The depth of a connection is not measured in miles but in heartbeats.

~by thangbalay from 'Instagram'.

[A/N: A very very long chapter ahead.]

Daniel's POV

I pressed on the accelerator pedal fastening the pace of this wrecked yet expensive car as I drove off in full speed on an empty road to god knows where.

I was glad Anthony finally accepted the truce but ever since Ariel reminded me the other part of the truce where Ariana has to go back to that damn Alpha, I don't know what to feel anymore.

There's this part of me which is satisfied now that she'll finally leave and I could get rid of all these mixed feelings I have developed for her over time but then there's a larger part of me who doesn't want to let her go and make her stay by my side forever.

What the heck is wrong with me? From when did things started changing?

I pressed on the accelerator to increase the speed even more but my whole body jerked forward as the car came to a sudden halt.

I had actually pressed the darn break!

Before my head could make impact with the steering wheel due to the sudden jerk, the airbags puffed out making the whole interior of the car look like a damn balloon.

I quickly got out of the car and closed the door with a lot of force out of frustration.

I rested my head on the shed of the car. I just don't know what to do. I want Ariana to be with me but I also want her to be back with her mate. 

Something doesn't seem right to me about Anthony that makes me all the more cautious to let Ariana go back to him. On top of that, Kiana wants me back. Why now though?

Ugh...this is so annoying!

I kicked the car in anger. Lifting my head up, I looked around my surrounding only for my eyes to widen.

How the heck did I end up on a cliff?!

My eyes roamed over to every nook and crany of the oddly comforting deserted land. At a particular spot, I spotted someone standing at the end of the cliff.

My eyebrows furrowed as the figure became more and more familiar. What is she doing here-

Oh, damn!

Just before she could jump off the cliff, I ran over to her in my full vampire speed and caught her on time pulling her away from the cliff-end before she could fall to her absolute death.

"Have you lost your mind, Kiana?! Do you know what you were about to do?!" I shouted right in her face.

Kiana took me by complete surprise when she broke down in front of me and hugged me.

"I'm sorry, Danny. I just don't have anybody anymore. Duncan's family threw me out of his house. My parents died years ago. I cant stay in the orphanage anymore. I don't have a home for myself. I'm homeless. Where should I go? Even you dont want me anymore. I feel so lonely, Danny!" Kiana cried histerically clutching onto me tightly.

I stood frozen to the spot without a word, my hand remained on my sides while she continued sobbing loudly. If it was years ago it would have hurt me a lot to see her like this and I would have done anything to comfort her but for some reason, I don't feel much sad now in fact I feel nothing.

I didn't know she was so heartbroken since Duncan's death and I didn't expect Duncan's family members to throw her out of his house either. How much ever his family hated Kiana, one thing I knew for sure was Duncan really loved her and he would do anything to keep her safe and happy. I saw it in his eyes, even though it hurt a lot back then but I knew that he loved her with all he had. Maybe that's one of the reasons I never tried to snatch her away from him.

"Danny," Kiana finally let go of me but still held onto my arm clutching it tightly as she stood tall in front of me.

Kiana is taller compared to Ari. Ariana seems so small in front of Kiana. Like a fragile yet beautiful and feiry doll. Ariana's so cute when she's clumsy and carefree. She really is something.

I smiled at the thought of her.

"Danny, are you listening? What are you smiling at?" Kiana's hoarse voice buzzed in my ears getting me out of my thoughts.

"I asked you whether I could stay at your place and you weren't even paying attention," Her facial features represented that of sadness.

I gently took her hands off me before speaking, "You can't stay in the castle. But don't worry, I'll arrange a house for you to stay." I assured with a nod of my head.

Kiana seemed annoyed by my reply or maybe I'm just assuming it?

"You weren't like this before, Danny! You used to always care about me. How can you leave me alone in a house? I swear, I'll give up on my life if you don't take me along with you!" Kiana burst out in anger as she strode past me towards the cliff-end.

What's up with her? Why is she so hell bent on giving up her life?

I grabbed her hand and pulled her back, "Okay, fine! Come along with me."

Ariana's POV

"You know, there was one time when Stephen and Daniel got along and irritated Evan so much that he left the party!" Carla spoke enthusiastically from the sofa opposite me. Even little Cami who was currently sitting on my lap gazed at her with interest.

By the time, I freshened up and wore fresh set of clothes, Carla was already by the door knocking at it ready to chat with me. Carla is a little enthusiastic type of person but sweet. She is great company anyways.

Right now, Ariel and James were going through few paperworks at one end of the hall sitting on a sofa, flirting with each other at time intervals along with doing work. They're both so adorable.

While I, Carla and little Cami were on the other end of the hall listening to Carla blabber endlessly about all her childhood moments. Basically, Daniel and Ariel were the same old as now when Carla was still a child which makes me think that these two must be quite older and powerful compared to her.

Carla also said about how playful and flirty Daniel used to be before which is kind of surprising. Daniel and the vampire king, Evan, are like best of friends and then there's the girl named Claire who is Evan's cousin and also Daniel's another best friend who is amazing according to Carla. She also mentioned about Evan's brother Stephen whose tales were hilarious. She was excited for me to meet them and even mentioned about Evan's daughter's birthday party which is at two days from today.

"Okay, now enough of my rambling. Tell me about you and Daniel. Tell me, where did you guys meet for the first time?" Carla asked with curiosity and excitement lacing her voice.

"Wolvesbane packhouse-" My eyes widened as I quickly tried to analyse my mistake, "I mean, we met near Wolvesbane pack house." I smiled nervously hoping she would buy the lie.

Daniel had requested me not to let Carla know about our true relationship. I might as well oblige to his request.

Carla seemed to believe it as her eyes turned dreamy for a minute, "It's funny how everyone I know meets the love of their life there."

"Huh?"

"I meant about a friend," she said a little too fast for my suspicion.

I took a sip of the coffee from the cup in my hand before placing it back on the table. Gazing down at little Cami who was staring me, I asked, "You want some."

Cami replied with a 'Nope' her cute little lips popping into a 'p'.

"You know, Ari. Andrea is so cool! Though she's a troublemaker, she's smart and strong. She can even climb a tree! Dorian is a crybaby and Lucien is always like a gentleman. I'm waiting for Andrea's birthday! We'll have so much fun!" Cami mumbles in her childish voice -about Lord Evan's kids Andrea and Lucien who are five and seven years old respectively and Stephen's son Dorian whose five- nodding her head along with her words.

I smile at her excitement. Kid's life is so amazing and fun. It's so sad I never got to experience that happiness due to my father.

"She was talking with me, Cam. How can you steal my friend and leave me lonely?" Carla feigned a cry while little Cami looked troubled for making her aunt cry.

I bit back a laugh. Poor little sweetheart fell for her aunt's act.

"Sorrryyyy, aunt Carla," little Cami looked really genuine with her apology.

"Oh my cutie! Come here," Carla stretched her arms out for Cami, to which she got off me quickly and rushed towards Carla in a jiffy before hugging her. Carla tickled Cami as she burst into laughing fits.

We were busy in our happy moment when we heard a voice,

"Hello, everyone." Came an oddly familiar feminine voice.

I turned my head towards the source of the sound to find a very stunning Kiana making our way towards us alongside Daniel. She gave me a smile which I returned back sincerely.

"You! How dare you step inside this castle with your ugly feet?!" Carla's voice was accusing as she placed Cami on the sofa and walked towards Kiana looking agitated.

Kiana looked taken aback by Carla's outburst and so was I. Why is she so angry?

"What's she doing here, Danny?" It was Ariel who spoke this time heading towards us along with James.

I took a glance of Daniel who was already staring back at me. His eyes held a strange kind of hesitation as he spoke, "Kiana doesn't have anywhere to stay. She will be staying here for a few days."

A frown settled on Kiana's face when Daniel said 'few days' but she soon covered it up when she caught me seeing her. Ariel and James looked disturbed as they stared at me as if it would help them conclude something. While Carla looked furious before she also started staring me.

What's the matter? Why did the environment become so tense since Kiana came? And why in the world is everyone staring me?!

"Doesn't she have the big house of that man she ran off with years ago?!" Carla snapped finally breaking the ice and focusing back her attention on Kiana.

"Carla," Daniel's voice was like a warning to which Carla scowled openly.

"What?! How can you not see it, Danny? The bitch is acting to be pitiful to gain your sympathy. She'd always done that! Bloody Actress! I never really liked her!"

"Enough!" Daniel's firm command boomed through the hall making Carla stop.

I could see Kiana's eyes well up with tears on hearing Carla's words as she clutched onto Daniel's arm.

I am surprised by the amount of rage Carla has for Kiana. Carla didn't look like the person to insult somebody without a reason. Did Kiana do something wrong to her?

"Fine! Do whatever you want!" Carla stomped off in anger towards her room.

"Let her cool down. She'll be okay," Ariel said blocking Daniel as he tried to follow her, "Are you sure you want Kiana to stay here?" Ariel's eyes lingered on me for a fleeting moment before she looked back at Daniel.

Daniel simply nodded his head without a word.

"Okay, then," Ariel motioned a maid to approach her, "Show Miss. Kiana to the guest room and make sure she's provided with all the amendments."

"Thank you, Ariel. I knew you were-" Kiana started only to be cut by Ariel.

"Don't flatter yourself. I didn't do this because of you, Kiana," Ariel said before walking past her heading towards her room.

"Don't worry, I'll send someone to look after Carla and Ariel will be fine," James assured with a smile to a worried looking Daniel placing a hand on his shoulder before carrying a flustered Cami from the sofa and following his wife.

"I'll show you to the room, Mam." The maid said politely to Kiana.

"Can't you wait a minute?" Kiana snapped at the maid. I was stunned for a moment. Just a few minutes ago she looked so pitiful and sad and now it was like her demeanour turned vicious the moment all of them left.

Kiana seemed to realise her mistake when Daniel looked at her with a frown.

"I'm sorry. I was a bit upset. Let's go," she apologised to the maid before following her.

"It was nice meeting you, Ariana," Kiana smiled but when Daniel wasn't looking she glared at me taking me by surprise and walked passed me nudging her shoulder with mine.

Kiana's Strange.

My eyes flickered over to Daniel who seemed preoccupied by his thoughts. I guess, I'm the only one whose oblivious to what's happening around. I have so many questions bugging in my head to which I have no answers. Nevertheless, I'm not going to force answers out of anybody unless they willingly say it to me.

With that being confirmed, I turned around to walk back to my room when Daniel's voice stopped me.

"Ariana," I turned around to look at him. Daniel's stormy blue eyes were fixated on me as he spoke, "Did you have dinner?"

I shook my head in reply. I saw him exhale a sigh as he strode towards me and grabbed my hand. I looked up at him in surprise.

"Let's have dinner together," he said dragging me along with him towards our room.

Are we having dinner in the balcony again?

Despite the gloomy air, the thought of eating in the balcony sitting under the starry sky made me happy.

***

By the time we finished eating our dinner, I was completely full and felt a bit sleepy. I and Daniel had the dinner in complete silence and peaceful environment. Many times I saw Daniel staring at me as if he wanted to say something but when I asked him whether he had anything to say, he would deny it and continue eating.

Right now, we both were standing on the balcony with our hands resting on the railing as we stared at the sky.

"Don't you have anything to ask?" Daniel spoke turning his head in my direction breaking the peaceful silence.

I tilted my head slightly not taking my eyes of the starry sky, "I don't want to ask you anything that you don't want to answer."

"But I want to answer," I looked at him a little taken aback by his words. Smiling I said, "Then no one's stopping you from speaking."

Daniel's own smile tugged onto his lips before he inhaled a deep breath as if preparing for something, "Kiana...she's my mate."

My eyes widened as I stared at him in shock. Mate? Kiana?

If Kiana is Daniel's mate.

Then what was she doing with that man named Duncan Caprielle?

Could it be, Daniel found her after she got married?

As if hearing my thoughts, Daniel continued,

"Kiana and I were together almost five years ago. I loved her a lot, Ari, but she never seemed to return my feelings. At that time, I had a friend Duncan. Duncan used to teach Kiana to play the piano. I don't know how it happened but Duncan fell for Kiana and even Kiana seemed to like him and all along I was unaware of the fact. One day, I thought I should be fully honest to Kiana and told her about me being a hybrid. She freaked out when she heard the truth and even called me a monster, an abomination. I was so heartbroken, Ari. The woman I loved so much was terrified of me. To add fuel to my miseries, the very same day, I found Duncan and her together....on the bed." Daniel's voice quivered by the time he reached the end of the story.

"Ariel and Carla started loathing Kiana ever since she betrayed me because they thought she was the reason I became aloof. Although I never said them but Kiana indeed was the reason. She left me heartbroken and I started despising myself. You know, I have never said this to anyone before," there was a sort of uncertainty in his eyes as he turned his body now facing me.

I held his hand that was on the railing and intertwined our fingers. I could see the surprise in his eyes but he didn't make a move to snatch his hand away so I spoke, "Is that the reason why you shut everyone out and became cold to others?"

Daniel nodded clutching my hand tighter. I felt privileged that he confided in me enough to express his feelings in front of me when he hadn't even to his sisters who he trusted so much.

A sincere smile grew on my face as I bought my other hand upto his face, "Have I said you this before, Daniel that how cunning you are when you're playing water balloons fight?"

I try changing the topic so that he doesn't have to reminisce about the past and be sad. The past is past after all. It's the present that he has to make better.

Surprise crossed over his face at my words and he leaned his face more onto my palm with a smirk on his lips, "No. But you can say it now. About how hot I look soaked in the water and how incredibly amazing player I am." He wriggled his brows giving me a wink.

I let out a chuckle at his reply, "You are crazy!"

"Only for you," his smile broadened before a sad look crossed his face. He took my hand off his face, leant down a bit, held my face in his hands and kissed my forehead taking me by complete surprise.

My heart beat like crazy while he rested his forehead on mine and peered right into my eyes,

"I'm gonna miss you so much, Ari."

________

How was the chapter?

I'm so excited to write the upcoming chapters.

You'll be meeting few of the other royals from Veneton and anyone anticipating a kiss? *smiles slyly*

Okay, then. Meet you in the next chapter:)