Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall novel Chapter 13

Aria’s POV

The ceiling, I remember the ceiling. All I can see is the fluorescent light above my head, shining brightly down on me, making a bead of sweat run down my neck. My head is pounding against my skull, heart throbbing in my ears. I could not remember if I were asleep or awake. I only remember the ceiling. Were my eyes already open or did I open them? Turning my head to the side, my head felt heavy, and my limbs felt like they were held down by weights. The whole room appears to be white. Too bright for my eyes, so I close them. My eyelids felt heavy, and I was trying to concentrate on breathing, sucking a big breath in to fill my lungs before I let it out again.

Hearing a single click, I try to turn to look in the direction it came from, but I felt too heavy. My throat felt raw and dry like a desert. Inhaling the air slightly, I force myself to roll onto my side, when I hear a noise like a hummingbird’s wings flapping hard against the wind. I focus on the noise, opening my eyes slightly, and I see a figure standing next to a black door. I can see their bare feet on the tiled floor. Forcing my eyes up to see who it is, stopping briefly halfway, I notice they are wearing butterfly pyjamas. Why did they look familiar to me? My eyes search them trying to find the noise that is consuming the room and overwhelming my senses completely. I need to know what the sound is, such a sweet melodious noise. My eyes stop at their neck when I notice the steady movement of a vein twitching, pulsating.

I watch captivated as the vein pulses to the rhythm of the fluttering, completely mesmerised by the sweet sound vowing to satisfy my thirst. I inhale the smell of the sweet-smelling liquid emanating through their veins calling to me. Promising me everything I have ever craved. Promising to extinguish the burn in my throat.

Standing up, I move on instinct following the alluring scent. When I am in front of them, I can hear inaudible noises like talking, but I could not comprehend what they were saying. All I could focus on was the hypnotic sound of their blood that flows through their veins. Lifting my hand, I caressed the white flesh of their neck lightly with my fingers. They shuddered under my touch, fear only making their delectable scent sweeter. Gripping their shoulders, I tugged them to me, leaning down and brushing my lips against their soft, warm skin. Just as I was about to sink my fangs into their neck and drink their sweet nectar of life, the door was thrown open, making me pull back. Uncontrollable hunger seized me. All I saw was red. The intruder grabbed me roughly around the shoulders, and my mouth was jammed against warm flesh, sinking my fangs into it. My senses became overloaded when the warm sweet taste of blood flooded into my mouth, soothing my painful dry throat. A soft satisfied moan almost like a purr rumbled through my chest as I gulped down the most delightful soothing liquid ravenously.

Ryder - Reid’s Wolf POV

Listening to my human speak venomously about our mate was scraping my insides. Hmm… he thinks he can go against the Moon Goddess. He is just my vessel, two minds for one body. I do not like being in control of our human side. To me, it is just a pound of flesh, but I will not stand idly by and watch him obliterate our only chance at happiness. Foolish humans and their off-centre emotions. I observe from behind the veil of his mind, watching him lose control, waiting for my chance to overthrow him, to take full control. I have only had real control in my wolf form, not in this weak sleeve. Yes, he lets me come forward but never gives in completely. He knows my taste for blood. Knows I will kill without hesitation, so I do not blame him. The human world and its politics I know nothing much about, so it is best he has control, but not now. Not when he is the one about to give in to his hatred.

Aria is ours; Aria is mine. I watch as he destroys the office. I don’t fight, but when I hear him tell Zane he wants to kill our mate, I know with every fibre in my body that he means it. I understand his hate. I have always been with him, so I know his secrets, I know his anger, but she doesn’t deserve that hate. She doesn’t deserve his wrath. I’m glad for Zane’s distraction as Reid doesn’t feel me getting closer. His fury and hatred shadow me until the last second. “I won’t let you kill our mate.” I pounce, gripping the teether we share and ripping him into the depths of our mind. He puts up a fight, but even he recognises he won’t win, not when he is fighting out of anguish. He isn’t thinking straight. Lunging forward, I shove him to the pits of darkness, where he likes to shove me when I get under his skin. Lurching forward completely, I take control.

“Ryder, thank the Moon Goddess,” Zane exclaims. “I was wondering when you would appear. I knew I couldn’t hold him forever.” I watch as Zane’s grip on me relaxes before sagging against the door in relief.

“Where is my mate?” Zane, standing up straight, straightens his shirt, wiping off some invisible dust.

“She is in the infirmary.”

“And Lily?”