Chapter 24. Why did you do that?

Daniel's POV

The feel of my lips on Ariana's soft and delectable ones was simply amazing. I pulled the pins out that held her hair up letting her silky chestnut hair tumble down her back in thick locks as I entangled my hand in them.

Her hands clutched my suit jacket as I gently bit on her bottom lip via my extended fangs to draw a sparse amount of her sweet blood before I licked the spot to soothe it.

I just can't hold myself back. Ari tastes so damn good and her blood is just too damn addictive. I kissed her for a bit more until I felt her breathing turn shallow.

When I pulled away, she slumped against my chest breathing heavily through her mouth and her legs quivering due to the overwhelming sensations. I made sure to hold her tight, securing my arms around her waist.

Once she was fine, she tried to back away and I let her have her space.

We stared at each other in an odd way, as if it was a silent conversation until I realised what I've done. I found a huge grin making it's way on my lips. I finally kissed her!

"W-Why did you do that?" Ari asked in a hoarse voice avoiding eye contact, a blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks. She looks so lovely like this.

Why I kissed her?

Back then, when Ariana said that she had to eventually leave me, I felt a strange tug at my heart at the thought of losing her and to add fuel to that, she mentioned the wrecked Alpha who was holding her hand earlier. I was so annoyed at myself on the realisation that it was me who had set the damn condition that she would return to him after he accepts the truce. When I held her face, all I wanted to do was keep her to myself and kiss her.

And so I did. My insticts took over me declining any sense of reasoning. I loved the way her small body fit in my hands. The way our lips molded perfectly against each other. The way she relented as I played with her hair and held her tighter and tighter. When we broke away, I wanted nothing more than to pull her back and kiss her again. But I didn't. She was already flustered enough and I didn't wanted to scare her.

Now, how am I supposed to explain all of this in short?

Before I could say anything, an angry voice interrupted,

"Danny!"

Reluctantly, I looked away from Ariana to find a fuming Kiana making her way towards us alongside Anthony who had a smirk on his face.

When did she arrive? And what the heck is Anthony doing here?

"How can you?! You both can't go around kissing each other! And Ariana, how can you be unfaithful to your mate?! Don't you know, you're with Daniel just because of the truce! You are Anthony's m-" Kiana burst out in anger at Ariana but I cut her off.

"Enough! She didn't do anything wrong. I kissed her. So don't drag Ari into this. And who are you to blame her of being unfaithful when you did the same thing, Kiana?" My tone was accusatory when directed towards Kiana. I grabbed Ariana's hand walking past the both of them.

I don't want to waste my time on them. Ariana is oddly silent ever since I kissed her. Except that one question, she haven't said anything which scares me a bit. Will she hate me after what I did?

I intended on walking out of here and talking this out with Ari but Anthony's next words made me stop on my tracks,

"Ari, huh? You do realise that she's my mate, right Daniel? You can keep her for now but by the end of this week, she'll be mine. And then it'll be me who would touch her, kiss her and fuck-"

"Shut up!" I let out a ferocious growl unable to hold back the extreme anger bubbling inside me as I let go of Ariana's hand and punched Anthony square on his face. Blood dripped down his lips that he wiped off with his thumb before licking it clean.

"Danny! What did you do?" Kiana let out an exasperated gasp. Even Ari looked stunned as she stared at me with her eyes wide.

"It's okay," Anthony assured Kiana before looking at me. He placed his hand on my shoulder which I swatted away instantly.

"Cool down, Daniel. Does she mean so much to you that you'd let your facade of the ignorant, cold man down and punch someone? You should be careful about letting others know your weaknesses, your highness. You never know, who would use her against you or perhaps slaughter her to seek revenge from you," Anthony whispered next to my ears giving me a sardonic smile.

My fists clenched by my sides as I felt like punching him once again. How dare he threaten Ari?!

"Daniel, Let's go back to the castle. I'm not feeling very well," Ariana's voice stopped me from beating the shit of the goddamn Alpha. Concerned about her health, I turned to look at her and gave a single nod.

"Okay. Let's go," I held her hand dragging her along with me back to the ballroom.

I don't care what those two are doing there. They can kill each other for all I care. I'll just inform about our leave to the first person I see.

Unfortunately, the first person I spotted was Claire. Ugh...why not someone else? Even Stephen would have been better.

Nevertheless, I approached her, "Claire, we'll be taking our leave."

She scowled at my words as I had expected, "What?! You can't leave so soon! You guys didn't even seen the mystic falls! All of us are heading towards the lake in a few minutes. So you're NOT leaving now."

"Ariana doesn't feel good. We have to go," I insisted. A concerned look crossed her face, "Really?" She grabbed Ariana's free hand holding them for a while as her orbs sparkled blue.

Oh, Damn!

I saw a slow sly smile making it's way on Claire's lips, "You finally kis-" I glared at her before she could finish the sentence.

"I mean, you can go. I'll tell Evie. Don't worry. Bubye!"

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Ariana's POV

The moment I and Daniel got seated in the carriage, there was utter silence that followed.

I had feigned to be unwell so that Daniel wouldn't pick up a fight with Alpha Anthony but he seemed to believe I'm actually not feeling good.

Back there, things got so messed up that I didn't know what to do. I was still reeling from the after effect of the kiss and then Kiana shows up looking like she'd murder me any moment. Even Alpha Anthony had a strange creepy look on his face. And to add fuel to the scene, Daniel goes around punching Anthony.

Phew...what a messy situation that was!

I take a look at Daniel whose now staring outside the window with his chin propped on his palm. Unconciously, my hand raises up to touch my lips that still feels sore and lively. My thoughts wander of to the time Daniel kissed me. His soft lips on mine, tongue that rubbed against my tongue, teeth that nipped and licked, and arms that held me securely. My cheeks warmed up at those thoughts and I looked the other way from Daniel as if he could see me and say what I'm thinking.

I had always thought a kiss was limited to the touch of two lips. Nothing more than that. But the kiss I received a few moments ago was a whole different story. I felt my cheeks warm up again as the kiss kept replaying in my mind like a broken record.

Snap out of it, Ariana!

I shook my head vigorously.

"What are you shaking your head at?" Daniel's voice made me almost jump out of my skin. I slowly turned my head to look at him.

My eyes took into his handsome face--his dark black hair falling on his forehead, his perfectly shaped eyebrows, piercing blue eyes, thick lashes, straight nose, plush lips....

I quickly averted my gaze away from his face looking anywhere but him, "I...."

What am I supposed to say? I was shaking my head so that I could get rid of the passionate kiss I shared with you. How stupid that sounds!

"I was shaking my head for fun?" My answer sounded more like a question and who on earth shakes their head for fun. Stupid Ariana!

"For fun? Who does that for fun? You're really something, Ariana. At least, try making a good excuse next time." There was a hint of amusement in his voice which -despite my lack of protests- made me turn and look at him. There he was giving me that same heart-wrenching smile.

That smile....It must have been the reason I fell for him in the first place!

His smile turned into a smirk and I felt my cheeks heating up again. I was staring at him like a maniac!

"I'm not making excuses," I murmured looking outside the carriage's window.

I heard him chuckle in the background, "Keep saying that to yourself."

The rest of the ride continued with me peering outside the window and eventually falling asleep as peaceful slumber took over.

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Daniel's POV

By the time we reached back to the castle, Ariana had fallen asleep. I thought of waking her up but I just couldn't get myself to do it. She was sleeping so soundly, looking like an angel. Who would have it in their heart to disturb her?

So, I gently carried her in my arms - bridal style- and made my way towards the main entrance of the castle. The coachman looked a bit surprised so did the butler but they didn't say anything.

The moment I stepped in, Carla came rushing towards me.

"Hey, Danny! How was the party? Oh, is Ariana asleep?" Carla asked in her not-so-slow voice making Ari stir in my arms.

"Shhhh" I gestured Carla to stay quite which she did very obediently placing a finger on her lips.

Ari snuggled closer to me as she stopped stirring. I sighed without a noise. Hopefully, she's back to sleep. I looked up from Ari's sleeping face to an awestruck Carla.

"You both are so cute!" She squealed happily before placing a finger on her lips as Ari stirred again in my arms.

Suddenly, Carla covered her mouth with her palm looking paler than ever as if she was trying to hold back her vomit. That made me alert and despite Ari in my arms, I slowly asked,

"Are you okay, Carla?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I'm fine. Maybe I just over ate or something? Don't worry about me. Just take Ariana to her room." Saying that she rushed away towards her room leaving me staring at her retreating form.

Is she really okay? I'll ask her to meet a doctor tomorrow.

With that being confirmed, I headed towards my room still carrying a sleeping Ari in my arms.

Once we were inside the room, I slowly shut the door with my leg and made my way to the bed.

Gently laying Ariana on the bed, I took her shoes off her feet and covered her properly with the duvet.

I should have called a maid to help Ari change her clothes but I'm afraid it will wake Ari up. Nevertheless, the dress isn't too tacky and I had made sure it was comfortable enough while buying it. So, I guess it should be fine for her to sleep in that.

After freshening up myself and wearing fresh set of t-shirt and track-pant, I walked to the other side of the bed and laid down next to Ariana.

Ari's gonna freak out in the morning when she finds me sleeping next to her. I'll have to get up early and go before she wakes up. It's okay since she wakes up late.

Tucking a wayward strand of hair that fell on her face behind her ear, I stared at Ariana's beautiful face. Although she's not gonna answer, I asked her sleeping face,

"Is it wrong of me to want you for myself?"

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1. What do you think is wrong with Carla?

2. And tell me what you think of Daniel and Ariana? Aren't they simply cute?

College starts in a week and my tutions starts fron tomorrow. This is so annoying! My vacations are over. I'm so sad:(

Anyways, the next chapter will be updated on Sunday^_^