Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall novel Chapter 21

Aria’s POV

Running from the Alpha’s office, I quickly made my way to the Alpha’s bedroom. I didn’t want Lily to worry, and I was also worried she might tell the Alpha I was craving blood. I didn’t need to give him any more reasons to kill me. I knew he wouldn’t follow me because as soon as I left, Mavis, the Pack doctor, walked in straight after me. Going to the bathroom, I quickly chugged down half the bottle before crumbling to the floor. My thirst was beginning to become a problem. I haven’t wanted or needed blood so badly before, but it was like every fibre of my body was craving it. The wolfsbane burnt every cell, making me cry out in pain, clutching my stomach.

Come on, Aria, you can do this just a bit more. It will make the hunger stop. I tried to drink more down, but as soon as it hit my tongue again, I doubled over, throwing up into the toilet. I could feel my tongue sizzling from the poison. Blood started running down from my eyes and mouth. I thought drinking more would hold me off longer, but all it did was make me thirstier. My hunger became the only thing I could think about, taking over my thoughts completely. Laying on the cold tiled floor, I suddenly felt like my body was overheating, like I was boiling from the inside. I don’t know how long I laid there. When I suddenly heard the bedroom door open, I could smell his alluring scent instantly. Closing my eyes, I tried to concentrate on anything but his scent, his blood calling to me. Sitting up, I quickly locked the door, but as soon as I did, he knocked on it.

“Open the door Aria,” his voice sounded strained. I didn’t answer because I knew if I did, it would come out pained or I would growl at him. Not trusting my hunger, I tried to drink another mouthful but only ended up choking gasping for air, when the door was suddenly kicked in. Alpha Reid walked in a pained look on his face; his breathing was ragged, and he was clutching the door frame tightly with his hand.

“Stop whatever you are doing,” he gasped. I tried to get up but only stumbled back onto my hands and knees. So instead, I leant on the wall. He walked back out to the bed sitting on the edge, “The stronger the mate bond gets, the more I feel what you are feeling, including your pain.”

Looking over at him, I suddenly took in his appearance. He had sweat running down the sides of his face, and his shirt was drenched in sweat as well. He sat there until he regained his strength before pulling his shirt over his head, dumping it on the floor next to him. Placing his elbows on his knees, he brushed his fingers through his hair before looking over at me sitting on the floor.

“Is that why you drink it? To stop the bloodlust?” Nodding my head, I faced the wall. I had been holding my breath for a few minutes now. Knowing as soon as I took a breath, I would be consumed with hunger again.