Reid, ignoring my ranting turned to Zane. "What do you need?"
Zane smirked at me before turning back to Reid. "Nothing Alpha, I just came to see you about a breach in security," Reid's head popped up at that, all joking pushed aside while he listened intently on what Zane had to say. I unfolded my arms and leant forward on his desk to listen too. "Hunters were spotted sneaking around the territory, and they managed to breach the computer database, they stole some footage."
"Footage? Of what? And are you sure they were Hunters; we haven't had Hunters around in years."
"Positive Alpha, they left something behind. When we scoured the footage, we saw they left a note in the foyer downstairs. I'm not sure what they were looking for, but they stole the footage from the night Lily and Ari came to our territory. They didn't take the footage of inside the building but of the cameras on the streets," Reid looked back at me, panic on his face and leaking through the bond. I could tell he was trying to mask it. Zane's eyes darted to me quickly before his eyes glazed over. I could tell he was mind linking Reid as Reid's eyes lost focus before going to me. He growled lowly from the back of his throat, it sent chills down my spine and paralysed me on the spot.
"What?" I asked, demanding to know what had Reid so riled up. Zane looked back at Reid, who put his hand up before pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. I could tell he was trying to pull himself together, so I waited patiently for him to answer.
"The note said to hand over the Hybrid, and they will show the rest of us mercy," I gasped in shock. There is no doubt in my mind the Hybrid they are referring to is me. My throat suddenly felt dry. If they know I exist, they would definitely know about Lily. Lily and I are always together, especially the night they took the camera footage from.
"Why, though?" My voice shook in fear but not for myself, but for our Pack and for Lily. I never should have stayed in town; I should have left when we had the chance. Now I have put everyone at risk and why now after years have the Hunters come out of hiding and feel brazen enough to break into one of the most feared Packs' business buildings.
"I have no idea, Aria, but it won't be for anything good, you aren't to leave without an escort from now on, in fact, you won't be leaving my sight." I shook my head that wasn't even an option in my head for the sake of Lily and my Pack, I may just have to hand myself over. No one is dying for my sake; I could never live with myself.
Reid growled menacingly, obviously reading my thoughts yet again. I rolled my eyes, but Zane seemed to get the message that I apparently missed because he left the room in a hurry, the door slamming behind him.
Reid gripped my arm tightly, pulling me towards him and wrapping his other arm around my waist, so I was flush against him. I could feel his anger radiating off him, the heat of his skin suddenly feeling like it was burning into me. "You will not be leaving my sight, Ari. Do you understand?" I looked up at him, my own anger bubbling to the surface. How dare he tell me to sit on the sidelines while everyone risked their lives for me. Over my dead body would I allow that. Reid's nails dug into the skin on the inside of my arm. I hissed at the sting and looked up at him. His eyes were no longer his own, Ryder's eyes peering back at me were blazing in fury at my defiance.
"Stay out of my head, Reid, or is it just you now, Ryder?"
"No, Reid is here too, but he isn't willing to do what needs to be done if you refuse." Ryder's voice was low daring me to defy him. I could hear the challenge in his voice like he really wanted me to try. I knew better, the memory of his bite still fresh in my mind. I hated that, but that didn't mean I was going to drop to his feet and beg for forgiveness. He was the one not thinking rationally.
"Bring Reid back now, Ryder." Ryder growled his nails digging deeper as he pulled me even closer, which I didn't think was even possible. His lips at my ear. "You won't be leaving Ari, will you?" I felt the blood leave my body, and my heart felt like it had moved into my throat. His voice was so menacing, I tried to swallow the lump that was caught in my throat, but my mouth felt like I was trying to swallow sand, the saliva leaving my mouth making it as dry as a desert.
"Bring Reid back, Ryder." My voice trembled and didn't come out as strong as I was hoping.
"Wrong answer," Ryder spun me, with so much force my surroundings blurred for a second, my back now pressed tightly to his front. Ryder's arm wrapped tightly around my waist, holding me in place. When I felt his canines brush my neck, I screamed and placed my hand just in time, so he bit into the back of my hand instead of my neck. I shrieked at the sudden pain and pulled my hand away.
Dropping down I twisted, so I was facing him. Lifting my hands, I hit him straight up under his ribs forcing him away from me. Ryder growled annoyed before getting to his feet. I watched him crack his neck, accepting the challenge. I didn't want to hurt him, and I knew deep down he didn't really want to hurt me. This was just his caveman side, brute force, and not much rational thinking.
Holding my hands up in front of me. "Wait, wait." Ryder halted, thinking I was agreeing to his terms. I used that to my advantage. Using my Alpha voice. "I said bring Reid back NOW!" I screamed. Ryder fought off my command easily. "Shit," I really hoped it would work with him being distracted. It didn't, why for once, couldn't I get the upper hand over him just once. Ryder seemed to think it was funny that my Alpha voice didn't work on him, because he was my mate. The look on his face was disturbing, primal, in this moment he truly looked like a predator and unfortunately for me, I was his prey.