Chapter 19 Nineteen
DANIKA
I stare at the sight before me, my eyes wide. Kaziel looks too pale for comfort. And…Eve...she looks freakishly innocent. So much that the expression on her face sends shivers down my spine. My mind is reeling as I imagine a thousand scenarios that had ended up with them in this intimate position. And every single one of them sends a jolt through me.
Kaziel holds out a hand towards me, and instantly the thoughts vanish.
Ignoring Eve's stare, I hurry to them, tuck my phone in the pocket of my jeans, and square my shoulders.
If she's a werewolf, she must know that Kaziel and I are mates.
"It's okay, I'll take it from here," I tell her, and she blinks at me, slowly pulling away from Kaziel, who manages to steady himself with his palms flat on the floor.
Gently, I ease my arms around his body, his muscles flexing. With a grunt, he slightly picks himself off the floor and sinks into my arms, his face buried against my neck.
"Sorry," he croaks, and I gently rub his back.
"It's okay, breathe," I tell him, and he wraps his arms around me, holding me close. For someone on the verge of unconsciousness, the strength in his arms is impressive.
"What happened? It's barely been three days since you had an episode," I tell him.
He doesn't reply, he just lets me hold him, silence settling between us.
I stroke his hair, listening to the sound of the slight wheezing coming from him. And that makes me worry. A lot. His entire body is still shaking hard too.
His condition seems worse than the other time. Something must have triggered it, but what?
My gaze rests on Eve, who's standing a few feet away, watching us. There's a false smile tugging at her lips. Creepy.
Kaziel's breathing eventually steadies against my collarbone. Only then do I notice Aaron approaching.
He's holding an ice pack in his hand. I watch as he crouches beside us and flashes me an apologetic smile. Then he gently presses the ice pack to the back of Kaziel's neck.
"Are you okay?" Aaron asks me, and I nod. His gaze darts to my neck, and I try not to squirm. He definitely knows that Kaziel fed from me.
"Let me apologize for my alpha's sake," he utters, and I wince.
"You really don't have to. I understand."
He arches a brow. "Do you really? Kaziel is the farthest thing from normal, you know? He will get weirder and weirder the more he gets comfortable around you. He's not a 'nice guy' or a 'Prince Charming.' Don't even get me started on his mood swings—"
"Aaron," Kaziel's voice rumbles like a grenade waiting to explode. But it is also laced with exhaustion.
Aaron winces. "Sorry, Alpha. I was just—"
"Thank you for the ice pack," Kaziel says, startling us.
He eases off me, his bloodshot eyes searching mine. Then he takes my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles.
"I'm okay now," he confirms, and relief washes over me. With Aaron's help, he rises to his feet. Then he helps me up as well.
"I'll drive you to your apartment," he breathes, and I frown.
Has he decided that I am safe now?
"What about Eve?" I ask.
"Aaron will take her," he responds, and I nod.
...
I stare at the projector in the lecture room, my insides squirming when I recall the awkward silence that had hung between Kaziel and me during the drive to my apartment.
I tried to make him talk, but it seemed that he was in no mood for talking. Even when we got to our destination, he simply pecked me on the cheek and leaned over to open the door. Worse, he had refused to look me in the eye.
Now, I'm fuming in my seat, wondering what I did to deserve the silent treatment.
"Did you two fight?" Cora asks, startling me. I panic instantly, thinking she knows about my relationship with Kaziel. But that can't be right. He's not even here.
"Pardon me?" I say, and she gestures at Eve, who's seated a few rows ahead.
"She's been glancing at you. I'm not trying to be nosey, but you guys used to sit together. So, I'm just curious what's going on."
Is she kidding?
She's obviously being nosy.
"We didn't fight," I tell her, and she pouts.
"Doesn't look like it, though. Can I be your friend instead? I don't have any. My sister is overbearing enough, and I constantly have to see her shoving her tongue down her boyfriend's throat."
Despite myself, a smile tugs at my lips.
"Is your sister always that possessive of her boyfriend?" I ask.
She sighs. "Jaz wasn't always like that. She was innocent and gentle. I always had to protect her. But she's been hurt too many times. Since she found someone she wants to live the rest of her life with, she became extreme."
My stomach knots.
If I get hurt too many times, does this mean I'll change like Jazmine did?
Do I really have to change to stay by Kaziel's side and keep Eve away?
I glance at Eve, and our gazes connect, my throat tightening. If Eve's watching me now, it's not because we're no longer friends. It's because she knows something I don't.
"So, what do you say? Yes to our friendship?" Cora leans in to whisper in my ear almost giddily.
"Buy me a cup of vanilla honey latte with oat milk, and I might consider it," I respond, and she grins so widely her eyes light up.
"Aye, captain!" She practically squeals, nudging me on the side.
I can't trust her yet. But I guess I can do with some company.
My phone buzzes on my desk, and I unlock it to see a message from Kaziel. And despite how riled up I'd been, a smile breaks over my face.
'I'd like to see you in my office when you're done with your classes.'
My fingers itch to quickly send him a reply. But then, I decide to keep him hanging as payback.
Roughly three minutes later, he sends a one-word text.
'Please.'
And of course, my smile is so big, it makes my cheeks hurt.
...
As I make my way to Kaziel's office, the memory of the ecstasy I'd felt when he'd sucked my blood replays itself in my head. The thought of it is enough to make me aroused. Is it weird that I want him to do it again? Preferably while he fucks me or fingers—
Stop it, Danika!
It's too dangerous. But still...
When will he actually get me in his bed?
I'm a slut for thinking like that, but I can't help it. My body practically sings around his insane masculine energy. Even the sound of his voice makes me fold.
Finally in front of his office, I bring a mirror in front of my face to make sure my lip gloss is perfect. I applied eyeliner and mascara today as well. My pink dress is a little short, slightly above my knee to make it easier for him to access my pan...
Okay, that's enough.
Blowing out a breath to steady myself, I raise a hand to knock on the door, freezing when I hear the sound of a familiar voice drifting from inside the office.
"Look me in the eye and tell me you're not interested in my daughter in such a filthy way."
I clamp a hand over my mouth, my heart sinking.
Dad?
What is he doing here?!