Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall
Chapter 30

Aria's POV

The only sound was a collective gasp from everyone who was present. I held my breath when I saw David scramble back to his feet. He dusted himself off before rubbing his already bruising jaw. Michael's eyes flicked to my horrified ones, begging me to do something before this got out of hand.

But I didn’t have to, the most shocking thing happened when David clenched his jaw and walked back up the stairs and inside the house. Everyone kind of looked around confused by the Alpha just walking away from a fight. No one was more surprised than Alpha Reid.

“What? You are just going to walk away and be a coward?” Alpha David just kept walking ignoring Reid. Michael quickly followed behind. For the first time ever, I was actually proud of the way he handled himself. He didn't give in to his anger, he just simply got up and walked away not wanting to risk the agreement we have come up with. Maybe he really is going to try and right his wrongs. Looking around, my former Pack members eyes quickly darted away from the scene and they went back to patrolling, leaving just the Blood Moon Pack standing around. I must have missed an order through their Pack link since there were no threatening growls or any attacks from anyone. Reid's Pack looked tense like they were expecting retaliation, but there wasn't any. They all simply walked off like we weren't intruding on their land.

Walking over I went to place my hand one Reid's arm. He spun around so quickly and gripped my wrist before I made contact. His eyes burned with anger. If looks could kill, I would be a pile of dust by now. I wasn't sure if he was more pissed that David turned his back on him or my escape. I think it was a mixture of both.

Difference is if I walk away, he will chase after me. So instead, I calmly relaxed in his death grip. When I didn't pull away, Reid started dragging me towards the open rear door. Once we were close enough, he shoved me inside. I landed on the seat, my legs still hanging out the door. I moved to the other side of the car just as Reid sat down. He didn't say anything, but when I went to turn and place my feet on the ground, he gripped my ankle and yanked me towards him until I was half on his lap with one leg draped over him the other awkwardly bent next to him. Reid didn't let go. I watched the fall and rise of his chest while he tried to calm himself and his wolf down.

After a few minutes I tried to remove my leg that he gripped and was forcibly pulled back to the same position. When I heard a growl emit from him, I froze my movements and watched him warily. I could feel his hot breath on my neck.

Being around him is like walking on eggshells. My leg was starting to cramp from the position I was sitting in. Deciding to move, I sat in the middle seat trying to find a more comfortable position, when Reid suddenly pulled me completely onto his lap, so I was straddling him.

He dropped his head into the crook of my neck and started inhaling my scent. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, he started to relax after a few minutes. I had to hold back a moan when he started sucking on my mark, my eyes rolled into the back of my head just from his touch. Pulling away slightly, I looked around embarrassed. Zane was driving back to the Pack house but was paying no attention to us in the back seat. I tried to hop off his lap when his fingers dug painfully into my waist.

“You will not leave again without my permission. Do you understand?” His deep gravelly voice spoke just below my ear near my neck. I tried to get off his lap by pushing off his chest with my hands, but his strength was unrelenting as he held me in place with one arm, his other hand snaked out and gripped my chin forcing me to look at him.

“Do you understand?” he asked. His intense gaze made me gulp nervously. His eyes hardened when I didn't answer his grip on my chin tightening. I quickly nodded my head, not trusting my voice not to break if I answered out loud. He let my chin go and his grip on my waist loosened. I climbed off of him and scooted as far as the seat would allow away from him.

Reid turned his body so he could watch me, draping one arm along the backrest of the car. I looked in the mirror to be met with Zane's sympathetic eyes staring back at me before he quickly glanced away.

"What happened with Alpha David?" asked Reid. I had this entire scenario played out differently in my head. I wasn't expecting it to be so tense nor was I expecting him to punch David without giving me a chance to explain.

“It was about Lily,” I told him my voice firm, annoyed that he was treating me like I was some omega. Angry that he nearly ruined the deal I have with Alpha David.

"And?" Reid asked, annoyed at my answer. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at him, his way of talking down at me was starting to really get under my skin.

“And it doesn't concern you, David and I will organise things later around Lily's school schedule.” Reid growled at my response and my tone of voice. I knew I sounded bitchy, but what did he expect after the way he just treated me.

"When it's about you and Lily, it does concern me Aria. You are mine, now lose the attitude and tell me what is going on,”

“Really, lose the attitude? I'm sorry if I won't bow down to you. Until you start treating me like your equal, the attitude stays.” I retorted.

Reid reached over and gripped my arm. I see Zane glance nervously in the mirror before his eyes went back to the road. Through the bond, I could feel that he was a ticking time bomb, his rage just swirling inside him looking for an escape even Ryder was angry. Pissed off he didn't get the challenge from Alpha David like he hoped he would. Both of them were annoyed, feeling like I was challenging them.

I wasn't, but I also wasn't going to put up with their anger issues. Not wanting to be suffocated by his testosterone-fuelled rage at me, challenging him, I gripped the door handle and shoved the door open.

Ripping my arm out of Reid's grip, I jumped from the moving vehicle, Zane instantly hitting the brakes. My body collided with the rough gravel; I could feel my flesh being ripped away as I rolled along the road. The car behind us screeching to a stop about a metre off me. My clothes were torn, and I had cuts and scrapes covering every bit of exposed flesh, including my face. I was too angry to notice. I just wanted away from him, away from both of them.

Pushing up off the ground onto my hands and knees, I groaned. Maybe that wasn't the smartest idea I had thought of. Standing up, I dusted myself off pulling small rocks out that were embedded in my hands, I turned and started walking towards the forest that led to the Pack house. I could hear people's rushed voices calling after me before the car that nearly hit me left, driving towards the Pack house.

Reid screamed at me, demanding I come back to the car, but I was not in the mood to deal with him. I ignored him and kept walking. Next thing I know I am being knocked down onto the grass from behind as Reid barrelled into me. Hitting the grass with an oomph as the air was knocked out of me. Reid rolled me over onto my back; I just stared, dazed.

“Where do you think you're going little one?”

“Where do you think I'm going... Home. Now get off me.”

Reid glared down at me, challenging me. I glared back at him, not submitting. When he realised I wasn't going to back down he growled warningly at me, but I just growled back. How dare he challenge me. We are meant to be mates, equals. I don't own him just as he doesn’t own me. I won't submit to him or anybody. I'm not going to be his little bitch that he can treat like garbage then think I will forgive his brutish behaviour.

When I growled back, Ryders eyes peered back at me. Ryder may love me, but Alpha’s don't like to be challenged even by their Luna. Most Luna's are submissive to their mates. I'm not a normal wolf, I'm Lycan and not going to back down to him whether he is my mate or not. Ryder seemed to realise that I could tell Reid was fighting for control, his eyes flickering between him and his beast. I shoved him to the side and went to get up when hands gripped my shoulder's pulling me back down.

Ryder pulled me, so my back was pressed against his chest, his arms holding my arms at my side, I felt him move my hair over my shoulder, exposing my neck to him.

Suddenly feeling teeth bite down harshly on my neck, trying to get me to submit, I struggle against him when I feel his canines bite through my flesh harder pinning me in place. Ryder growled menacingly at me, but I refused to submit. When I felt him bite deeper, I could feel the blood start to run down my neck and arm, any harder he could rip my arm off.

His growling got louder, trying to force me to give in. Instead, I pivot, his teeth ripping harshly out of my shoulder and neck. Gripping him I bite him back, I sink my teeth into his neck, but the blood loss from his bite starts to make me woozy as I feel myself getting sleepy, I drop to my side my body feeling like it's being weighed down.

Why didn't I just let Ryder win? I knew better than to challenge a wolf. Reid is one thing, Ryder is completely different. The wolf side loves the chase and loves a challenge, but one thing they won't do is show weakness, especially in front of their mate. So, me challenging Reid brought Ryder forward.

I feel my body being lifted, and my head hits Reid's shoulder as I fight to stay conscious. I can feel movement before I am placed on his lap. Hearing the car door close I know I'm back in the car on Reid's lap. I could hear Zane speaking.

“Luna alright, Alpha?”

"Yeah, she just bit off more than she can chew with Ryder, she just needs blood,”

I feel the engine start and the car move. When I give into exhaustion.

I'm nice and warm. My skin feels like it's vibrating, tingles are spreading down my sides where Reid's hand is drawing patterns in my skin. I leave my eyes closed, enjoying the sensations and my heightened senses. I breathe in his intoxicating scent. His masculine smell making my mouth water. I can tell we are laying on our sides, my face resting on his arm, his breath fanning my face. Wriggling closer Reid tucks my head under his chin, pulling me tighter to his chest.

I growl low, almost a purr at our closeness, I have an overwhelming need to taste him, running my nose along his chest, I lift my head and start licking and sucking his neck softly. He moves onto his back, pulling me with him, so I'm lying on his chest. I breathe in his scent, which is teasing me, making me thirstier. My eyes still closed; I run my nose along his collarbone, breathing him in. Reid pulls me up higher, so we are face to face. I open my eyes to see Reid's soft gaze staring at me. I lean in and kiss his lips softly, his fingers softly drawing circles on my lower back.

Dropping my head back on his chest, I listen to his heartbeat thump in his chest, my own heart falling in sync with his.

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