The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

ARIA

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The next morning, Uncle Barty drops me off in front of the university, as he usually parks his car in the back. “Here you go. Enjoy your classes, alright? And don’t forget to come see me for unch.”

“I will,” I reply before reaching for my bag, which I’ve placed by my feet. Suddenly, he grabs my wrist and I snap my head in his direction, alarmed.

“What’s that?” he demands, his voice laced with concern.

“What?” I ask right before I realize what he’s talking about.

My palms.

Although they’ve healed fairly quickly, there are still light red scratches on them, and to the expert eye-and an expert in injuries he is, considering the stuff he sees every day-this is unmissable.

“When did you hurt yourself? What happened?”

“Don’t worry about it, Unc. I’m fine.”

He gives me The Coach Look, and I sigh. “I swear it, okay? I’m perfectly fine. It was just something stupid.”

Technically, it wasn’t. Was that woman trying to kill me or something? My only consolation is that he could have been hit,

too.

Maybe I should’ve demanded an explanation from her instead of just picking myself up from the ground and leaving, but I was too angry to think straight.

“Don’t get into any trouble, Aria.”

It’s incredible how he knows. “I won’t. I’ll see you later.”

It’s Friday, which means I have History first thing. I’m dreading that class, but at the same time, I want to get this situation with Professor Denver done and over with as quickly as possible.

When something bothers me, I have to do whatever’s in my power to bring it to an end, or I won’t have peace. I’m going to do this whether I like it or not.

Hopefully, then, I’ll understand why he gives me such bad grades when I do my best.

As soon as I enter the lecture hall, I spot Ryder. He’s seated right behind me even though he could’ve chosen anywhere else to sit down, and his eyes are on me as I approach my seat.

And yes, I could’ve sat anywhere else, too, but this is my usual seat. I refuse to show him that he makes me uncomfortable or something similar. I won’t change my routine because of him.

I drop my bag on the floor and take a seat, ignoring him pointedly. Uncle Barry’s warning crosses my mind fleetingly, but I give it a mental shove. Right now, I’m not too worried about that

Ryder Drexel has the ability to drive me insane with anger.

When Professor Denver walks into the lecture hall a few moments later, he gives me a look that I interpret as a reminder to stay behind after class.

Like I could ever forget.

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10:19 Wed, Feb 18 B

Chapter 11

“Good morning, everyone,” he greets. “Today, we’ll be working on chapter thirteen. Please open the page…

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The lesson commences and I copy the notes he has projected on the whiteboard. I’ve just managed to focus on what he’s saying when someone taps my shoulder.

And by someone I mean Ryder, because he’s the only person seated behind me.

I can’t help myself. I throw him a withering look and he mouths We need to talk.”

I can’t believe this. How did I find myself in this situation with the Alpha heir of our pack? How did I let things go so far? I turn back around, lips closed, and moments later, something lands near my notebook.

The girl seated beside me gives me a look I don’t bother to read. I grab the note and shove it deep in my bag without even looking at it. Out of sight, out of mind.

He sends another one, and this time, I’m pretty sure I’m going insane. I don’t understand his deal at all. This time, I find myself opening the crumpled note, and I read the words:

I didn’t file that complaint.

I arch a brow, shaking my head lightly. What’s wrong with him? Of course, he did! How can he possibly be so shameless?

I scribble a few angry words back. Who did, then?

I throw it at him without looking. The last thing I want is to attract Professor Denver’s attention and strengthen his reasons for giving me bad grades.

His answer is frustrating.

This is what I want to talk to you about.

I realize that I’m wasting my time with him when I should be focusing on how my talk with the professor is going to go. Thankfully, he doesn’t try to communicate with me again. Maybe he’s finally realized that I’m not stupid enough to believe his ludicrous story.

I’m not sure why he’s even bothering. Why does he care about what I think? Why is he trying to explain himself to me?

A flicker of doubt crosses my mind. What if he truly had nothing to do with it?

My thoughts all scramble when the lesson comes to an end. My Heart slams against my chest, and I pack my things into my bag slowly while everyone else heads toward the exit.

A few minutes later, it’s just me and the professor.

But wait. Someone else has stayed behind.

Want to guess who?

Professor Denver moves closer to us, hands in his pockets. “Is there a problem, Mr. Drexel? Is there anything I can do for you?”

He asks this with a smile on his lips, politely.

Ryder’s answer is rude. “Yeah, actually.”

A flicker of something crosses Professor Denver’s eyes. It looks like worry to me. “I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps we can discuss this another time? Right now, I have a meeting with Miss Murdock and-”

“My problem is concerning her,” he claims, and my heart skips a beat and I feel nauseous all of a sudden. I can’t move, think,

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Chapter 11

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or even breathe. I’m hardly blinking. “You filed a complaint against her as a medic. You suggested she be taken out to the

team.”

It’s like someone threw a bucket of ice-cold water at me.

What?

Professor Denver looks comfortable and clears his throat. “Yes. She hasn’t been performing well, and as a scholarship student, scoring the highest grades is a requirement for her to keep studying here. She doesn’t need the extracurricular activity. Besides, it was only a suggestion. I don’t have the power to make such changes.”

Ryder stands up, and I suck in a breath as I raise my head to look at him. His eyes are strictly on the professor. “I don’t care about what your intentions were. Either you revoke it, or everyone will know you fuck your students. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I don’t have proof against you. I do.”

I’m horrified. Professor Denver’s pale, and his eyes are wide in shock. “Mr. Drexel, I—”

Ryder steps so close to him that their noses are almost touching I haven’t managed to close my mouth yet. “Are you really going to try to deny it? Do you want to go down that route with me?”

An awfully tense moment passes, then the professor turns away and says, “You’re both dismissed.”

I head out before he does, quickening my step so I can put as much distance between myself and that awful situation. He comes after me, calling my name.

When I don’t answer him, he scoffs and asks, “Why are you running from me exactly?”

Angrily, I ask, “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

Ryder sounds slightly amused. “No. I thought I was helping you. But do enlighten me.”

I stop and whirl around to look at him. “Now, he’ll make my life even worse, and he’ll give me worse grades than he did before! I’m going to lose this scholarship and it’ll be all your faul!!”

He stares at me for a few moments, brows furrowed, then asks, “Do you think he grades your papers unfairly?”

I scoff. “A little bit, but…where are you going?”

He doesn’t answer me, and I realize he’s heading right back to the lecture hall.

“No!” I exclaim, going after him. “What are you doing!?”

When it’s clear that he won’t answer me, I decide to get as far away from this place as possible. Oh, no. What have I done? What the heck is going on with my life?

Uncle Barty is going to kill me.

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