Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall novel Chapter 16

Reid’s POV

Walking in, seeing her on the ground, I couldn’t help the pull I felt towards her, even after knowing what she is. The mysterious mate bond had other plans. I am supposed to hate her, but being in front of her, the bond won’t allow that. Only the need for her. Her feelings of disbelief, surprise, understanding, then lust all flowing into me through the bond. I could feel every emotion rolling off her and into me. Her desires becoming mine. When she moved towards me, I could feel her intention. She just needed to be close, to touch me. I could feel Ryder pushing me to give in to her, which aggravated me, distracting me enough to think clearly to realise my reason for being here wasn’t to snuggle up with some bloody Hybrid. I grabbed her wrists before she made contact.

I felt Ryder jump at me trying to fight me for control, but I held strong, too strong. I didn’t realise I was squeezing her wrists so tightly until I felt her bone-crushing pain sink into me through the bond. Letting go abruptly, she stumbled to the floor, landing on her ass. I could feel her embarrassment, then sadness leaking through the bond, I could smell the saltiness of the tears she tried to hide. Ryder kept pushing for control. He was screaming in my head, angry. I only came in here to find out who she was running from. Instead, this shit happens, making everything more awkward than it needed to be. Seeing her hurt gaze staring back at me, I couldn’t handle it any longer. Turning my back on her, I walked out the door, locking it behind me. Going back to my office, Zane was standing against the office door.

“We have a problem, Alpha.”

“What is it?” I snap, pushing past him into the office.

“The Black Moon Pack have been at the border. They want permission to look for some Pack members that escaped,”

“Let me guess, a woman and child?”

“Yes, Boss.”

Aria’s POV

After Alpha Reid left, I was locked in for most of the day. Wendy came in a few times to check on me, but other than her, I spent the rest of the day alone plotting our escape. In the afternoon, I got that chance. Wendy came in and said the rest of the Pack had to go out on Pack business and that I could explore the Packhouse. When she left the door wide open, I thought it was a trick. Fifteen minutes had passed when I realised the door wasn’t going to be slammed in my face, and I couldn’t hear anyone loitering behind the door or in the hall.

Stepping into the hall, I felt soft carpet under my feet instead of the cold tile floor in the hospital room. The hallway walls are a soft light grey colour with white trims and black dome lights hanging from the ceiling. I walked down the hall until I came to what I thought was the end but was actually just an open ceiling and balcony overlooking the floor below. Peering over, I could see the foyer below and hear children playing. Walking down the huge white staircase to the floor below, I followed the noises into some sort of media and games room. I watched for a little while before walking in and interrupting the children’s fun. Lily was playing Mario Kart with another little girl. Seeing me walk in and standing behind the huge lounge, she jumped up, bringing her new friend with her. “Amber, this is Ari, my sister.”

Amber had dark straight hair that was cut just above her shoulders and pale skin with rosy red cheeks. She looked like a porcelain doll.

“Hi, I’m Ari,” I told her, waving to her. She shyly waved back before taking off back to her spot on the giant navy-blue horseshoe-shaped lounge. Sitting down, she grabbed her controller and resumed playing. Just as Lily was about to go back and play, I pulled her aside.

“This may be our only chance to leave, we have to take it.”

Lily shook her head. “I don’t want to leave Ari, I like it here!” she yelled, crossing her arms over her chest and pouting.

“We can’t stay here, Lily, we have to leave,” I said, grabbing her arm, pulling her gently towards the stairs to retrieve the bag so we could leave.

“No, I’m not going!” Lily yelled and took off up the stairs. Just as Lily took off, Wendy walked in. Just my luck, now I must find Lily and not tip Wendy off to our departure. Turning to Wendy, I plastered the fakest smile I could muster.