SWNOVELS Chapter 36
Aria's POV
Zoe answered after three rings. Her voice questioning “Hello?” I felt relieved upon hearing her voice. I have no idea why I was worried. I had no doubt that she could handle herself, but that didn’t make me worry any less. I relayed the conversation between Zane and Reid, letting her know about the Hunters.
"And they are sure they were definitely Hunters?” Zoe asked concern laced her words.
"Positive, they also left a message demanding the Hybrid," I told her. Zoe seemed to think for a minute.
“How do they even know you exist? Only a handful of us know, and I know Reid wouldn't give you up or your Pack. The most intriguing question though, besides the obvious, is why specifically say they want the Hybrid, I wonder what they need you for?”
“I have no idea but, Reid won't let me out of his sight, so I won't be able to visit you until he says, I just wanted to let you know what was going on” I sigh frustrated.
“I still have some old contacts. I will see what I turn up, can I call you back on this number?”
"Yes, this is my number, call anytime,” I told her. We say our goodbyes and hang up the phone. I turn to see Zane is pretending to ignore me like I didn’t know he was eavesdropping on the conversation.
When two o'clock came. I got up from the couch and went to walk out the door, heading towards
Reid's office. As soon as the door opened though Reid was already standing on the other side of the
door. His face was unreadable but I could tell he was waiting for me to say something.
“I promised Lily's teacher I would come back early and meet the class, I also told David I would meet him at the school” Reid clenched his jaw but moved to the side to let me pass. Zane must have been called through their link because he was straight behind me following along with Reid. This is ridiculous, I rolled my eyes and shook my head. Coming to the elevator, I stepped inside, Reid's hand reached down, grabbing my hand in his death grip, Zane hit the button to go back down to the foyer.
Nobody said a thing the entire way down, you could cut the tension with a knife. When the elevator dinged signally, we arrived on the ground floor, I went to step out when Reid pulled me back to his side, keeping a strong grip on my hand. Its fucking daylight for god's sake, what does he expect is going to happen during the day?
“Don't test me, Ari, it won't end well for you.” I gave up and relaxed my hand, Reid's grip loosened as we walked to the car that waited out front. Zane jumped in the passenger side, while Reid tugged me into the back. Mitch sat in the driver seat.
“Alpha,” He nodded to Reid in the mirror.
“The school, Mitch.” His words sounded bored. I sat back in my seat. Choosing to ignore Reid the entire time, I chatted with Mitch. When I slid to the middle seat and lent forward, I felt Reid's hand pull me closer, so our sides were touching. His arm pulled me back against the seat so I couldn't lean forward. He draped his arm across my shoulders. Jealousy raging through the bond, at me deliberately ignoring him and talking animatedly with Zane and Mitch. I looked over at him, his eyes racked over my face his expression was annoyed, but I could feel desire and an overwhelming need to touch him and reassure him flood through the bond. Giving up, I decided to not poke the angry wolf and leant into him, placing my head on his shoulder.
Reid's shoulders relaxed, and his fingers brushed my hair out of my face before gripping my chin. He tilted my head up so I could meet his eyes. His eyes softened, and he pressed his forehead to mine. I could feel his fear of losing me wash over me. I swallowed feeling suddenly guilty about earlier, remembering him telling me about his father going mad after the loss of his mate. I could never do that to Reid, I won't make him suffer because of my stubbornness. So silently I agreed I wouldn't put myself in danger and I would remain within arm's reach of Reid. Reid sensing my change or maybe he was reading my mind, kissed my forehead before pulling me tighter against him, I draped one arm lazily over his chest. Reid's other hand reached up and entwined his fingers in my hair.
When the car halted, I looked up, we were at the school. Mitch and Zane got out of the car and waited beside both rear doors like they were keeping watch. I noticed David's car parked in the parking lot. I could see him leaning against the bonnet. Stepping out, Reid followed behind me. When David saw Reid step out behind me, he looked taken aback but didn't comment. I walked over to him. “Ari, Alpha Reid.” David nodded his head, and Reid entwined his finger through mine holding my hand. “Alpha David.” Reid acknowledged. We all walked into the school and towards Lily's classroom. I could feel eyes on us, peering out of the classrooms. Before I even had a chance to knock, the door swung open. Lily's teacher smiled warmly back at me. Mrs. Tatt didn't hide her surprise at seeing Reid standing behind me along with our small entourage. “Alpha what a surprise, is everything okay?”
"Yes, Nadia everything is fine.”, but I could tell she felt uncertain, as her eyes darted around to all the faces of her students in the classroom with alarm. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her. “Is something wrong?” Reid stopped her from continuing.
“Don't panic, Nadia. Everything will be fine; we just had a breach of security. Nothing for you to worry about, your students are safe.” Zane and Mitch both nodded trying to reassure her. For some reason, my eyes darted to David, who shifted uncomfortably. I thought it was odd, but it was quickly forgotten when Lily opened the door and poked her head out drawing our attention back to the class who now had their faces pressed against the glass watching all of us with excitement. Moving past Mrs. Tatt, Reid reached down and picked up Lily and walked into the classroom.
The children instantly swarmed Reid excitedly. I could hear the children excitedly squealing Alpha trying to get his attention. I watched him play with the children and joined in too. Mitch and Zane stood outside the classroom, keeping guard. David sat awkwardly, watching the kids excitedly play with myself and Reid. When the bell rang signalling the end of school, I stood up, and Lily walked over to David and peered up at him. She looked uncertain, but David actually looked genuinely excited to have her attention finally.
"How was school, kiddo?" he asked, “Fun” she nodded and asked if he wanted to see her work. He nodded, and I could feel Reid's unease come through the bond while he kept a close eye on David. When it came time to leave, I held my hand out for Lily and she ran over her little hand, fitting perfectly in mine.
“David, we need to talk. We had some intrusion on our territory.” David nodded and walked over to Reid, who was leaning on the teachers’ desk. He told David what had happened. To Reid he seemed concerned, but I knew David better, I could tell by the way he shifted nervously, his whole demeanour shifted, Reid couldn't tell not being around him all that much. I knew David like the back of my hand, and I could tell something was off. David, sensing my stare, looked in my direction before his eyes darted to the ground. I watched the exchange between them. Something was eating at me though. I knew David knew more than he was saying and admitting to.
“I will have extra patrols out to keep an eye along the borders. If we notice anything, I will ring you straight away. If Lily or Aria need somewhere to hide out for a while they can stay on my territory,” Reid shook his head.
“No, the girls are safer with me. Our Pack is stronger, no one will get to them with us.” Reid spoke confidently, I could tell he was proud of his Pack. David I could tell didn't agree but didn’t voice his opinion on the matter.
“Very well, keep me informed, and I will do the same.” Something felt off, the whole exchange on David's end felt false.
Walking out, Reid came over to me. We walked back to the cars, and David helped Lily in the car. Reid held me back, sensing my unease. His voice flitted through my mind through the link.
"What is it? What is wrong?” he asked, concerned.
“Nothing, just something doesn't feel right,” I answered honestly. “I'm just being paranoid” Reid looked at me doubtfully like he didn’t think my feeling was just paranoia, I didn't either, but I made sure to keep my walls up so he couldn’t read my thoughts and climbed in next to Lily. I watched as David walked back to his car. His eyes darted over his shoulder in the direction of the car when he noticed me watching him. He nodded his head at me before getting in his car. David left, and we made our way back to the Pack house. When we stopped, Lily ran inside with Amber. Zane grabbed the girl's bags from the boot and followed behind them. Reid followed directly behind me, jumping out of the car, and Mitch drove the car off to the garage.
“I know you're hiding something, what is going on Aria?” Reid asked.