The Ice Alpha’s Mate (Aria and Ryder) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

ARIA

I try to ignore my anxious thoughts as I follow the woman, in wolf form, through the forest.

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When she first shifted, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Her wolf was different from all the others I’d seen before. I asked myself if I looked the same way and realized I already knew the answer.

Ryder told me he’d seen my wolf, and claimed it was the most magnificent sight he’d ever beheld.

Her fu was cream-colored, nearly white, and she was enormous In wolf form, she was much bigger than me. I walked alongside her only because I insisted. She wanted me to ride her but I figured we’d probably go too fast and I want to take a proper look at our surroundings so I can make my way on my own back if I need to.

Though there’s something deep inside of me convincing me that I can trust her, I can’t be too sure.

It’s almost impossible to see too far ahead, so I’m glued to her side and watching where I step. The last thing I need is to hurt my ankle again and make it impossible for me to walk. Naturally, we don’t exchange a word. In any case, I’m too lost in my thoughts to even think about starting a conversation.

I know this is a smart decision, but have I mentioned that I’m worried about Ryder?

I step on a sharp-edged rock and almost trip. The woman gives me a look before continuing. I know what it means and she didn’t have to say anything.

I could’ve shifted, but I don’t want to. Something is stopping me from doing so-a fear I don’t understand.

After about two hours of walking, and yes, my feet are killing me the woman stops and howls loudly. The sound is pleasing to my ears. Wolves I can’t see howl back, and then she looks at me before jerking her massive head in the direction of the dark path in front of us.

Breathing in deeply, I walk ahead of her, unsure of why she wants me to go first. I allow myself to feel suspicious, but I keep walking. If the worst has to happen, it will. At this point, I can’t turn back. I can only hope that I made the right decision.

A scream forms in my throat when I’m approached by two wolves, but it dies down when I realize they’re Nocturns. They sniff me, then turn their attention to the woman behind me. They’re equally as big as her and just as majestic.

I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I look like this when I shift.

I keep walking. The path darkens even more due to the thicker pushes blocking the way. I glance at the woman uncertainly, but she nods at me so I keep going.

At last, I reach the settlement she talked about so much and I’m in awe. “Wow”

I count a total of twenty treehouses, all of them built beautifully with lit interiors. Out here, I doubt they have electricity, so they have to be surviving with candles and bonfires.

Even so, this place is beautiful, just like the Nocturns are. I look around, spinning until I feel dizzy.

Some children walk past me, dressed similarly to the woman. Of course, they don’t have their wolves and will only shift when they turn twenty-one. They hardly pay attention to me,

There are three large wooden structures on the ground. The doors are all closed, so I have no idea what they’re supposed to be.

Behind me, someone touches my shoulder. My heart skips a bea, then I force myself to calm down when I see her familiar face. She’s fastening a clean robe around her body. “Welcome to our humble abode, Aria.”

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10:01 Mon, Mar 2 M

Chapter 112

“I’m…I don’t know what to say.”

“Not what you were expecting?”

“No.”

“It’s very simplistic.”

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“But there’s an table beauty to it.” I claim. “This place is peaceful. I can feel it. And you’ve never been found?”

She shakes her head. “People rarely come this close these days. It’s safe to say that our kind has lost its taste for adventure. Besides, we’d be mistaken as rogues even if we were found. Come, I want to show you something.”

We head toward one of the wooden structures on the ground. She opens the door and we head in. Though it’s dark, I make out a long dining table with wooden benches tucked underneath it. This has to be a kind of dining room.

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“This is where we meet, and eat,” she explains. “Usually, during the day, this place is never empty. We all take turns preparing our meals, even our leaders. We like to promote fairness. Would you like something to drink?”

I touch my throat. “Some water. Please.”

She hands me a wooden cup, and we head outside. I bring it to my lips and take slow sips. The water is cool and refreshing.

“Over there,” she indicates to another small building, “is where we hold our meetings. It is off limits on regular days. And lastly, that building over there is our kitchen. The treehouses you see are where everyone lives. Some are here alone. Others have families. It depends.”

Every tree with a house has a ladder attached to it so people can make their way up.

“In total,” she continues, “we’re fifty people. Only five are children. It might not seem like a lot, but we’re proof of these numbers. Everyone here has a story to tell.”

I meet her eyes and see tears in them, but she blinks and they’re gone in an instant. It makes me wonder if I saw right. She adds, “Only a Nocturn can understand another’s pain.”

After a moment of silence, I mention, “I never asked for your naine.”

She wraps her arms tightly around herself. “I don’t have a name lost my identity years ago along with everyone else. You can refer to me as ‘you. That’s perfectly fine by me.”

“Okay.”

“Everyone’s gone to bed, except for the hunters. Tomorrow morning, I’ll introduce you to everyone. You can stay in my cabin for the night. Remember, you’re free to leave whenever you like.”

Before I can even have a chance to think about Ryder, she puts her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. The goddess will take care of things for you. Put some trust in her.”

“Th

She

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