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, shiningbrightly down on me, making a bead of sweat run down my neck. My head is pounding against myskull, heart throbbing in my ears. I could not remember if I were asleep or awake. I only rememberthe ceiling. Were my eyes already open or did I open them? Turning my head to the side, my headfelt heavy, and my limbs felt like they were held down by weights. The whole room appears to bewhite. Too bright for my eyes, so I close them. My eyelids felt heavy, and I was trying to concentrateon 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. Mythroat felt raw and dry like a desert. Inhaling the air slightly, I force myself to roll onto my side, whenI 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 feeton the tiled floor. Forcing my eyes up to see who it is, stopping briefly halfway, I notice they arewearing butterfly pyjamas. Why did they look familiar to me? My eyes search them trying to replace thenoise that is consuming the room and overwhelming my senses completely. I need to know whatthe sound is, such a sweet melodious noise. My eyes stop at their neck when I notice the steadymovement of a vein twitching, pulsating

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

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

Ryder - Reid's Wolf POV

Listening to my human speak venomously about our mate was scraping my insides. Hmm... hethinks he can go against the Moon Goddess. He is just my vessel, two minds for one body. I do notlike being in control of our human side. To me, it is just a pound of flesh, but I will not stand idly byand watch him obliterate our only chance at happiness. Foolish humans and their off-centreemotions. I observe from behind the veil of his mind, watching him lose control, waiting for mychance to overthrow him, to take full control. I have only had real control in my wolf form, not inthis weak sleeve. Yes, he lets me come forward but never gives in completely. He knows my taste forblood. Knows I will kill without hesitation, so I do not blame him. The human world and its politics Iknow nothing much about, so it is best he has control, but not now. Not when he is the one aboutto 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 tellZane he wants to kill our mate, I know with every fibre in my body that he means it. I understand hishate. I have always been with him, so I know his secrets, I know his anger, but she doesn't deservethat hate. She doesn’t deserve his wrath. I'm glad for Zane's distraction as Reid doesn't feel megetting closer. His fury and hatred shadow me until the last second. “I won't let you kill our mate.” Ipounce, gripping the teether we share and ripping him into the depths of our mind. He puts up afight, but even he recognises he won't win, not when he is fighting out of anguish. He isn’t thinkingstraight. Lunging forward, I shove him to the pits of darkness, where he likes to shove me when I getunder his skin. Lurching forward completely, I take control.

“Ryder, thank the Moon Goddess,” Zane exclaims. “I was wondering when you would appear. I knewI couldn't hold him forever.” I watch as Zanes grip on me relaxes before sagging against the door inrelief.

"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. Whenwe reach a black door, a nurse comes forward. Looking up, she goes to say something beforelooking directly at me. She does a double take before she takes a step back. Understanding Reid isno 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, “Dochas 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 leaningin, and from the angle it looks like she is about to cuddle the girl, except her eyes are no longer thevibrant green. They are the eyes of a predator about to kill its prey; they are now an orange burninglike 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 Ithought 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 overwhelmedwith bloodlust. When Doc walks in, taking in the scene before her, she holds up a bag of blood. Imotion for her to throw it to me. Doc obeys, tossing it. I catch it with my free hand, pulling her headas 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, bitingstraight 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 whenshe finishes the first. Aria is sitting on my lap. Pulling her closer and brushing her hair to the sideand out of her face with my fingers, I gaze down at her. She truly is an extraordinary creature. Whenshe grabs savagely for the second bag, I know I will never get a second chance. I sink my teeth intoher neck to mark her. The metallic aftertaste of her blood on my tongue brings me satisfaction, andI grow! softly before running my tongue along the mark to seal it. Aria collapses into my chest, theblood bag falling from her fingertips. I wait a few minutes before 1 lift her up bridal style and placeher back on the bed. Raising her hospital gown slightly, I watch as her lacerations close and all thebruising vanishes.

“She will be out for a while. A normal wolf's marking will take a toll on the body, but an Alpha’smark?” 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 Lilyis 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 tomyself. Reid cannot kill her now, not without killing us in the process. Feeling proud, smiling tomyself, I know now she will be safe from us.