Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall novel Chapter 35

Aria’s POV

Once back at the house, we headed straight towards the kitchen. I brewed coffee while David went and took a seat at the table. Mitch just lingered in the kitchen watching, keeping a watchful eye. David’s whole demeanour changed once I sat across from him. He suddenly became extremely nervous like he didn’t know how to start. I sipped my coffee and watched as he did the same. He kept glancing towards Mitch like he didn’t want to speak in front of him.

“Does your friend need to stay?” he asked. I looked towards Mitch who was sitting at the counter reading the newspaper, having heard David speak, he looked up.

“I’m not going anywhere, so pretend I’m not here,” he confirmed what I already knew. Reid had given him strict orders that under no circumstances I was to be left alone with Alpha David.

David realising this turned back to me while Mitch turned back to his newspaper and coffee.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked, breaking the silence that seemed to be drawing on. I just wanted to get this over with.

“Well first, I wanted to say thank you for allowing me to try and form a relationship with Lily, I know it must be hard considering the past,” I scoffed at his use of words, he was really trying not to mention any details, but at least he was attempting to apologise. Seeing my reaction, he put his head down. “Look Aria, I wasn’t all bad. Before your mother died, I was a good stepfather, a good husband. It was just difficult after your mother died. I couldn’t cope with losing her. I loved your mother, Aria.”

“I know that, David, I do. I understand to a certain point now. I spoke to Reid; his father never recovered from losing his mate either. Now having Reid, I can’t imagine life without him. That’s not my problem though. I know who you are capable of being. I also know what you’re capable of doing. I won’t allow Lily to be put through that again. I know she is your daughter, but I am the one who raised her.”

David seemed to be thinking, I could tell he was uncomfortable with being called out for his shit, and I could also see he really was trying to apologise for his actions.

“I do have a question for you, though,” I said. He lifted his head and looked at me, his face unreadable. “Why didn’t you tell me about Zoe? Why did you stop her from being a part of our lives?”

David sat back in the chair like he was trying to find the words. “If you knew about Zoe, you could have left, and she was a part of your mother’s old life, the life she had with your father. I guess I was jealous that your mother loved someone other than me. I made it no secret that I felt betrayed that she had a child with someone who wasn’t her mate, so I made her cut ties with her family.” I was appalled at his reasoning. He basically made my mother choose her family or her mate, which it’s almost impossible to go against the mate bond.

David seemed to grow tense under my glare. I didn’t even realise I was glaring at him until I saw him look to Mitch, who was already on his feet staring at me. I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths through my nose, I could feel my fangs protruding and taste my own blood in my mouth. Regaining control, I relaxed. That was the first time I had actually managed to gain full control of my emotions and instincts. David's answer was so selfish it made my blood boil.

Once I was settled down, I grabbed my coffee and let the burn from the scolding liquid distract me from ripping him apart. I had no doubt in my mind now that if it came to that, I could easily overpower and kill him. I couldn’t do that though I had to think of Lily.

“So, after Mum died, what was your excuse for not letting her see us? And don’t say it was me running off because you and I both know I would never leave Lily in your care.” He went to protest but shut his mouth.

“Well after your mother died, I just didn’t see the point in bringing it up. You lived without her, so what’s the point? Then when you started working there, I was quite shocked she didn’t tell.”

“She didn’t say anything because she knew I would never leave Lily behind, and also so you wouldn’t stop us from seeing her. She didn’t care what sort of contact she had with us, she just wanted to be a part of our lives.” David nodded his head in understanding. Listening to my words before speaking again.

“Well… so how do we go about this whole custody agreement?”

“What agreement, David? I haven’t agreed to anything. Lily will remain with me until you either prove yourself, or she is old enough to choose.”

“But surely, we can organise some routine so I can spend some time with her, or maybe even a time when you and Lily come and stay at the Pack house, so she is still around her Pack members?”

Mitch seemed to stiffen at the last part. There would be little chance of Reid ever letting me go back to my old Pack. “You would have to speak to Reid about that, David.”