Chapter Six

 Aria POV

The next morning, I woke and Lily was already dressed for school quietly waiting leaning against my side, sitting up slowly my body ached I reached for my watch glancing down at the small screen it said 930am. 

"Shit we are already late" I told Lily

"I tried to wake you; we have missed our bus" She replied putting her shoes on trying to tie the laces herself.

"Come here I will do them for you"

she walked over, and I quickly tied her laces, "Pass me my uniform please Lil" she quickly did as I asked, passing my me my clothes. Putting my bra and panties on I reached for my blouse Lily was holding as I moved I could feel my wound reopening slowly placing my hand over it trying to hold it together. 

Lily helped me put my black slacks on and my shoes before I quickly tied the laces, Before putting my blouse on I peeled one side of my dressing back it was starting to heal very slowly, pulling the dressing off completely I quickly reached into the my duffle bag pulling out a new water proof dressing and covering it again. Then I put my blouse on and grabbed our bags before opening the door and walking down the hall to the kitchen with Lily following closely behind me.

Elizabeth was standing in the kitchen at the sink washing the dishes from breakfast when we walked in.

"The Alpha isn't  here if that's what you are wondering"

"No, I need a lift to Lilys school is Michael still here?"

"No, he is with the Alpha, but I will go grab my keys and run you myself meet me at the car" she said walking out of the kitchen towards her room. Lily and I grabbed our bags and walked out to the garage where a heap of cars were lined up, finding Elizabeth's green hatchback we waited beside it till she came out and unlocked the doors, I pulled the front seat forward so Lily could climb into the backseat before getting in the passenger seat.

"Here take these pain killers when you need to they won't make you drowsy but will relieve the pain and this is my make-up bag your bruises are already fading but are still quite visible"  dumping the makeup bag on my lap, I put the pills in my pants pocket before using the visor mirror to try and conceal my black eye and bruised jaw it helped a little but anyone looking to closely would easily see them. Elizabeth also handed a apple to Lily in the back seat told her to eat it for breakfast and a lunch box. 

"Here Lil some sandwiches and chips for lunch" Lily thanked her before eating her apple.

The drive to the school was fast Elizabeth wasn't  the best driver she is very heavy footed,  I'm not even sure she knows what a brake is, usually a ten or fifteen minute trip and she got us to Lily school in half the time, which I was glad her driving was starting to make me nauseas. Once we pulled up out front of the school Lily and I quickly walked to the main office where I signed her in as late before walking her to her classroom. 

After saying my goodbyes, I started to walk to work which was surprisingly more exhausting then I thought it would be. My ribs were throbbing and I knew the dressing was saturated with blood already, putting pressure on it with my hand while I was walking to stop it from tearing open completely. As I got closer I was walking past a group of teenagers when I felt my gums start to tingle.

 I moved to the side of the footpath pressing up against the brick building as they walked past. Just as they did my fangs came out overwhelming my senses completely. I listened to the sounds of their beating hearts until they were out of view, to afraid to move from my position cause all I wanted to do was chase them down and rip into their carotid artery and feed until I drained them. 

Once they were out of view I took off running to work when I opened the diner door, I held my breath and ran straight past everyone and out the back. Dropping my bag on the ground I grabbed the wolfsbane bottle and took two huge gulps of it before placing the lid back on the bottle. Zoe was bound to come out soon to check what was wrong with me since I didn't have time to change my dressing again before she came out I placed another straight over the top of it before fixing my blouse ,just as she walked out a worried expression on her face.

"You okay dear?" She asked rushing over to me 

"Yes, sorry I'm late we missed the only bus and I had to wait for a lift in town" I told her before picking up my bag to put away.

"Are you sure you're okay? you're sweating and you look a bit pale" She asked staring at me I knew she must be able to see my bruises because she was directly looking at them making me nervous. Plastering a fake smile on my face I nodded quickly before answering.

"Yes, I'm fine it's because I ran here from the school" I told her before walking out and putting my apron on. Grabbing the coffee jug I walked around to all the tables and quietly refilled everyones cups. 

when I reached the last booth I noticed Alpha Reid sitting dressed in a black suit with a silver tie that matched his eye colour, he was talking to someone who had their back to me hearing me approach from behind the man turned around and glared at me. It was Alpha David and Beta Michael. My heart skipped a beat and I dropped my head and filled there mugs quickly my hands were shaking making me nearly spill the coffee on the table.Beta Michael looked at me before looking away.

"I can smell wolfsbane all over you" He told me through mind link

"I know I'm sorry Beta"

"Just stay away Alpha Reid wont hesitate to kill you if he notices you are a hybrid" He stated 

"Why the meeting?" 

"We no longer need his help. This is just a casual meeting thanking the Alpha for his help, that is all so don't worry but don't come back over we will be leaving soon anyway." He replied

Moving out the back to the kitchen I asked Marcus if he needed any help and started cutting up fruit and vegetables for him.

After about 20 minutes Zoe came out to the kitchen and asked me to clean up some tables on my way out I grabbed a glass and filled it with water before reaching into my pocket. I popped two of the painkillers in my mouth before quickly swallowing them down with a mouthful of water. When I turned around, I walked straight into Alpha Reid.

"You cant be back here sir" I stuttered nervously. He stared down at me making me feel tiny next to his large frame before pulling me to his chest he wrapped his arm around my waist causing me to wince in pain from the pressure on my ribs, using his other hand he reached into my back pocket and pulled out the small sheet of pain pills which only had two left. He then let me go before reading the little packet.

"Codeine, what are you taking these for?" He said raising an eyebrow

Snatching them out of his hand I quickly placed them back in my pocket before talking 

"That's none of your business now please you can't be back here" I said now annoyed. He turned and walked back out and sat back in one of the booths. Watching him walk away my pounding heart started to slow down, Zoe walked out with a glass of water in her hand she placed it in front of me on the counter.

"Here drink this, are you sure you're  okay? if you need the day off it's  ok Ari I can manage on my own with Marcus" placing her hand on my neck she rubbed her thumb over the bruise on my jaw worriedly she had tears in her eyes.

"Really I'm fine Zoe I'm just tired" I drank the glass of water down soothing my dry throat before walking out with a tray to clear the tables.

Alpha Reid stayed all day watching me, does he have work to do? why is he hanging around the diner? Does he know what I am? Is he waiting for me to leave so he can slaughter me? My brain was working overtime trying to figure out what his sudden interest in me was. When it came time to get Lily, I quickly took off my apron before walking out the door towards the school.

When I was out of sight of the diner a pair of hands clamped down on my arms. I knew instantly it was Alpha Reid by the sparks that ran all over my body. He pushed me against the brick wall of the building pressing his chest against mine, he leaned in breathing in my scent. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it. I froze waiting for him to kill me. 

Only he didn't instead his hand moved underneath my blouse where my dressing is. He ran his nose along the top of my shoulder before lifting my blouse revealing the bloodied dressing, he ran his fingers over it, letting out a menacing growl which paralysed me on the spot. 

"Who did this?" his voice was deep filled with rage.

"No one" I stuttered my voice so low it was nearly a whisper. I tried to move to escape but he growled warning me not to, so I stood there not daring to move an inch. Running his nose to the crook of my neck he inhaled deeply I could feel his canines protruding pressing against my skin they were sharp, I inhaled not realising I had been holding my breath.

"Why do you smell of Wolfsbane is that why you're  not healing?" His voice was dangerously low. frightened I tried to push him back, but he did not budge.

"Please I have to get Lily" I cried. Stepping back, he let me pass I quickly took off in the direction of the school.

After I picked up Lily we went back to the diner where Reid was waiting next to the door, he stepped right into my path blocking us from moving further into the diner.

"Hello Lily" He said passing her a giant choc chip cookie. Lily took the cookie smiling up at the alpha.

"You can help with my homework If you want Mr Reid" Lily told him excitedly but before he could answer Zoe saved me from telling her no and stepped forward wrapping Lily in a hug forcing the Alpha to move out of the way. Lily walked off to her usual booth and I pushed past the Alpha and into the kitchen and put my apron on. Reid never left when my shift was about to end, I walked out the back to retrieve my bag and grab Lily who was sleeping in the back part of the store where Zoe's little studio was. When I was bending down grabbing our clothes out of the dryer and placing them in the duffle bag I felt familiar hands brush my sides. I knew it was Reid his tantalising scent hit my nose just as he touched me. 

sparks stretching throughout my body. Why does he have this effect on me? Thinking to myself. I spun around only for him to push me back so my ass was pressed against the washer and dryer, I watched him lean in breathing in my scent, his other hand reached up into my hair pulling my head back forcing me to look up and meet his gaze. Just as I was about to tell him he couldn't be back in this part of the diner. He smashed his lips hungrily into mine catching me completely of guard. 

The most surprising part was my own body's reaction to him, an involuntary moan escaped my lips and I felt my core tighten. His tongue traced my bottom lip wanting access which I granted before he deepened the kiss pressing his body into mine. Just as fast as he kissed me, he pulled away I heard him chuckle to himself. "Now that's  the reaction I have been wanting" He whispered. 

Confused I went to ask him what he meant when Zoe walked in. I felt my face flush with embarrassment, I stepped out of his grip and ran from the laundry grabbing Lily, I quickly grabbed our things and ran out the door not even bothering to say goodbye. I walked home as quick as possible after an hour of walking. I finally reached the driveway.

Reid POV

As soon as I seen her walk out the back knowing her shift was about to end I couldn't help myself I followed her, I stood in the door way watching as she bent down to remove the clothes from the dryer, completely unaware I was watching her. She bent over to grab the last of the clothes out of the dryer my dick instantly going hard as I stared at the shape of her plump ass in the air.

 I reached over placing my hand on her hips she instantly froze. I watched as she sniffed the air slightly, spinning her around so she faced me. I pushed my body against her's I could feel her skin heating up under my touch. This is the reaction she should have had the moment we met but she is only affected when I'm close or touching her, curious to see her reaction, I ran my hands up her body and into her hair before grabbing a handful. I pulled it back so her face was looking directly at me, I could see confusion  and fear in her eyes ,she still feared me. 

My lips crashed into her soft pink lips making me growl, my wolf was howling in my head pleased to finally taste her, I sucked her bottom lip before running my tongue along it wanting entry to taste her more, I felt her lips part and I plunged my tongue into her mouth tasting every bit of it. Her scent was sending my wolf crazy he wanted to claim her right now, but I knew it would scare her, so I pulled back.

"Now that's  the reaction I have been wanting"

She stared at me confused, she was about to say something when we were interrupted. Zoe walked in my mates face flushed adorably with embarrassment. Zoe glared at me, then my mate took off. Turning around to Zoe and crossing my arms across my chest I leaned back on the dryer.

"I told you to stay away from her" Zoe's voice was calm but demanding which irritated my wolf.

"Aria is my mate you know this already" my tone was annoyed. The old woman stepped forward. 

"That girl has enough going on, you think you can just come in here confuse her? She doesn't even know you're her mate and she won't till you mark her, She won't throw Lily away to be with you, Ari has raised her since she was born loves her like a daughter not a sister just because you are her mate don't think she will choose you over her."

My wolf growled. Zoe raised a brow at my reaction to her words but did not look bothered my body shaking as I tried to fight my raging wolf from trying to take over.

"I never said I would make her choose between us, I know where ever Aria goes Lily will be with her. I'm not trying to separate them. I fucking love her and Lily I know they are a package deal, I don't fucking care what you say, she is mine" I growled Zoe's composer faltered not expecting my anger, before her eyes softened and she let out a breath of relief.

"I thought you wanted to take her away from Lily, but it still doesn't change anything she doesnt know you are her mate and Lily's father isn't going to just let Lily leave with Aria"

"What do you mean, how do you know so much about her? What do you mean I need to mark her before she realises, I am her mate? They are siblings what do you mean about Lilys father?"

I was becoming more annoyed and confused by the minute my wolf had gone awfully quiet. I could tell he knew something I didnt, but he just retreated to the back of my mind where I could not reach him.

Zoe's face went pale and she started to sweat I could smell her fear coming from the pores on her skin. Now I was starting to get pissed off, first my wolf running off and now Zoe has all of a sudden gone quiet too.

"What the fuck is going on? what aren't you telling me?" I growled at her. Zoe looked around nervously.

"I knew her mother and father that's  all I can tell you"

"What whose mother and father?"

"Aria's. Lily and Ari have the same mother but different father's"

Now her words made sense he would not let Ari take Lily when Aria wasn't even his daughter. So, if their father is alive why is Aria raising his daughter? I had so many questions that need to be answered but I could tell Zoe would not be the one to give them to me. Storming out of the laundry and back into the diner I looked everywhere for her.

 I wanted answers and she was going to give them to me even if I had to force them out of her,but she was not here. Where did she go? I don't even know what pack she is in so I can't  just turn up and demand her Alpha to hand her over. Stepping outside I tried to pick up her scent, but she was long gone. Where did she go?