Ariana's POV

I snuggled closer in the warm embrace making myself comfortable.

Hmmm....

This person's body is so warm and their large arms wrapped around my body gave me a sense of security....

Wait a second!

I fluttered my eyes open in a whish only to find my face pressed against Daniel's hard chest while his steady breathing could be heard along with his fresh manly scent. His arm was wrapped around my waist holding me close to him.

Oh my....how did I end up like this?

Last I remember, I fell asleep in the carriage. What happened after then? Could it be that Daniel carried me all the way here and laid me on his bed? Why on the bed though? Why not on the couch? Ugh...so many questions! But first I have get out of his hold.

I slowly tried to get out of Daniel's hold being careful not to wake him up but the moment I moved, I heard a groan of protest coming from him as his hold tightened around my waist pulling me closer.

"Daniel?" I slowly called out.

I felt his body stiffen beside me but he didn't make a movement and just stayed silent. Is he awake or not?

"Daniel, If you're awake, could you please...um...let me go?" I urged trying to wriggle out of his embrace.

Instead of letting me go, he pulled me more closer to him if it's even possible and said in his sexy morning voice,"I'm not letting you go away from me."

Huh? Why does it sound like he doesn't mean just about the embrace?

"Uh...but...you see I'm feeling suffocated here," I reasoned out trying to pull back.

Daniel finally moved back a bit, his arm still not letting go of my waist, "You're feeling suffocated? I'm sorry. I didn't realise it," his tone was so gentle and he looked genuinely concerned with his half opened eyes looking so adorable and hot at the same time.

Actually, It's not the problem of air suffocation or something. I'm feeling overwhelmed with the tingling sensations in my tummy by his closeness. I have this huge urge to wrap my arms around him and just lay like this forever.

Im seriously screwed! Someone please save me!

When Daniel's eyes opened fully and his gaze assessed my face, he seemed to snap out of whatever daze he was in as his eyes widened visibly.

"You're awake," Daniel said still looking surprised.

Why did that sound like a question?

"Why didn't you lay me on the couch? And why are you still holding me so close?"

As soon as those words left my mouth, I regretted it as Daniel unwrapped his arms around me and moved back almost instantly making me miss the warmth already.

But before I could say anything, his body hovered over mine taking me by complete surprise. My eyes widened while he stared right into my eyes.

"I didn't lay you here. You yourself came here in your sleep, pushed me off the bed and leisurely laid on my bed. Don't think I took advantage of the situation or something. You hugged me and even threatened to punch me if I didn't hold you back, okay!"

By the time he was finished, he had thankfully moved back and laid on his back beside me. I turned my head to look at him with my eyes narrowed in suspicion. Daniel himself had a nervous look on his face but he kept a hard front as if he wanted to prove that he was saying the truth.

After a bit of staring him down suspiciously, I finally believed his words.

"Sorry for the inconvenience then. Just wake me up next time if I do something like that....okay?" I quickly said before getting up from the bed and rushing towards the bathroom in a hurry leaving a still laying Daniel on the bed.

How embarrassing! I can't believe I did all those things!

Lord, from when did I start sleepwalking?

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Daniel's POV

'YOU! YOU LIED TO HER! YOU'RE SO CUNNING!' Carlos' voice was accusing as he made his presence known.

'Happy realisation' I replied back with lack of enthusiasm before shutting him off.

Okay, I know it was a bit over the top with what I said to justify my actions but Ari actually believed it so it's great. I admit, I shouldn't have lied to her and I feel bad about it but if I said that I willingly made her sleep on the bed and held her close, she would surely freak out.

However, today's sleep was one of the best sleep of my life. I feel so refreshed and great waking up with Ari's beautiful face in front of me and her in my arms. I want to wake up like this everyday.

But sadly, today is the last day Ari will be here before she leaves me to go with that Alpha.

My heart ached at the thought and I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

Damn! What should I do to keep you by my side, Ari?

****

"Here, this is yours," Ariel said handing me a silver chain with an unique blue charm stone adorning it.

After the morning's incident with Ariana, the first thing I did was to look for Ariel so that I could find a way to let Ari stay here for a while more for now. I found Ariel in the study but before I could say anything she handed me the silver chain first.

"Charm Stone? Where'd you get this?" I asked scanning the unique stone attached to the chain as a pendant.

To find an original Charm stone is rare and by rare I mean almost extinct. There's only one person I know of who has them.

"Did she give you this?"

"Yeah, Lisa gave one to each you, Evan and Claire," she cleared out confirming my suspicion.

"She didn't give you a similar one?" I assessed the silver chain with a red charm stone wound around Ariel's neck as she shook her head in reply. "Then does this have to do anything with the prophecy?"

Lisa or better yet Mellisa Castellejo, is the queen of all supernaturals. The first ever cross breed accepted by the witches. She's a Vampire/Lycan/Witch/Siren crossbreed.

Though her existence is unknown to the supernatural world. It's only the royal families who know that there's a stronger force behind the shadows. She's our Ultimate Queen.

Since I, Evan and Claire are the first born royals, we were predicted by the ancients to be a part of a prophecy that will take place after two hundred years.

"Yup! Apparently, it's for your protection. The charm stone will keep you safe from any harm till the time of prophecy. I did get one for me and Carla as well but yours is a bit different. Lisa said these were specially meant for you three so there would be no glitches until the prophecy."

"I see."

I took a glance of the charm stone that lied on my palm.

So this stone was meant for protection, right?

"Danny, Weren't you here to say something? What is it?"

I looked up from the stone to her face, "About that..."

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Ariana's POV

It is the most boring when there's no one in this castle. Apparently, Carla has gone out somewhere, Ariel and Daniel are having some discussion in the study and little Cami is out with her Daddy to visit the toy store.

All in all, there's no one I can pass my time with. I sighed walking in the isolated hallway. Clicking of heels against the wooden floor was heard. I looked in the direction of the sound to find Kiana making her way towards me wearing a red body fitting dress that cling to her curves well. I totally forget she was here as well.

"Can I speak to you for a minute, Ariana?" Kiana asked politely the moment she approached me.

Her words took me by a little surprise. I mean, she never seemed to like my presence then why suddenly she wanted to talk to me and she even spoke politely. I nodded my head nevertheless.

"Not here. Let's talk in my room." Kiana lead me towards her room while I followed suit.

Once we were inside the room, she shut the door behind her.

"Have a seat," she gestured towards the couch at the corner of the room as I made myself comfortable on it.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked hitting the nail. For some reason, ever since Daniel said me about how Kiana betrayed him, I had started to dislike her presence.

I don't understand why she would betray someone like Daniel and break his heart. He deserved all the love in the world. Even if Kiana was in love with Duncan then why didn't she break off her ties with Daniel earlier? Why lead him on and let him suffer?

Kiana headed towards me. Taking a seat on the couch beside me, she spoke, "I wanted you to leave Daniel and go back to your mate. From what I know of Danny and what I observed in these few days, I realised he has some kind of feelings for you and he most probably won't let you go easily. Ariana, For a person, his or her mate is the only one who can give them their full love. I don't know whether you know this but I'm Daniel's mate and I'm most certainly the only person who can love him the most. I did a few mistakes in the past and I regret it now. You also have a mate. Don't you think you should get back with your mate and leave mine? So, I'm asking you politely to leave Daniel and go back with Anthony tomorrow without any hesitation. If Daniel comes up with something to keep you here which I'm sure he would, I want you to deny his request. That's all I wanted to say. I'll look forward to your corporation."

After her reverie, Kiana stood up from the couch and extended her hand towards me for a handshake with a fake smile on her face. I stared at her hand then at her face before getting up myself and gently swatting her hand away.

"Why should I listen to you? I'm sorry but I can't accept your words. Next time, don't ask me to do something ridiculous like this," I said with a twinge of arrogance in my voice before walking past her towards the exit door of the room.

I get it. I'm not supposed to be with Daniel. After all, I'm not his mate. I'm not the one he loves even though I had already lost my heart to him. Even if he had kissed me so passionately just yesterday, he still didnt say anything about it. But that doesn't mean I would let Kiana say what I should do and what I should not.

Honestly speaking, if I get a chance to be with Daniel even for one more day, I will willingly accept the offer because I love him.

Just when I was about to turn the knob and get out, Kiana spoke again,

"Daniel is a Hybrid!" She said frantically trying to stop me from going.

I turned my head in her direction and gave her a knowing smile, "I know and I don't have any problem with it. It's just who he is. What's wrong in that? Unlike you, I won't leave him just because he's a hybrid. I know he's a little dangerous sometimes but that gives me all the more reason to stay with him. If you really loved him, you would have realised that he never meant harm to anyone."

"Why are speaking as if you know him so well? You couldn't possibly be in love with Danny, could you?" Kiana gave me a stern look at the end.

I stared right into her eyes and said,
"I love him. So what? You can't change my feelings for him."

The look she directed towards me was one of pure anger and animosity. She gritted her teeth before all of a sudden, an evil smirk grew on her face.

"You love him! Wow! This is great!" Kiana laughed like a maniac now coming to stand in front of me, "Since you didn't accept my polite request, let's settle with the hard resolute. You love Daniel so you wouldn't want your love to suffer, right?"

I stared at her in confusion and shock. Gone was her facade of innocence to be replaced by a malicious look on her face. Why do I suddenly have a bad feeling about this?

"Ariana, If you don't accept my condition and dont leave with Anthony tomorrow, then I'll reveal to the whole world about Daniel being a hybrid. What do you think will happen then?"

I looked at her in shock as my steps staggered. How could she be so cruel?

I didn't know she would stoop so low and threaten me with Daniel's biggest secret. Doesn't she care even a little bit for her mate? How could Daniel trust Kiana and reveal his true identity to her?

I know very well about the consequences if Kiana is ever to reveal Daniel's identity. The citizens and the courtiers will go crazy about the news. They would accuse the royal family for betraying their trust and keeping a hybrid in the castle. Their rage will increase further more and they would even go to rampage when they will realise that all these years the kingdom was ruled by a hybrid and their beloved prince was actually the one. If the situation goes out of hand then....

A shiver ran down my spine and tears welled up in my eyes at the possibility of what worst could happen....

"I guess, you got it. If I reveal Daniel's identity to the world, he would be executed sooner or later. You don't want the love of your life to have such a tragic death, do you Ariana?" Kiana smiled sardonically, "So be a good girl and accept my condition. If you still don't agree then-"

"I will do it! I will go with Anthony tomorrow. You can't let Daniel's identity out!" I cut her off before she could speak further.

"About denying Daniel's offer to keep you here..."

"I'll deny it as well!"

A satisfied smile grew on Kiana's face as she pat my shoulder, "Good Girl. Now you can leave."

Kiana turned the doorknob and hushed me out of her room. Once I was out of the room, I leant my back against the wall beside the room's door as tears flowed down my eyes one by one.

What had I just agreed to...

Could I really leave the man I love behind? Could I really go back to the mate who treated me nothing less than a servant?

Most importantly, Could I really be able to hurt Daniel's feelings?

_________

Wasn't the update supposed to be on last Sunday?

And as for this chapter, It's not a great chapter. Ofcourse not worth the wait. So, I'll try my best to update one more chapter in a day or two since I have a holiday tomorrow.

My college timings really sucks. College begins from 12:00 p.m to 5: 30 p.m. By the time I return back home with my mom, it's already 6:00. Then I have an hour to freshen up, eat and do my homework. At 7:00 p.m, it's time for tution which continues for 2 hours. After that, it's again eat dinner and do my homework. I wake at 10:00 in the morning and I still become late to college. On top of that, I'm trying my best to maintain top scores in my academics.

All this leaves me with no time except Sunday when I take a day off from all the studies. I use this time to write. I thought it was essential for me to give you lovely readers an explanation for the delay of updates ^_^

I hope you liked the chapter and I'm trying my best to update tomorrow as well:)