Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall Chapter 22

Aria’s POV

Reid grabbed my other ankle and flipped me over so I was belly down on the bed. I squirmed, trying to break his hold on my ankles. Reid growled at me warningly before gripping my hips and pulling them towards him. My feet were forced to the ground while the rest of my body was draped over the bed. Lifting myself up onto my elbows, he forced me back down. Pushing his hand between my shoulder blades to hold me in place.

Reid then pushed his groin into me. I could feel the bulge of his erection pressing against my ass. Stepping back a bit, he ran his other hand up my thigh. Stopping at my shorts, his fingertips moving along my panty line between my legs teasingly, sending delightful shivers to my core. Removing his hand from beneath my shorts, he started rubbing my arse, making me quiver everywhere he touched. I could feel my underwear becoming moist. I pushed into his hand, shaking my ass at him.

His palm came down, connecting with my ass cheek. I could feel his handprint burning into my flesh. It stung, but it also turned me on even more. Reid rubbed his hand over where he slapped. His hand then finding its way back into my shorts, using his fingers, he pushed my panties to the side before sliding his fingers between my wet lips. Reid bent over me; I could feel his breath on my neck below my ear.

“You liked that?” he growled, before shoving his finger inside me, making me moan out loud. Pulling his finger out slowly, he pushed another finger inside me. My body quivered at his touch, becoming more aroused. I want more.

Then his fingers were gone, his touch was gone. Rolling over, I looked up at him. Reid’s eyes were glazed over, telling me he was mind-linking someone. The look on his face was pure rage. His eyebrows furrowed together. His canines protruded. Hair was spreading across his arms. I watched as his nails turned into claws. His breathing got deeper and faster. He was fighting himself for control. A terrifying growl ripped through him, vibrating through his chest. I flinched and pulled away. His eyes darting to me. The glazed look left instantly. His eyes softened. Reid walked towards the door. Getting to my feet, I went to follow him.

Just as I was about to ask what was going on, he spun around. His eyes pinning me to the spot.

“You stay here, and don’t leave this room.”

“What’s going on Reid?”

“Nothing you need to know about. Just for once do as your bloody told.” He walked out the door, pulling it closed behind him. I heard the latch click over. He locked the door. Rolling my eyes at his abrupt change of mood. I don’t know why he expects the door to keep me in. Maybe a deterrent, but it isn’t Hybrid proof. Deciding to give him a head start at whatever was bothering him, I opened my mind feeling for Wendy through the link. I could feel her wolf. It was restless.

“Wendy, why has Reid locked me in the room? What is going on?”

Wendy didn’t answer straight away. I could tell she was trying to fight my Alpha command.

“Wendy, do not make me ask again.” I could feel every fibre of her being trying to shake off the command, but she wouldn’t be able to hold for much longer. Her wolf was whining, wanting her to give into me, and she did.

“Why are you making me go against him? I can’t tell you; he doesn’t want you involved.”

“Wendy, what is going on?” I emphasised every word. Saying them slowly, forcing my Alpha command on her. I heard her wolf whimper through the link, making me feel bad. I know it is painful for her trying to fight against my will.

“Alpha David and his Pack are at the border.” The words spilled out like word vomit. I could hear cars leaving. Moving fast.

“What’s happening then?”

“Alpha is going to warn him or…”

“Or what? Wendy-”

“Wipe them out. He sent all our warriors to the border.”

I gasped shocked. The Blood Moon Pack would annihilate the Black Moon Pack. They weren’t big enough or trained enough to go against the Blood Moon Pack. Why would David do this? It was suicide. I couldn’t let Reid’s Pack slaughter everyone. I may not be a part of that Pack anymore, but I still considered them to be family. As weird as it sounds, it is the only family we have known. And a lot of the Pack members are good people. I also couldn’t let Reid kill Alpha David; he is Lily’s father. But what can I do? I know Reid will lose it if I command everyone to stand down. He would never forgive me for taking his authority from him. I may be Luna, but this is rightfully his Pack.

Trying to think, I heard the door click unlocking. Lily walked in, tears running down her face. Wendy walked in behind her; her head was down. “Lily, what’s wrong?”

“Reid is going to hurt Uncle Michael,” she sobbed. Damn it I was going to kill Reid. That’s if my idea doesn’t get me killed first.

“No, Lily. I am going to fix this.” Lily looked up at me hopeful. Quickly hugging her, I walked towards the door. Wendy gripped my arm, stopping me as I walked out. “It’s fine, Wendy. Don’t warn the Alpha,” I said, forcing my Alpha command on her.

Wendy’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you warn them, you know he will come after me.” Wendy nodded her head. I felt terrible, Wendy was my best friend here. I hate causing her pain. I hate putting her in this position where she has been forced to choose between her Alpha and her Luna.

Running down the stairs and out the front door, I ran towards the tree line. The border was half an hour away by car. I could run there in a quarter of the time. Then I just have to convince them to go back to the Pack house and try not to kill or be killed by one of Alpha David’s Pack warriors, and hope they are still in human form so I can speak with them.

Sprinting through the forest, I came to a hill. I could see the convoy of SUV’s driving along the dirt road below. Cutting straight across through the trees, I raced across the paddocks, overtaking them. I remained hidden in the tree line. I ran towards the city. Reid must have felt my heart rate picking up, sensing I was up to something because I could feel Wendy whimpering not giving in to his commands and threats. I felt him trying to force a link between us, but I just pushed back harder. Running faster, I came to the edge of the city, heading east towards the border. The sun was starting to go down. I knew by the time I reached the border, it would be dark. Running through the streets, I slowed down a bit. I knew the border couldn’t be too far from here. The streets were starting to look seedier. The north side was what I used to call the posh area. The street I was currently running down definitely wasn’t part of the north side. Some of the houses were burnt out, and there was rubbish strewn across the streets. Lawns overgrown, gardens completely overgrown with weeds. There was even a burnt-out van on the corner of the street. Running to the end of the street, I looked for a street sign.

Melrose street. I was already over the border. I hadn’t realised I had crossed over it. Which meant they would know I have crossed the border already. Slowing to a stop, I waited. I listened to the noises trying to pick up any movement. It didn’t take long before I heard the ferocious growls of my former Pack members. The street was completely dark now. The broken streetlights didn’t offer any light. No light from any of the abandoned houses. The only light came from the moon. It was a full moon tonight, making it seem eerier than normal, or maybe it was the fact I am standing in an abandoned street.

When the first wolf stepped out in front of me, I could tell it was a Pack warrior by its size. They send warriors when they sense a threat. The only problem was, I am no threat to them. I just want to talk, and hurting one of them was only going to cause a war.

When another 2 wolves stepped out, I placed my hands in the air, surrendering. Falling to my knees, I watched them circle around me. The biggest one, a grey one, came up to me, baring its teeth. Growling in my face, I stared it down, making sure not to move to suddenly. He pushed me with his nose, trying to get a reaction out of me.

“I’m not here to fight. I just need to speak to Alpha David.”

The wolves all growled, stepping closer. Closing in on me, they must think I’m threatening the Alpha. This wasn’t working, I couldn’t talk to them. I wasn’t a Pack member. I didn’t understand what they were saying. “I’m not here to start anything. I just need to talk to my stepfather.” The last word rolled off my tongue, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. But it seemed to get the attention. The grey wolf stopped in front of me. My heart rate slowed down, and I listened as theirs did too. I could hear their breathing. Hear their blood moving throughout their bodies. I calmed my mind, trying to come up with a way to get them to understand.

“What do you think? Should we take her to the Alpha?”

“Call for Michael, he will know what to do with her.” Glancing behind me, I looked to see who was talking. But it was only the three wolves in the street. No one in human form except myself.

“Call Michael. He can verify who I am. My name is Aria,” I pleaded.

“How did she know what we were mind-linking?” asked the red wolf, who was standing behind me.

I looked at the grey one, he stepped forward right into my face.

“Can you hear us?”

I nodded my head. I could hear them but couldn’t push the link back. I don’t know how, but right now I didn’t care. I just needed to get to Alpha David. I waited as they linked Michael.

“Follow us,” the grey wolf demanded.

I followed them all the way to the Pack house. I knew Alpha Reid wouldn’t be far off the border. I just needed to find out what Alpha David wanted and try to create an arrangement with him. To try and stop this war that will come if he tries to challenge Reid.

Walking up the Pack house driveway, I was hit with a sense of déjà vu. The last time I was here, I was running from the place not trying to break into it. The Pack house looked the same, still an oversized farmhouse. Standing up on top of the porch was Michael. He had a distressed look on his face. He was standing next to Alpha David. Alpha David had his arms folded across his bare chest, the only clothing he had on was a pair of jeans. He looked intimidating.

I wanted to run, but I wasn’t that scared, weak girl anymore. I refuse to run from him. If anything he should be begging at my feet. I know what I’m capable of now and I know who I am. I’m not going to let him walk all over me anymore. I’m doing this for Lily, for his Pack. I know he is a crazy bastard, but I also know he doesn’t want his Pack killed.

Alpha David wore a smirk on his face, dropping his arms to his side. He started walking down the steps. He never took his eyes off me. I could hear a low warning growl coming from him as he walked towards me. I stood straighter, not breaking my gaze, refusing to look away. When I didn’t submit, the rest of the Pack started circling around us, growling at me threateningly. Michael didn’t move off the porch, he just stared at me, trying to warn me with his eyes. He looked petrified not of me but for me. What the hell have I just walked into?