy?"

"Nothing an average lawyer can't sort out." She dismissed my concerns.

"What have you been up to?"

"Work, familial matters, and other issues." She responded.

"Familial matters?" I was curious about the last thing, but I thought that was best left for another day.

"Yes, they had quite the response to your heritage." Right, I forgot that I had her tell them.

"A positive response?" She just smirked at my question. "Definitely, the opposite then. What did they say?"

"Nothing that needs to be repeated. Anyways..." She changed the subject. "How has your training been going?"

"Really well! I can transform at will and have beaten Zayn's ass in a fight. Jade's a bit tougher to beat, but I can still hold my own. As for Matt..." I gulped. "His muscles are intimidating as is his 8 foot tall black wolf." I shuddered. "Definitely didn't want to be sparring with him."

"I think you're much stronger than you believe. And if you do struggle, it's because you're just learning. Nothing to fret about." She stated.

We went back to my apartment to hang out. We talked and joked around and got to know each other better. I knew I was falling for her, but now I feel like I'm hopelessly in love with her. The way she flipped her head back to laugh, that dazzling smile, and don't get me started on her laugh. It was the most beautiful sound I've ever heard.

At some point, Lara got a message from her brother. She groaned at having to leave me. She spent an extra 5 minutes making out with me before deciding she really had to go. I walked her to the door and kissed her deeply before sending her off. I closed the door and looked down to smile. God, that girl had my heart.

I took two steps away from the door when I heard knocking. Huh, I wonder if Lara forgot something. I opened the door, prepared to snake my arms around my girl's neck. Instead, I was met with a group of burly men. The leader kicked me in the chest, sending me flying backwards.

I scrambled up as they shut the door and began advancing on me. I gritted my teeth and began fighting the men. These men were moving with abnormal speed, obviously supernaturals. I realized they were vampires when one tried to bite me, but I uppercutted him. One of them grabbed me from behind. I kicked the one in front of me in the face. He fell through the wall.

I concentrated on enlarging my fangs and then harshly bit down on the man's arm. He cried out in pain and released his hold on me. Blood streamed down his severed artery. Didn't realize vampires had blood until now. Another one swung at me, but I ducked under him and sent him flying into the vases. I got into a defensive stance in preparation of an attack.

The five men stood up and made a move to attack me, but they didn't get to take a step. A wind blew past me and the next thing I knew, there were severed heads, missing hearts, and a guy who had Lara's mouth attached to his throat. She ripped her fangs out, causing the artery in his neck to squirt blood all over my walls.

"I need to take you to safety." She didn't wait for my response. Lara sped over to me, picked me up, and then whizzed her way to the country house.

"Woah!" I stumbled when Lara put me down. I'm still not used to the whole fast running thing.

Lara grabbed my hand and led me through the living room and into the study. Hailey and Lexi, who were in the living room, shared a confused look before following us to the study. Alena looked up from her desk at the unexpected arrival. She moved the paperwork aside to focus on us. I saw Taemin close the book he was reading to give us his attention. Even Alec was looking at us, waiting for Lara to speak.

"She was attacked by rogues. They know about her." Lara remorsefully looked at me.

"You sure it's not the resistance?" Alec asked.

"No. They stalked her and waited for her to be alone and vulnerable. What they didn't expect was to face a kickass fighter." She smirked.

"Who sent them?" Hailey was agitated.

"I don't know. Someone who wants to use her as leverage against us." Lena sighed. "Think of it as taking a family member hostage and using her to get us to do their bidding."

"They overestimate our father's emotional capabilities. He wouldn't care if his own flesh and blood were carved out on the streets of Versailles." Alec spat.

"What are rogues?" I spoke up.

"Rogues are part of the rebel group who broke off because they desire more radical change. They're anarchist and a psychotic cabal." Alec answered. "This clearly has to do with the war, mother." He turned to her. "This is getting out of hand. The attacks against that girl have exponentially increased." I turned to Lara who meekly nodded. How come this is the first time I'm hearing about it?! "We've even stooped to working with the lycan guards to ensure her safety." Wait! Even my friends know about this? "We need to move her."

"Where?" Hailey entered the conversation. "Where can we move her that's safe? That no one would try invade? No one would even dare have that thought cross their minds?" She pushed Alec to think.

"Le Palais de La Mort." Every head snapped to Taemin. "No one would dare even think about walking into that place."

"No!" Alec and Lara shouted.

"Taemin, you must have a better suggestion. That place... with her." Alena was bewildered as to where an idea as crazy as his would come from. "He'll not hesitate to kill a wolf and then us for the disrespect."

"It'll be no different from the wolf consorts." He took a step forward. "We cannot bring her to Italy and present her as the heir at the moment. They will think we are playing a trick."

"She'll die there." Lexi stated.

"We'll be protecting her the entire time. And it's only temporary." Taemin began. "She will stay there until her guards can convince the people that their Queen lives. Then, we'll take her to them."

"I do not trust my husband being there." Lena stood up. "The moment he inhales her scent, he'll be hooked and want to drain her dry." Lexi stated. "Her blood is hard to resist as it is. Imagine it wafting through the halls of weak vampires who can't tame their thirst."

"She'll be her property." Taemin pointed to Lara. "The guards wouldn't dare touch the girl if they wish to live."

"What about him?" Lexi asked.

"My informant said he's away on a mission. He left yesterday. The duration of the mission is unknown, but hopefully the guards will be able to convince the wolves before he returns." Taemin looked at all of us. "This is our only shot. We don't have an option." He stressed.

"I agree." Hailey joined his side.

"I disagree." Lexi stated.

"As do I." Alec said.

"I am for it, Lara." Her mother said.

"Against." She said without hesitation.

"Seems we are at a draw. We'll settle this with you." Lena turned to me. "What do you say?" I saw the desperation in Lara's eyes. She was begging me to refuse, but I had no choice. None of us did if we were being honest. I wasn't sure who this he was, but I knew he terrified Lara. I took a deep breath and avoided Lara's eyes as I answered her mother.

"Yes."