Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall
Chapter 20

Aria's POV

Running from the Alpha's office, I quickly made my way to the Alpha’s bedroom. I didn't want Lily to worry, and I was also worried she might tell the Alpha I was craving blood. I didn't need to give him any more reasons to kill me. I knew he wouldn't follow me because as soon as I left, Mavis, the Pack doctor, walked in straight after me. Going to the bathroom, I quickly chugged down half the bottle before crumbling to the floor. My thirst was beginning to become a problem. I haven't wanted or needed blood so badly before, but it was like every fibre of my body was craving it. The wolfsbane burnt every cell, making me cry out in pain, clutching my stomach.

Come on, Aria, you can do this just a bit more. It will make the hunger stop. I tried to drink more down, but as soon as it hit my tongue again, I doubled over, throwing up into the toilet. I could feel my tongue sizzling from the poison. Blood started running down from my eyes and mouth. I thought drinking more would hold me off longer, but all it did was make me thirstier. My hunger became the only thing I could think about, taking over my thoughts completely. Laying on the cold tiled floor, I suddenly felt like my body was overheating, like I was boiling from the inside. I don't know how long I laid there. When I suddenly heard the bedroom door open, I could smell his alluring scent instantly. Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate on anything but his scent, his blood calling to me. Sitting up, I quickly locked the door, but as soon as I did, he knocked on it.

"Open the door Aria,” his voice sounded strained. I didn't answer because I knew if I did, it would come out pained or I would growl at him. Not trusting my hunger, I tried to drink another mouthful but only ended up choking gasping for air, when the door was suddenly kicked in. Alpha Reid walked in a pained look on his face; his breathing was ragged, and he was clutching the door frame tightly with his hand.

"Stop whatever you are doing,” he gasped. I tried to get up but only stumbled back onto my hands and knees. So instead, I leant on the wall. He walked back out to the bed sitting on the edge, “The stronger the mate bond gets, the more I feel what you are feeling, including your pain.”

Looking over at him, I suddenly took in his appearance. He had sweat running down the sides of his face, and his shirt was drenched in sweat as well. He sat there until he regained his strength before pulling his shirt over his head, dumping it on the floor next to him. Placing his elbows on his knees, he brushed his fingers through his hair before looking over at me sitting on the floor.

“Is that why you drink it? To stop the bloodlust?” Nodding my head, I faced the wall. I had been holding my breath for a few minutes now. Knowing as soon as I took a breath, I would be consumed with hunger again.

Getting up he walked back over to the bathroom door, leaning on the door frame. I watched as a drop of sweat ran from his neck down his muscular shoulder over his pecs and down his 6 Pack to his V-line before stopping at his jeans. He really was built like a god.

“If you're done eye-fucking me, get up off the floor and breathe. I know you're uncomfortable,”

“I can't,” I said, gritting my teeth.

“Why? Because you're hungry...because you need to feed?”

Looking up at him, his eyes were soft. He didn't look angry, he just looked worried. Does he really care, or is this some trick to see if I can control my hunger? Well, if that's the case, I won't give him the pleasure of seeing me break.

Reid, figuring out I wasn’t going to listen, showed me his palm. His claws extended, and he ran his index finger down his palm, slicing deeply. Blood started running down his hand onto the floor. He was baiting me. I could hear his blood dripping onto the floor. My face distorted just at the sight of it; my lips parted, my fangs breaking through my gums painfully. I growled at him in warning, trying to tell him to back off, but he didn't even flinch. I took a breath through my mouth, my growls getting angrier like a predator about to attack its prey.

“It's okay, Aria. It's not a trick I promise.” Looking away, I closed my eyes, but my eyes snapped back to his when I heard his skin be resliced, only deeper. He was healing but reopening the wound. Teasing me. Obliterating what little self-control I had left. Why is he doing this to me? I felt tears brimming in my eyes, threatening to spill over. You are stronger than this Aria, you can do this, he is just trying to bait you.

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