Layla's cry brought a crowd, mostly security but the threat was long gone. I quickly made my way to the window and peered into the dark night, half expecting the maniac to launch at me with his poisoned blade, but all I met was the cimmerian darkness that stretched out beyond the range of the street lights.

“By the love of the goddess! What happened here?!” I heard the voice thundered behind me and I turned swiftly to see Alpha Logan just making his way into the room.

He stopped when he took note of the blood on my body and probably my hair, which I knew was messy.

“Are you hurt?” He asked, quickly making his way to my side. “You.. you're bleeding.”

“It's not my blood.” I replied calmly. “You should have seen the other guy.” I added.

“Guy? What guy?” Logan asked in confusion.

I noticed Marcus at the door with his new mate standing right beside him. Both of them peered within the room like vultures, unmoving, simply staring and accessing the scene as if waiting to descend once the wounded animal breathed its last. Were they somehow connected to this? I shuddered at the mere thought of it.

“Naomi?” Alpha Logan called, capturing my attention once more. “Who attacked you?” He asked.

“I don't know him.” I answered honestly. “He was a rogue by the looks of it. You know, all dirty and all. He left immediately he saw Layla.”

Logan looked pale and taken aback by my explanation. I knew that without the evidence screaming all around us, they might have found it difficult to believe what I was saying. Who would believe that a rogue would break into a social gathering of Alphas and Betas? Unless… Well, that was a dangerous thought, but even as the thought occurred to me, I couldn't help but ponder upon it.

I registered Logan's orders to the security team only on my subconscious as I slowly walked out of the room and almost into my brother Theo who had come sprinting into the room in alarm.

“Whoah…. Easy there, birthday boy.” I teased, managing a small smile even though my mind and brain were in disarray.

Theo's eyes bulged as he regarded my dress, taking note of the blood and all.

“What happened?” He asked, at the same time inspecting my body for any open wounds. “They said someone screamed. They said a lady was attacked.”

“I was attacked.” I confirmed and at the same time, slapped away his hands which at the moment were holding examining my face as if I was a patient suffering from a concussion. “I'm okay Theo, Geez..”

“I'm sorry.” He mumbled the words. “Who attacked you?!”

“A rogue, I guess.” I replied plainly.

The look of shock on Theo's face immediately gave way to disbelief as he eyed me closely as if he wasn't particularly sure that I was okay.

“A rogue?” He asked. “How the hell did a rogue get in?!”

“Beats me.” I sighed.

“The security all around this place was tight, way too tight for a rogue to sneak in!”

“Tell that to the murderous and dirty-looking rascal wielding a 12-inch poisoned blade I met earlier.” I shrugged. “Anyways, that was enough fun for one night. I'd like to head back home now.” I said and moved to walk past him.

“Wait.. hold on.” Theo quickly moved into my path. “Alone? You want to go back home alone?”

“Why not?” I frowned.

“Why not? You were nearly killed a while ago!” He argued.

I wasn't nearly killed, I nearly killed him but suit yourself Theo. I thought the words to myself without opening up verbally.

“I'll have Logan drive you back home.” He declared.

“What?” His words caught me off guard and I didn't quite believe that I heard him correctly.

“It's not safe for you to make the return journey alone.” He added, at the same time calling out to Logan.

“Wait, Theo..” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to another corner of the hallway.

“Let us be rational here.” I spoke, casting glances here and there as if I feared someone was eavesdropping. “I was just attacked, that's right, but do you think it'll be wise to send me back home in the company of a stranger?”

“Logan is not a stranger.” Theo replied.

I raised my brows questionably.

“Okay to you he might be a stranger but to me, he isn't.” He quickly countered. “I've known the man for years, Naomi. I trust him.”

I still wasn't convinced though and Theo knew I wasn't, so he quickly spoke again.

“I know you don't trust him, you hardly trust anybody. But please trust me, Naomi. Plus, Layla would be riding with you too.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes. “Now I have a bodyguard and a babysitter. I feel safe already. This must be how princesses feel.” I said sarcastically.

***

Moments later, we were in Logan's car driving back to my parent's house. I had insisted on sitting at the back despite his efforts to have me in the front seat beside him. Luckily, Layla immediately called shotgun, and that was the end of that.

The drive was quiet at first with Logan casting occasional glances at me through his rearview mirror. Okay this was starting to feel awkward. I felt this was too much. His constant stare was starting to give me the creeps!

“Who do you think that was?” Layla asked suddenly, disrupting the silence that had settled around us.

I only shrugged. “I've got no idea.”

“I think the most important question here, should be, 'Who sent him?'” Logan spoke quietly with his eyes thankfully staying on the road this time.

Layla frowned. “You… you think someone sent the rogue? Someone wanted Naomi dead?” Layla's eyes bulged in fear.

Logan nodded slowly. “From my perspective, the rogue and Naomi have never met before. The rogue has no personal vendetta against Naomi which rules out the idea of a revenge attack. I guess that someone arranged this.”

Layla gasped, covering her mouth with both hands and turned to stare at me. My eyes were at the moment focused on the Alpha behind the wheel. I was impressed with his way of thinking. The same thought had occurred to me a while ago, and hearing Logan repeat the same thing was quite reassuring. Awkwardly enough, it was at this moment I started to admire how handsome the man looked.

Logan glanced at the rearview mirror again and caught me staring but I quickly looked away. Focus Naomi, You've got a storm coming. I told myself…