Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall

Chapter 12

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?”

“She should still be with the nurses.”

“Lead the way then.” Zane turns and starts walking down the hall, and I follow closely behind. When we

reach a black door, a nurse comes forward. Looking up, she goes to say something before looking

directly at me. She does a double take before she takes a step back. Understanding Reid is no longer

in control before bowing her head slightly, revealing her neck in a sign of submission. “Alpha, I didn’t

realise we would be seeing you.” Looking down at her hands, she continues, “Doc has just stepped out

to gather some blood for your mate.”

I nod in understanding “The girl?”

“She is with her sister.” Using my wolf senses, I listen. I can hear Lily talking.

“Aria, it’s me.” I hear her sob in distress. Kicking the door open, I ran into the room. Aria is leaning in,

and from the angle it looks like she is about to cuddle the girl, except her eyes are no longer the vibrant

green. They are the eyes of a predator about to kill its prey; they are now an orange burning like

embers of flame.

Without hesitation, I tackle her around the shoulders, plummeting to the ground against the wall, her

back pressed against my chest. I feel her fangs sink into my forearm. Her bite is not painful like I

thought it would be, it must be a mate thing. Aria lets out a moan that vibrates through her chest, biting

down hungrily. I can feel her sucking, hear her swallowing. She is completely overwhelmed with

bloodlust. When Doc walks in, taking in the scene before her, she holds up a bag of blood. I motion for

her to throw it to me. Doc obeys, tossing it. I catch it with my free hand, pulling her head as gently as

possible from my arm to get her attention.

I pierce the bag slightly with my nail. Smelling the bag of blood she rips it from my hand, biting straight

into the side. Blood spurts out like a burst water balloon all over her face and mine. Knowing it will not

last long enough, I motion for the doc who throws a second bag, ready for when she finishes the first.

Aria is sitting on my lap. Pulling her closer and brushing her hair to the side and out of her face with my

fingers, I gaze down at her. She truly is an extraordinary creature. When she grabs savagely for the

second bag, I know I will never get a second chance. I sink my teeth into her neck to mark her. The

metallic aftertaste of her blood on my tongue brings me satisfaction, and I growl softly before running

my tongue along the mark to seal it. Aria collapses into my chest, the blood bag falling from her

fingertips. I wait a few minutes before I lift her up bridal style and place her back on the bed. Raising

her hospital gown slightly, I watch as her lacerations close and all the bruising vanishes.

“She will be out for a while. A normal wolf’s marking will take a toll on the body, but an Alpha’s mark?”

She looks down at my sleeping mate. “I think she will be out for the rest of the night.” Nodding I tuck the

blanket around her, kissing the top of her head before walking out to where Lily is in the hall.

“Reid?”

“No, I’m Ryder. Come on, how about we get you to bed.”

Lily hesitated. “When is Reid coming back?” she asked. I must be scaring her.

“I’m sure he will be back by morning; he doesn’t like to be kept in the dark for long.” I chuckled to

myself. Reid cannot kill her now, not without killing us in the process. Feeling proud, smiling to myself, I

know now she will be safe from us.