The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 106

Chapter 106

ARIA

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I crack an eye open and find myself stari

at a ceiling made of wooden panels.

Before I even look around. I try to think back to what I last remember. Nothing comes to mind. I focus hard enough to the point where my brain hurts, but still, nothing.

Where the hell am I? My last memory is of leaving my uncle’s house, determined to get away from anyone I could hurt.

I try to sit up and a pained sound escapes my lips, filling the room all around me. It doesn’t help when I realize that I’m butt- naked, in a bedroom with a closed door, possibly locked, and no recollection of the night before.

The urge to say ‘hello?’ is strong, but I know deep down that it won’t amount to any good. I look around’ the room for my clothes and I don’t find them. Naturally, the worst is what I’m assuming right now. I was somehow captured, drugged, and dragged all the way here by men with unknown faces.

I try to creep out of bed despite the pain in my body just as the door opens softly. My heart nearly bursts when I see Ryder staring at me. He hurries to my side after taking in my state. “Ari? Baby, what’s wrong?”

“Where am I? How are you…?”

Ryder nods. “You don’t remember, do you? I didn’t either when first shifted.”

“First…what?”

“You shifted for the first time last night. I found you and brough you here. You were magnificent, Aria. Your wolf is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in all my life. All of it.”

My mind is still racing as I try to bring this memory to the forefront of my mind, using his description to try to remember anything. Nothing comes to mind and it’s the most frustrating thing ever.

“Don’t try to beat yourself up about it, okay?” he says softly. “You remember at some point. Or you won’t.”,

“Where are we?”

“A cabin my family owns,” he briefly explains. I meet his gaze and he averts his. This is when I recall the argument we had, the one that made me realize that it was time for me to stop living selfishly. I look away, too, but Ryder takes my hand and holds it tenderly.

“Aria,” he begins, “I fucked up. I know that. I overreacted to what you told me and I won’t ever forgive myself for that. I was shocked, and maybe that made you think that you had to leave.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want you taking the blame for that, Ryder. I’m the one who kept the truth from you. It was entirely my fault and not yours. At all. I left because I understood then that my presence would only hurt the ones I love. Uncle Barty has sacrificed so much for me. So, so much.”

I stop myself before I start sobbing.

“They’re all worried about you,” he claims. “Your uncle almost lost his mind with worry. He wanted to kill me.”

I sniffle and fight back tears. “I only did it to keep them safe. Cassandra, too.”

“Did you think I’d report you?”

I meet his gaze. “No, of course not.”

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10:00 Mon, Mar 2

Chapter 106

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Ryder appears relieved. “Good. I know I reacted badly to everything you told me, but you’re my mate, Aria. I love every part of you. I love you. I know this is a…another hurdle we’ll have to get through, but we’ll do it together. I’m never going to let anyone hurt you. Ever.”

“You can’t fight the whole world.”

Ryder smiles. “Watch me.”

I shake my head at him, fighting back a smile. He’s so…Gah, I have no words. All I know is that I love him, too. I always will.

Words can’t describe how glad I am that we’re here together.

“I made you some breakfast,” he mentions, cupping my face and rubbing circles on my cheek with his thumb. “Hungry?”

“I could use a shower first. How long was I out for?”

“A full day plus a few hours.”

This shocks me. “What?”

“I slept for nearly three days, so there’s that. How does your body feel? Sore?”

I nod, trying to stretch. “My back…”

“It’ll be that way for a few days. Maybe a week. But you’ll recover. It’s important that you do before your next shift.”

I shudder at this and have no idea why. “Okay.”

Ryder puts an arm around me. I plant both my feet on the ground and feel the extent of my pain. Everywhere hurts. I’ve never felt this kind of pain before. “Do you need me to carry you?”

“No, I should probably walk it off.”

His grip is firm, and he doesn’t let me go for a second. When my step falters, he’s right there to help keep me upright. Again, my heart swells with gratitude. I’m so glad he’s here. I don’t remember what my full plan was, but I definitely wondered where I’d spend the night.

I sigh just as we reach the bathroom and he turns his attention to me. He sets me down on the edge of the bathtub and turns the hot water on.

“What is it?”

“I can’t go back.”

“You should,” he says firmly. “Aria, that’s not up for debate. You can’t stay away from the people you love. Together, we’re all stronger.”

“But

my uncle-”

“Made his choice,” he interrupts. “He’s a big boy, Aria. He’s always known the risks and that never made him abandon you. So, why would he now?”

“It’s different now.”

“How? Are you more of a Nocturn now, is that what you mean? You were always one. Either that, or you’d be a runt. And he stuck by your side. You’re just breaking his heart by excluding him from your life now.”

I sigh. Dammit, he’s right. That doesn’t mean I’m less worried, though. “Is he really mad at me?”

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10:01 Mon, Mar 2

.

Chapter 106

“Maybe not really, but he’s mad alright.”

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I cover my face with both hands. Ryder runs his fingers through my matted hair.

“It’s going to be alright. Just let people decide for themselves, alright?”

“I’m scared, Ryder,” I admit. “I’m absolutely terrified.”

He looks at me for a long time and doesn’t say anything. Once the bathtub is filled with hot water, he helps me get in. The liquid soap he dumps in the water smells heavenly. I sit back and close my eyes, allowing myself to relax.

“Do you need anything?”

I shake

my head.

“I’ll be outside if you need me, then.”

“No, Ryder. Wait.”

He searches my eyes. I can’t stand the thought of him leaving me alone, for some reason. Oh, goddess. The passes, the more paranoid I become. “Okay. I’ll stay here with you.”

“Will you get in?”

more time

Something flashes across his eyes, which he tries really hard to suppress. I watch him peel his clothes off, not looking away for a second, and he gets in. I went from feeling a little uneasy while naked before him to being totally fine about it, and that happened in the blink of an eye.

Ryder settles behind me and his arms go around me. I relax against him. This is exactly what I needed.

“How long will we stay here?”

“As long as you need.”

I know what he means, but I don’t want to talk about this right now. I just need to relax, calm my mind, and allow myself to live in the moment even if it’s just for a little while.

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