chapter 17
Aria’s POV
Getting up off the ground, I shoved past him. I didn’t get far before his hand reached out to grab my shoulder. Spinning around, I grabbed him and pushed him. He flew backwards and landed on his back on the bed. Climbing on top of him, my legs straddling either side of his hips, anger and fear began taking over.
“Is this what you want? To see me break, to lose control? So, you can prove I’m the monster you think I am, to give you a reason to kill me?” I screamed. Lifting his shoulders, I slammed him back onto the bed.
He had a look on his face I was having trouble deciphering. He didn’t look happy, just concerned, sad. Reaching his hand up, he placed it on my cheek, his thumb tracing the veins that were exposed under my eyes. His touch sent shivers down my spine. My body wanted to lean into his touch, but I refused, pulling back. I watched him; his hand dropped to my hip, squeezing it lightly.
“I don’t want to break you. Just let go and give me control, Aria. I…. It’s hard, but I can’t reject you. You’re not like them, I know this now.” His voice was soft.
“Not like all the Hybrid’s you killed. What did they do that has you hating us so much that you would be sick enough to exterminate us completely? You want control? You’re an idiot if you think I will give you control. People only want control because it’s power over the other person, something to use against them,” I spoke through gritted teeth.
“I wouldn’t do that; the mate bond wouldn’t let me. Why can’t you see that? I was wrong, what I did was wrong. I know that now.”
Pfft, I refuse to bow down to anyone anymore. I’m sick of being a pawn in everyone else’s game, sick of hiding, sick of fighting what I am. As I was about to climb off him, he sat up, holding me in place. I went to shove him back with my hands, but he gripped both my wrists, holding them firmly to my sides. He lent in and placed a kiss on my jaw.
My eyes widened before they closed, a moan escaping my lips. His head dipped lower, kissing my neck. Reaching up, he grabbed my hair, wrapping his fingers in it softly pulling, giving him better access to my neck. I could feel his erection pressing against his jeans. I inhaled his scent, arousal flooding me mixed with hunger. Pulling back, he looked up at me. I hadn’t realised I was growling at him. Not in anger but hunger and desire, both fighting against each other not sure which was going to win.
Reid pulled my face down so we were looking at each other, his eyes holding mine. Desire coursed through me as he leaned in, kissing my lips softly. His lips moving against mine filled with desire. I answered his kiss. Kissing back fiercely, both of us fought for dominance. My hands moved to his chest, and I ran them along his shoulders. His arms wrapped securely around my waist, pulling me closer. Kissing him behind the ear, I heard him moan against my shoulder.
Moving closer to his neck, hunger took over, devouring my senses. My fangs pressed against his flesh. I tried to pull back, to run, to stop from hurting him. His grip only tightened, one of his hands reached into my hair, holding my face to his neck.
“Shhh…. it’s okay Ari, let go. I won’t let you kill me,” he whispered, pressing his lips on my cheekbone. Hearing him use my nickname and the tenderness in his voice, I let go. My walls came crumbling down, no longer scared, no longer hiding what I am. Trust, something I never thought I was capable of, trusting someone completely and of all people, I truly did, at this moment, trust him. Sinking my fangs into his neck, his blood rushed into my mouth. I gulped it down greedily, yet he didn’t scream like I thought he would. Instead he moaned, pressing me tighter against his chest.
I could feel his emotions flooding into me: love, acceptance, desire. His intoxicating scent was nothing compared to how he tasted. I could taste every emotion he felt, making me want more. I was sure I could get drunk on his taste. Pulling back before he had a chance to, I ran my tongue along my bite. I watched as it sealed but remained the same as the mark he gave me, marking him. I didn’t realise I had tears running down my cheeks until he wiped them away before kissing me.
Rolling me on to my back, he kissed me harder, his legs pushing between my thighs. I could feel the bulge in his pants pushing against my core, moaning loudly at the friction. His hands running beneath my shirt until they reached my breasts, my nipples hardening under his touch. Pulling my shirt off, he sat up, looking down at me. There was so much in the way he was looking at me. I could feel how much he wanted to touch me. How much he loved me, how much he wanted me. He didn’t hate me. Just how had I been so blind to see it. His love for me outweighed the anger he had for my kind.
I pulled him down, pulling his hips into mine. I arched my back, wanting more when I felt his teeth graze my nipple as he took it in his mouth. I wanted him, all of him. I don’t know why I felt so bold. Reaching for his belt buckle, I started undoing it, my hands shaking. Seeing me struggle, he gripped my hands, holding them in one hand above my head. He hungrily kissed my neck before I felt his hand push inside my pants, slipping his fingers between my wet lips, leaving me moaning against his touch. He rubbed his fingers in a circular motion around my clit, my core throbbing in anticipation as he slipped a finger into my flooding hole.
“You like that?” His husky voice sent thrills all through my body. I didn’t respond, my moans were my answer. Opening my eyes, he was watching me, seeing my reaction.
A seductive smile appeared on his lips. He slipped another finger in, curling his fingers, hitting my g-spot, my hips moving against his fingers as he slipped them in out. My skin started to burn up. My legs began to shake as I could feel my release coming, just sitting on the edge building up until I felt my walls clamp down on his fingers. He slowed his movements, letting me ride out my orgasm. Slipping his hands out of my pants, my face flushed when I watched him suck his fingers clean, tasting me on his fingers. Kissing my neck, he sat up. I just laid there never feeling so relaxed as I did now.
“You might want to get up, we have company.” His voice ran clear in my mind. Shocked, I looked over at him. He had a cheeky smile on his face.
“Did you just mind-link me?” I asked. Instead of answering out loud, he mind-linked instead.
“Yes, I did. You’re part of this Pack now that you have marked me. You are my Luna.”
I blushed all the blood rushing to my face thinking back to me marking him. Now everyone will know what we just did. How embarrassing.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” I couldn’t help it though; I was never one for public displays of affection. Looking at the mark on his neck, it was red, angry. It was no longer bleeding but clearly on display, much to my horror. Seeing how uncomfortable I was becoming, he put out his hand. I gladly accepted it, letting him pull me to my feet.
“Why are you so uncomfortable? If you’re this embarrassed now, I would hate to see how uncomfortable you will get after the mating ceremony.” The mating ceremony oh my god, how awkward. Now I’m glad we didn’t have sex. The whole Pack would know, be able to smell his scent on me, claiming me as his.
“Are you a virgin?” he asked. I stared back mortified, and he chuckled softly.
“Well sorry, but I have been a bit busy raising my sister. I didn’t have time to being throwing myself at randoms,” I said sarcastically, trying to hide my embarrassment. His eyes glazed over, his wolf taking charge. Gripping me, he pulled me to him, crushing me against his chest. I relaxed in his hold before someone awkwardly cleared their throat. If I had been paying attention, I would have heard them come in. Stepping back, Reid’s eyes were back to normal, his wolf no longer holding control. Looking over at the door, I saw it was Zane.
“Lily wants to know if she can go see Zoe?” he asked, raising his eyebrow a small smirk playing on his lips as he took in my dishevelled appearance. I nodded, embarrassed, walking past him to go search for Lily.