Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall

Chapter 46

I pace around in the basement, my mind reeling, anger consuming every cell in my body. My skin

warming, getting hotter and hotter as my rage reaches boiling point. My claws extend, ripping my nails

from my fingers painfully. My fangs push through my gums slowly tearing until they a through. I can

taste the metallic of my own blood filling my mouth. I was losing control, a control I never really realised

I never had control of in the first place. My entire body felt heightened, my senses overloaded. The light

hanging from the ceiling becoming unbearable as it burned my eyes. I jump up trying to grab the bulb.

Only instead of grabbing the bulb, I rip the entire light fixture from the roof.

The metal hitting the concrete floor clanging loudly. The cell was plunged into darkness, only it wasn’t

dark, my eyes adjusting to the change of light instantly, and I could see everything clearly as if it were

still filled with light. Well, this was certainly new. I could always see in the dark, but this was completely

different. Looking around, I suddenly become aware of every noise. I am also able to hear above me

for the first time since coming down here. I can hear Wendy talking in the rec room, telling the girls to

get ready for their baths.

Hear Christine and Zane, who were obviously busy making up for his near-death experience in a very

sexual way. I wonder if they can hear Reid and me. I shake the thought away, not needing anymore

desires other than getting out of this room right now. I listen and can hear Lily and Amber running up

the stairs, and I hear Reid’s office door click shut. I can hear every person in this huge house, my

hearing zooming in and out listening intently.

Walking over to the door, I examine the hinges. They are pretty embedded only just sticking out slightly

past the frame. The door handle, I know has five deadbolts that shoot into the wall bracing it, so I know

there is no way to bust the door open from that side. But on the other side, I might be able to break it

and open it just enough to squeeze through. Looking at the hinges, I kick one. The concrete cracks and

I realise not only my senses are better, but I am a lot stronger. I wonder if that is why Reid is so much

stronger now, he said it himself that being mated to me has its Hybrid perks, but this seems different. I

also noticed Reid’s Alpha voice is stronger now. The angrier he gets, the stronger he gets. Looking at

the area where the hinges are. I kick it again; a chunk of concrete cracks, and I know it won’t take me

long to break them.

I continue to kick it until I hear both hinges break off the concrete and fall on the ground on the other

side of the door. I freeze and listen. I hear Reid’s office door open, and I hold my breath. Feeling

through the bond, I can tell he heard something but is unsure of what it was. I feel him try and push into

my mind, and I let him. Not wanting him to become suspicious of what I am doing. His voice popping

into my mind.

“What are you doing, Aria?”

“Still rotting in the cell, like you want,” I answer back sarcastically.

“You know I don’t want that. You brought this on yourself, Aria.”

“Last I checked you locked me in here, so that’s on you, not me. You could always let me out.” I move

and shove the door slightly. The deadbolts on the other end bending but not breaking. I squeeze

through the gap, the concrete scratching my flesh.

“I never wanted this, Aria. What did you expect me to do when you wanted to abort our child?” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Respect my decision, Reid, instead you took my choice from me, and now it’s too late,” I reply while

creeping up the steps toward the door leading into the house.

“You will come to see this is the right choice. I don’t understand how you would want to destroy a piece

of us.”

“I don’t want to argue, Reid. What’s done is done,” I state listening to hear if anyone is on the other side

of the door. Which I find hard with Reid in my head because I am trying to answer him and not alert him

to my escape as well as not think of what it is, I am doing. When I know the coast is clear, I open it

slightly and pop my head out. I can hear the girls playing in Amber’s room.

“Well make me understand then. I want to know why you don’t want to be a mother when you’re a great

one to Lily.”

“That’s exactly the reason, Reid. I was forced to raise a child when I was a child. I have never once in

my life done anything for myself other than raise a kid that wasn’t even mine. I was completely alone,

raising a baby. I put my life aside for her. I lost every part of myself I liked, as I was suddenly plunged

into exhaustion, diaper changes and bottle feeds. While most thirteen-year-old were out hanging with

friends and doing normal things, I was stuck raising a baby. It may seem selfish to you, but I don’t want

to raise another baby, have all that responsibility thrust onto me again. It’s a baby, Reid. Something I

will have to raise and keep alive and throw my life away for yet again.” I hadn’t realised I had stopped

on the stairs until I stopped answering. Shit, I lost focus. I quickly moved up the steps and into the

closet on the first level.

Just in time as I hear Christine and Zane walk past. Zane sounds like his normal self; you wouldn’t

even think he was knocking on death's door a few hours ago. I hear him stop and sniff the air.

“You smell that?” he asks Christine. “I swear I just caught Aria’s scent.”

“She is in the cells, you must have imagined it,” Christine says. I hear them keep walking. Letting out a

breath. Reid’s voice popping in my head again.

“You won’t be alone this time, Aria. You have a family now, you have me.” I tried to focus on my task,

but his words were bothering me. I could also feel his sadness through the bond seeping into me. I

wiped a tear from my cheek and opened the door. I made my way to Amber’s door; I could hear Lily

playing behind the door.

“Aria what are you doing?” Crap, I must have let my guard down. I could feel him probing then

realisation hit him, and I heard the office door swing open down the corridor. I looked in the direction

that he would come down, Lily threw the door open and looked at me.

“Aria?” She looked shocked to see me. I went to grab her and run when I suddenly heard Zane behind

me.

“Ari, you don’t want to hurt her.” I looked at him confused. I would never hurt Lily intentionally. Lily

squealed loudly, and I looked at her. My claws were digging into her flesh. I quickly released her

shocked, my hands going to my mouth, only to cut my own face. What the fuck was happening? Reid

approached me like he was trying to cage a wild animal.

“Aria, focus on me.” I thought it was strange he would say that. I took a step towards him. Panic taking

over, my breathing became rapid. I could hear someone growling. I turn sharply to see who it is. Then I

realise the growling is coming from me. Reid steps closer and my eyes flick to his. I see the concern in

them and anger. I know something has gone wrong, everyone’s body language proving my

assumptions. The hallway tense and no one’s eyes leaving me, no one moving. Goosebumps raise on

my arms. I know if I move wrong, Zane and Reid are going to jump me.

My instincts for some reason were all over the place and completely out of control.

“It’s the hormones Aria, you need to fight it.” I try to force my claws to retract, but they don’t. My body

feels foreign to me like I am just an observer of its actions. Reid moves closer, and I step towards him,

he holds his hands out, and I run at him. I know if I snap, he will be the only one to be able to hold me. I

grab him around the sides he grunts when my body comes in contact with his. Then my hands feel

warm and wet. I look down, and my claws are embedded in his sides. I hold my breath knowing if I

catch a whiff of his scent, I will be gone, all control lost and start hunting them.

I go to step back away from him, but he holds me tight against him. “I’m fine, it's already healing.” I feel

tears burn my eyes. Reid’s hands rubbing my back soothingly.

“They need to leave,” I say through clenched teeth. The memory of Reid’s blood, consuming my

senses. I hear everyone quickly go after Reid nods to them to get out of here.

“Zane is going to take Lily to the Black Moon Pack.” I nod, now realising she might actually be safer

there then with me right now. We stayed frozen in the hall, my head on his chest, his hands rubbing my

back softly but his grip tight. Reid moves his hand under my shirt, his hand coming in contact with my

skin. Sparks ignite on my skin. I focus on the feel of them and feel him through the bond.

I can feel his worry, but I also feel that he doesn’t fear me even when I’m like this. Even uncontrollable,

he still loves me. Reid feels me digging through his mind but doesn’t stop me. I feel how much he

wants me and this baby, how much he loves his Pack and Lily. I look up at him, his gaze steady

watching me.

“You’re not alone anymore, you never will be with me by your side,” he whispers before kissing my

head. My body relaxing in his hold, and I feel his arms loosen.

“Come on, let's go upstairs. I am assuming you broke the cell door.” I nod, but don’t move. Reid tugs on

my waist. “Come on.”

“What about the others?” I ask, panicked. Maybe I really should have remained in the cell.

“They won’t be coming back tonight. You don’t have to worry. Mitch and Wendy have a holiday house a

little away from here. Everyone will stay there.”

“Lily?” I hate the thought of her being away from everyone, especially me.

“She will be fine; David won’t let anything happen to her.”

We had walked up the stairs, and I opened the door, how I missed our bed. I walked over to it and laid

down rubbing my hands on the soft duvet.