Taemin drove us into the town. The buildings were something out of a storybook. It looked like old German houses from a picture book. I was surprised that there wasn't snow everywhere, but then again we were at the base of the mountain. We drive over the bridge of a canal. I looked down to see rose petals floating.

There were flowers lining the doorways of buildings. I saw the streets bustling with people and different people bargaining with vendors. There were restaurants serving people and musicians entertaining their audience.

"Vampires aren't the only ones who live here?" I posed a question.

"No. The town houses vampires and humans alike... and other supernaturals that aren't werewolves." Alec answered from the front.

"This is also a vibrant ski location, so many tourists." Lara explained.

"The vampires down here aren't the vicious, killing kind. They love living amongst different species. The hostile vampires live in the mountain." Alec pointed up. I could barely make out the impressive castle. It was hidden by the clouds in the sky.

"Vampires who can't control their thirsts aren't allowed down here. A peace treaty was crafted, so every vampire has to abide by it." Lara said just as Taemin stopped the car.

Taemin and Alec exited the car. Taemin opened my door while Alec opened Lara's. Lara put a gentle hand on my lower back and guided me through the vibrant streets.

We stopped at different food stalls, so I could try the local cuisine. We also watched the buskers do acrobatic type dancing and play their instruments. Every so often, we'd pass what I assume to be vampires. Those vampires would stop and bow to Alec and Lara. I inquired about it, but they said it was just a usual greeting people gave them. I thought it was weird that they only did it to them and no one else, but I held back my question.

I guided them to a flower stall. I sniffed the aromatic scents the flowers emitted. They were so beautiful. Lara was about to ask me something, but some people bowed to her. They then began to speak to her and Alec. Taemin and I patiently stood behind them, but it didn't seem like the conversation would be wrapping up anytime soon.

I took the time to observe Taemin. He was rigid as he stood. I don't think this guy ever relaxed. He was always on high alert. He looked at me from the corner of his eye.

"Tae." He turned as I called him. I totally didn't mean to call him by his nickname. It's just that I'm so used to the rest of them calling him that.

"Yes." His attention shifted to me.

"How'd you wind up guarding Alec?" I saw a war going on in his mind. Perhaps, I shouldn't have asked. "Sorry. You don't-"

"I was born in a town in modern day North Korea." He began.

Taemin proceeded to tell me how the town he's from was raided by rogue vampires. They killed the entire town and kidnapped the children to rape and exploit them. The raiders left and it was by the grace of God he survived.

Reinforcements had been sent to fend off the invaders, but they were too late. Everyone had died. Or, so they thought. They could hear a faint heartbeat in a dead woman. They realized the woman had died pregnant, so they had to cut him out of his mother. He was 3 months premature. He had a high probability of dying, but he miraculously survived.

His rescuers named him Taemin since it meant superior. He was superior over the invaders since he survived their onslaught. He was raised by his adopted father who was a royal guard. The moment Taemin could walk, he was fighting.

He was trained to be greater than his adopted dad. Taemin was extremely gifted with weapons and combat. They claimed he had a fighting spirit. Because he was so good, he was requested to join the royal guard.

He was the best assassin and sent on many quests where he was always victorious. Alec took notice of him and wanted him to be his guard. Taemin was someone he thought could push him to be a better fighter. He was also impressed by Taemin's moral code. He refused to harm women and children, while other assassins killed everyone alike.

Alec had also helped Taemin track down the group of rogues. Together, they slaughtered the people who took his family from him. He said it was unusual for a master to engage in a mission like that. That was the moment Alec told him that he was not the master and Taemin was not his subordinate. In Alec's eyes, Taemin was his equal. And that was the day they became friends.

"Wow." I breathed out. "Seems like everyone has a depressing backstory."

"Being alive for this long doesn't permit many to have wonderful memories."

"Do you have a mate, Tae?" He just smirked at me, but didn't answer. "Oh, come on. You have to tell me. Your face practically gives it away."

"Yes." He finally answered.

"Who is it? Is she pretty?"

"My mate and I aren't together since somethings are frowned upon under the King's leadership." My eyebrows knit together in confusion before it dawned on me the sex of his mate.

"Really? But, I thought the world was more accepting." I frowned because what did that mean for Lara and I. Could we publicly be together?

"Yes, the world is more progressive, but the leadership is still old and conservative. With vampires, you're always stuck in the olden ways."

"Got you." I hummed. "Does Alec have a mate?" I looked at Alec passionately speaking with a citizen.

"You'll have to ask him." He smirked.

I was about to tell him to stop being so cryptic, but the siblings joined us again. We continued exploring the different shops in the town. We went to a restaurant to eat lunch. Everyone ordered food except Lara. She just ordered a drink. Alec ended up ordering a dessert, but asked for it to be packaged in a box and brought with the check.

After we finished eating, we went back to the car. Taemin drove us in a different direction from the way we came. I looked at the different buildings we past before Alec's voice brought my attention to him.

"You asked if I had a mate." He stated.

I looked at him and nodded. He just hummed and stared straight ahead. So, is his going to expand or was he just making a statement. Alec is so weird sometimes. I looked to Lara who was rolling her eyes in amusement at her brother's behavior.

Taemin drove us out of the town. We drove through the mountain pass. I began to see a tiny speck of a house in the distance. The house got bigger the closer we got to it. I then realized it wasn't a tiny house, but a large estate. Taemin stopped in front, the same time a butler stood outside. The butler opened our car doors and assisted Lara and I out.

Alec walked ahead of us. This time, Lara took my hand in hers. I was surprised she was showing affection in public. I glanced back at the old butler to see a kind smile on his face. He smelled human, which made me even more confused. We walked inside the lavish house that smelled of warm vanilla.

"Alec!" I turned to see a girl with red braids running down the steps and jumping into Alec's arms.

He easily caught and kissed her. She smiled widely at him while he had a tiny smile on his face. She began to pepper his face with kisses, causing him to actually laugh. This was the first time I've ever seen a real smile on that man's face.

He placed her down. She hugged Lara and Taemin and then stopped at me. She looked at my hands entwined with Lara's. Her eyes softened and her smile widened even more. She gave me a hug and called me her sister in law. She then grabbed the cake from Alec and began eating it.

If you're wondering about the mysterious girl, then wonder no more. Her name is Sophie and she's Alec's mate. She's absolutely amazing and so sweet and kind. She gave me a house tour and offered me refreshments. Sophie inquired about my heritage since I had a hybrid scented blood. Without hesitation, Lara and Alec told her I was half wolf. Her breath hitched, not in disgust but for fear of my safety. They explained the plan and how we were still waiting on the werewolf guard to send the all clear signal.

She asked if their father knew and they said no. She was relieved to hear he was out on a mission, but was antsy that I wrap up my stay at the house. She was petrified for my safety. Her family had ended up coming home and greeting us. They were all as lovely as her. Everyone was fascinated by my blood and even more curious when they found out I was Lara's mate. They asked the same question about their father knowing. For some reason, everyone was terrified of their father.

Her family offered for me to stay with them since that would be safer for me, but Lara didn't want to part from me. Alec then said he couldn't justify the additional guards that would be required to protect me. It would raise suspicions and he doesn't want anyone meddling into this.

He was already worried about the rogues attacking innocent vampires. He didn't need the rogues attacking his or Lara's mate. Sophie and her family relented, but said the offer was always open.

We spent the rest of the evening talking about various stuff. Sophie's family gained their wealth from owning many wine vineyards throughout France. She had met Alec through an arranged marriage meeting. It just so happened that they were mates and everything worked out. She was latched onto his arm the entire time we stayed.

It was sad when we had to leave since she didn't want him to go. Taemin offered to drop us off and then come back for Alec. Before Alec could answer, Sophie accepted Taemin's offer. We told everyone goodbye and climbed into the car, ready to start the journey back to the place that elicited fear in so many people.