The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 101

Chapter 101

RYDER

I open my eyes suddenly, before dream Ray gets hold of me with his skate in his hand to slash my face open.

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The first thing I feel is the weight of Aria’s head on my arm. Thankfully, I didn’t wake her. I stare at her perfect sleeping face in the dark room, then check the time on her alarm clock.

It’s a little over five in the morning, and I think it’s time for me to go.

I don’t want Coach to wake up and find me here. Though he showed me last night that he tolerated my presence, I know I can’t cross the line with him. I only met Aria here in her room because we had a few things to talk about before I went to my father. I need her to be on par with everything if this is going to work.

Carefully, I detach myself from her arm. I’m so damn grateful that she doesn’t wake up. I can let myself out, anyway. Hopefully, her uncle won’t wake up and attack me thinking that m an intruder or something.

Once I’m outside, I check my phone. I have a missed call from my father. He called at around two in the morning and I can’t help but wonder what the hell he wanted to talk to me about at that time..

Though my father has always been an early riser, I have some time to kill. The sky is still dark, after all. The streets are so quiet and peaceful as I drive through them. I wish life were always like this.

I stop at the diner near the university, open 24/7, and sit by the counter. A few students are seated in the booths, but only about five of them. They have their heads bent over books

“What will it be?”

“Coffee. Strong, please.”

“Cream? Sugar?”

“None of that.”

“Anything to go with that coffee?”

I shake

my

head politely. There’s no way in fuck that I’ll be able to eat. My stomach’s all twisted and I’m nervous as hell. I keep trying to imagine what my father will tell me, and I fail each and every time.

Waiting and seeing what happens is the only sensible option I have left.

I drink my coffee slowly and watch the sun rise. I will myself to be peaceful, thinking about Aria and how nervous she is about this whole thing. I want to give her good news so damn bally. I don’t want to have to feel her concern in the pit of my stomach.

Of course, she has reason to worry.

I just can’t stand it when she feels that way. It makes me feel useless because I’m the one with the power to make actual changes.

Once the clock hits seven, that’s when I leave. I don’t want my father to have the impression that I’m too desperate, either. Maybe this is a childish thought process, but I’m trusting my instincts right now.

Dad is waiting for me in his office. He watches me approach his desk with a seriousness that makes me realize that something is wrong right away.

“Ryder,” he begins. “I hope you had a good night’s sleep.”

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Chapter 101

I say nothing; I just tip my head.

He leans back against his chair. “I suppose you’ve heard that Moonveil has declared war against us?”

“Where would I have heard it?”

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He shrugs. He’s a little too calm for someone who’s making such an announcement. “It’s all everyone’s talking about.”

I stare at him for several long beats. Something’s off. Really fucking off. “Why don’t you cut to the chase, Dad, and tell me what all of this is about?”

“You caused this mess,” he reminds me. “So, it’s only right if you fix it.”

“How am I supposed to fix it? What about my situation with Aria That’s what I came here to talk about. You know this, so that’s all this shit about?”

“The solution is simple,” he continues, acting like he didn’t hear my questions. “Lizzie’s father has given us a way out of this. You marry her and they’ll join arms with us. They’ll help us fight Moonveil. You don’t have to worry about it being a love marriage-the three of us will know the truth. This is an offer Lizzie is ready to agree to.”

I’m fuming at this point. It takes everything for me not to lash out. I have to remind myself that the man seated in front of me is my father, even though I don’t see him that way at all anymore.

“I have a mate,” I remind him with forced calmness. “Have you forgotten all about that? Does that register with you at all?”

“There’s no reason why you can’t keep her as a lover, Ryder. I mean, she’s just an Omega, after all.” Ominously, he adds, “Or is she?”

I shake my head at him, fed the fuck up. “Where are you going with this? What’re you trying to prove?”

“Ryder, despite recent events, you’re my heir and I have to watch out for you at all times, especially when I don’t agree with the decisions you’re making. That girl is problematic, and it stars with her parents.”

He opens one of the drawers of his desk and pulls out a folder which he then slaps on the desk. “Go through that for me, will you?”

I glare at him, fighting my anger, then decide to entertain him. I page through the fucking folder, so angry that I can’t see straight. “What the fuck is all this?”

“This is information we have on Aria Murdock’s parents,” he claims. “The woman you see right there is her mother. The man is her father.”

I frown. The file says they’re both deceased.

They were killed because of a pack order.

“Pack order?” I echo, looking up. “What does any of this even mean? Why were they killed….Aria told me they died in a car accident.”

“That’s what she’s been led to believe by her uncle, yes. Her mother was a Nocturn, Ryder. Does that ring any

bells?”

“I know what a Nocturn is.”

“Then now you know the truth about her family. Her father was regular Omega. Nothing important. But he consorted with a Nocturn, and that’s what got him killed. Do you know what that means for her? She’s either a Nocturn herself, or a runt. Now, the difference between the two is that a runt never has a wolf, and a Nocturn’s wolf develops when the individual is around twenty-one. Now, when exactly did you find out that she was your mate? Was it after her birthday?”

I still. Ice is flowing through my veins right now. I look down at the files and realize I have to make a decision quickly.

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“Well?”

I meet his gaze. “It was long before her birthday.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Of course, I’m sure,” I snap. “She’s my mate, isn’t she?”

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My father looks at me for a long time, suspiciously I should add. Her file claims that she got her wolf when she was sixteen. It was signed by a registered nurse who confirmed it. Coincidentally, she was on a trip with her uncle when it happened.”

“That’s the truth.”

He nods slowly. “Ryder, I hope you understand what we’re discussing here. The pack will find out about her mother eventually. In fact, a lot of people know it. As an Omega, things were bad enough. But as the daughter of a Nocturn? Well… that makes things a thousand times worse, don’t they?”

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