Hybrid Aria by Jessica Hall novel Chapter 7

Reid’s POV

Leaving home early, I decided to head straight to Joe’s Diner, not bothering to send Zane today. Besides, I also had a meeting at 9:00 with Alpha David. Seeing as we have cleared his rogues, he wants my men off his territory now.

I was extremely tired. My wolf kept me up most of the night. Even now Ryder was starting to become agitated and restless, and I had been struggling to keep him contained. All night he kept telling me something was wrong but did not know what. Getting in my car, I drove quickly, ignoring the speed limit, not taking me long to arrive at the small diner. Parking the car on the curb out the front, I got out and went in. I was greeted by the owner, Zoe. She was a nice lady. I sat at the counter, looking around, trying to see if she was in. Zoe came over, placing a mug of coffee in front of me. Reaching for it, I took a sip. After about an hour, she still wasn’t in.

I looked at the time and saw it was 8 o’clock already. Zoe looked worried too. She kept glancing at the clock a few times, and she even stuck her head out the door looking towards the bus stop, but no Aria or Lily.

“I knew something was wrong. It’s been nagging me all night,” Ryder growled angrily in my mind.

“Shut up, you can’t know that,” I replied, annoyed, shoving him into the back of my mind. Feeling him still growling at me I got up and walked to the window looking out but no sign of her, so I walked back to the counter to speak to Zoe.

“Is Aria not working today?” I asked nervously.

“She was supposed to start at 6 this morning. I’m not sure what’s going on,” she replied. I could tell she was concerned, she kept glancing at the door and the clock.

“Is Aria usually late? Does she have a phone?” Zoe looked back at me before refilling my mug.

“No, never she is never usually late or misses her shift unless…” she hesitated then regained her composure. “No, she hasn’t got a phone.”

“Unless what?” I ask. I could tell she was going to say something before she stopped herself.

“No, it’s nothing you should concern yourself with.”

When Zoe went to walk away, I stopped her. I could tell something had her on edge, but before I could say anything, she stared me down.

“Look, I know she is your mate. It’s quite obvious to me, but really I can’t tell you anymore. She has enough on her plate without you causing trouble for her; you need to leave her alone,” she snapped before glancing at the door again.

“What? How do you know?” I shook my head. trying to wrap my mind around what just came out of this human woman’s mouth.

“My husband was a hunter. I know what goes on in this city; I may be old but not blind.”

“Was a hunter?” I asked, shocked by her admission.

“Yes. Joe, my husband, was a hunter until he realised his best friend was a Vampire. That’s when we realised Vampires and your kind aren’t much different from humans. Most just want to live in peace, so he quit, and that’s what got him killed. He died protecting his best mate when the Hunters came for him. My husband got in the way trying to protect him, they both died.” She told me this completely unaffected, not like she did not care, but like she had come to terms with it and accepted it.

I just stared, completely shocked. Most Hunters wouldn’t go and tell someone like me they were Hunters unless they were cocky or downright suicidal, but Zoe spoke as if it were a lifetime ago. I could tell there was no hate in her for my kind at all, just acceptance. I watched her go out the back, and I just sat thinking of what Zoe had just told me.

“WOLFSBANE,” growled Ryder. He was pissed that someone had hurt our mate using wolfsbane. Just before she reached my table, she froze for a second. Both the Alpha and the Beta looked up to see who I was staring at. Aria quickly dropped her head but not fast enough, I could see she had a black eye and bruises along her jaw. She quickly filled our cups, and before taking off behind the counter, which made me feel relieved, the look that Alpha David gave her made me want to rip him apart. He looked at her with disgust. I didn’t catch the Beta reaction to her, he was looking everywhere but at me. I thought I saw his eyes glaze over though like he was mind linking someone.

“Well, since everything has been sorted, we might as well keep this meeting short. I will have my men off your territory straight away, and if I ever need anything, Alpha, I will be sure to contact you to collect that favour,” I said.

The Alpha nodded before getting out of his seat and walking out. His Beta Michael got up shaking my hand before saying, “Sorry about him, he had a rough night last night and a few too many drinks.”

“I figured as much. He smells like a bar.”

Michael chuckled before taking his leave. Walking up to the counter, I went to take a seat when I saw her just out of the corner of my eye, standing next to the sink in the kitchen. I watched as she took some pills when I felt Ryder push me over. Before I knew it, I was standing behind her.

She turned around and walked into me “You can’t be back here, sir,” she said nervously.

I looked down at her, then grabbed her and crushed her against my chest. Reaching into her back pocket, I pulled the sheet of painkillers out and read it. “Codeine. What are you taking these for?” I asked her. Werewolves heal fast, no need to take pain killers unless severely injured. She quickly stepped out of my grasp and snatched them out of my hand.

“That’s none of your business. Now please, you can’t be back here.” I could tell she wanted to get away from me, so I turned and walked back out and sat at one of the booths. Someone had hurt her. The evidence was all over her face, and I could smell blood on her like she was still bleeding, and she strongly smelt of wolfsbane. It must be on her clothes, or maybe she spent the night around it, because from how strong it smells, she should be dead.