Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall

Aria’s POV

Once back at the house, we headed straight towards the kitchen. I brewed coffee while David went and took a seat at the table. Mitch just lingered in the kitchen watching, keeping a watchful eye. David’s whole demeanour changed once I sat across from him. He suddenly became extremely nervous like he didn’t know how to start. I sipped my coffee and watched as he did the same. He kept glancing towards Mitch like he didn’t want to speak in front of him.

“Does your friend need to stay?” he asked. I looked towards Mitch who was sitting at the counter reading the newspaper, having heard David speak, he looked up.

“I’m not going anywhere, so pretend I’m not here,” he confirmed what I already knew. Reid had given him strict orders that under no circumstances I was to be left alone with Alpha David.

David realising this turned back to me while Mitch turned back to his newspaper and coffee.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked, breaking the silence that seemed to be drawing on. I just wanted to get this over with.

“Well first, I wanted to say thank you for allowing me to try and form a relationship with Lily, I know it must be hard considering the past,” I scoffed at his use of words, he was really trying not to mention any details, but at least he was attempting to apologise. Seeing my reaction, he put his head down. “Look Aria, I wasn’t all bad. Before your mother died, I was a good stepfather, a good husband. It was just difficult after your mother died. I couldn’t cope with losing her. I loved your mother, Aria.”

“I know that, David, I do. I understand to a certain point now. I spoke to Reid; his father never recovered from losing his mate either. Now having Reid, I can’t imagine life without him. That’s not my problem though. I know who you are capable of being. I also know what you’re capable of doing. I won’t allow Lily to be put through that again. I know she is your daughter, but I am the one who raised her.”

David seemed to be thinking, I could tell he was uncomfortable with being called out for his shit, and I could also see he really was trying to apologise for his actions.

“I do have a question for you, though,” I said. He lifted his head and looked at me, his face unreadable. “Why didn’t you tell me about Zoe? Why did you stop her from being a part of our lives?”

David sat back in the chair like he was trying to find the words. “If you knew about Zoe, you could have left, and she was a part of your mother’s old life, the life she had with your father. I guess I was jealous that your mother loved someone other than me. I made it no secret that I felt betrayed that she had a child with someone who wasn’t her mate, so I made her cut ties with her family.” I was appalled at his reasoning. He basically made my mother choose her family or her mate, which it’s almost impossible to go against the mate bond.

I saw him look to Mitch, who was already on his feet staring at me. I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths through my nose, I could feel my fangs protruding and taste my own blood in my mouth. Regaining control, I relaxed. That was the first time I had actually

was settled down, I grabbed my coffee and let the burn from the scolding liquid distract me from ripping him apart. I had no doubt in my mind now that if it came to that, I could easily overpower and

it was me running off because you and I both know I would never leave Lily in your care.” He went to protest but shut his

just didn’t see the point in bringing it up. You lived without her, so what’s the

didn’t say anything because she knew I would never leave Lily behind, and also so you wouldn’t stop us from seeing her. She didn’t care what sort of contact she had with us, she just wanted to be a part of our lives.” David nodded his head

we go about this whole custody agreement?”

will remain with me until

when you

be little chance of Reid ever letting me go back to my old Pack. “You would have to speak

“But he isn’t Lily’s father. I should

Pack house, then I am sorry David, but I will not allow you to be alone with Lily without me there. I didn’t do this, you did. You made your bed so, for now, you need to lay in it and do things on my terms. If you don’t agree to it, that is fine, I understand. But you won’t be seeing Lily until I say so or she is old enough to

Mitch stood up and started making his way

really need to talk to you about something else but wish to do so in private” Mitches phone suddenly started ringing, cutting David off. David looked at Mitch, who answered it. It was clear he was on the phone to Reid. “Some other time

would stop in early to meet her classmates and teacher. That would also give me enough time to let the warriors that patrol

office. You really need to reign in your emotions. He has been hounding me the entire time you were talking to David, and now he is that anxious, he has ordered I bring you to him.” I rolled my eyes at him, I could just overthrow

was grey, and the weather was turning miserable. When we reached the skyrise that was owned by the Pack, I made my way inside. The foyer was large; the marble floors made my wet sneakers squeak when I walked. At the front was a woman who, when

reflection in the buttons on the elevator, they were that shiny. When I got to the top floor, the elevator dinged as the doors opened. This office space was incredibly fancy, just what you would expect to find in a CEO’s floor, everything was state of the art. The secretary at the front was a middle-aged woman in a pinstripe suit, she had glasses perched on the end of her nose and was gazing at her computer screen. When I approached, she looked up

I waved her off.