Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall
Chapter 48

Reid's POV

I watched as she slept, I picked up her limp body. Guilt eating away at me, I could feel Ryder pressing against my skin. Itching to be released. I placed her on our bed, leaning down, I nuzzled into her neck. God, I loved this woman, but damn she infuriated me. I sometimes have to remember she didn't have the childhood she deserved, didn't have the support she craved. I inhaled her scent, Ryder instantly settling down. I placed my hand on her stomach, the slightest bump on her lower abdomen. I could hear the steady heartbeat of the life she was carrying. I knew Aria would be a great mother, I can't grasp why she would doubt her ability. Aria always puts her life second to Lily, no matter the consequences. I know she will be protective of our pup. I would lay my life down for all three of them. Lily was as much hers as she was David's, their bond was unbreakable. I know Aria feared that I made the wrong choice, but I know she will come around. I can sense the change in David, the bitterness of the loss of his mate now leaving, and his love slowly being given to Lily where it should have gone in the first place. I was envious of the bond they had formed in the last couple of weeks.

How he was able to pull himself from whatever dark place he was in. My father was not so lucky, he couldn't live without my mother, not even for me. I brushed her hair out of her face and tucked the blanket around her. I heard the front door; I knew instantly it was Zane. What I didn't understand was why he was here. Something must have happened, for him to barge in when he was under strict orders to steer clear. I raced downstairs, Zane's appearance was dishevelled his clothes torn and barely staying on him. “What's happened?”

Zane tried to catch his breath, his hands on his knees while he was bent over. I mind linked him, knowing he was too out of breath to talk.

"Zane?"

“They attacked, there were too many of them. They took them, oh god Reid, they took her.”

Panic coursed through my veins, my body tensing. I glanced up the stairs, knowing Aria was up there sleeping, unaware of the shit storm that just blew in. The timing couldn't be worse.

“Took who? Who took them?”

“My mate, oh god they took Christine. They had tranquilisers, we couldn't do anything. They took Christine and Wendy.”

“What about Amber?”

“She is fine. Mitch ran with her taking her to the Black Moon Pack, she is with Lily” I felt instant relief knowing, the kids were at least safe.

“What happened?” I was already moving, my fingers moving a hundred miles an hour, texting the entire Pack to meet.

“The Hunters. They want Aria, Reid. They said they will kill them if we don’t hand her over. They were watching the house as soon as we got inside the entire property was surrounded, they kicked the doors in and let off Wolfsbane grenades. Mitch grabbed Amber when I told them to run, but I couldn't stop them, I tried. I fucking Tried. But I WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH!" his voice screaming in my head. His anger boiling over, before crushing him. He was dying inside with guilt, dying with the thought of what they could possibly be doing with his mate.

“This isn't your fault we will get them back, Zane. I won't let them hurt your mate or Wendy.”

Zane nodded, putting his complete faith in me. Ryder was hackled up in my head growling. “I am going to fucking slaughter the lot them” His growl ripping out of me before I felt the shift take over. I didn't fight it, I let him out. His instincts were to kill and take back what belonged to us. They were part of my Pack, and nobody fucking takes from me. Not unless they have a death wish. I looked up the stairs. I have to protect them, I will not let anyone touch what's mine.

"Go to the Black Moon Pack, take Aria with you. Warn them. Tell them to get ready, we are about to go to war.” I took off knowing Zane would get Aria out of here and to safety. I have complete trust in him. He feels like he failed them, but I know he would have fought until his last breath if given the chance. I know if he did, they would have killed him.

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